McKenna Glorioso is a musician, educator, and arts administrator based in Cleveland. McKenna has two degrees in Violin Performance: a Bachelor of Music from McGill University and a Master’s Degree from the Cleveland Institute of Music with a concentration in Suzuki Pedagogy. Although their primary instrument is violin, McKenna enjoys playing many instruments including the viola, piano, electric bass, and theremin.
As a performer, McKenna is a violinist in the Akron Symphony Orchestra, Concertmaster of the Suburban Symphony, and plays violin and sings in the Cleveland-based dreampop band Wish Queen. McKenna founded and manages Ensemble Mercury, a string quartet that plays for events around Northeast Ohio. She also plays frequently with the Cleveland Chamber Symphony, Blue Water Chamber Orchestra, and the Cleveland Pops Orchestra. In 2023, McKenna joined the national tour for “Our Planet: Live in Concert,” performing over 50 shows and traveling to over 30 states in just three months.
McKenna was a resident Teaching Artist at Rainey Institute from 2018 – 2022, which fostered a belief in accessible music education for all and a deep connection to the Cleveland community. In 2023 they joined the Suzuki faculty at The Music Settlement, where they teach violin and viola, lead group classes, and assist with outreach events.
Finally, McKenna made their debut as a composer in 2023 through Maelstrom Collaborative Arts’ Cadre showcase. Along with their collaborators, they curated, presented, and performed in the work “Human/Nature,” an interactive art, music, and dance installation. They have since been a collaborator and performer for concerts at the Cleveland Uncommon Sounds Project and Maelstrom Collaborative Arts.
As an administrator, McKenna has extensive experience in fundraising, starting at their alma mater, McGill University. She started as a caller in the university Phonathon and eventually moved into more experienced roles, connecting alumni with opportunities to give at a higher level. In Cleveland, McKenna has worked in fundraising roles at Rainey Institute and Inlet Dance Theatre. She also has experience in marketing and outreach for nonprofit organizations. McKenna’s artistic ability combined with a keen understanding of administrative systems makes her an innovator and leader in the arts world.