Mandie McMurdie
Artistic Director

​Mandie McMurdie is the founder and Artistic Director of the Summer Women's Chorus. A native of Fort Worth, Texas, Mandie holds a Bachelor’s of Music in Choral Education from the University of Texas at Arlington, where she studied under Rebecca Winston and Jing Ling Tam. After graduation, Mandie taught for many years as an elementary music educator in Plano ISD. She later took a break from public school teaching to raise her three children, during which she continued to nurture her passion for music by founding and directing a summer singing group for children and actively participating in her church’s music programs, including directing both youth and adult choirs.

In 2019, Mandie founded the Summer Women's Chorus, providing women with the opportunity to continue singing during the summer months. Now entering its sixth season, the choir has become a community tradition, uniting women in song and offering a unique platform for artistic expression. The Summer Women's Chorus is truly Mandie’s passion project, allowing her to share her love for music and create a space for women to connect, grow, and thrive through choral singing.

Mandie has sung in choirs throughout her professional career including Evening Song and Millennial Choirs and Orchestra. She currently sings with Plano Civic Chorus (PCC) and the Plano Chamber Choir, where she is frequently featured as a soloist. Notable recent performances include singing the soprano solos in Vaughan Williams’ Serenade to Music and Chilcott's Requiem under the baton of the composer himself. Mandie also sings with the small professional vocal ensemble Inspirata and with the Summer Women's Chorus' chamber group, Voces Lucis.

In addition to her role as Artistic Director of the Summer Women's Chorus, Mandie is a private voice teacher at Wylie High School and has taught voice in Wylie ISD for nine years. Her students consistently achieve the highest levels of success, earning exemplary ratings at UIL Solo & Ensemble competitions, and receiving recognition through All-Region and All-State Choirs. Her students are also frequently cast in leading roles in school musicals and community theater productions.

Mandie’s expertise in vocal pedagogy allows her to approach teaching with a focus on building confident, knowledgeable singers. She is deeply committed to instilling a love for singing in her students while emphasizing healthy vocal habits and enhancing their musical literacy. This passion for teaching extends into her work as a choral conductor, where her strong vocal technique and natural ability to build cohesive, expressive ensembles enables her choirs to create rich, emotive performances that resonate with both singers and audiences alike. With a keen understanding of women’s voices, Mandie has a remarkable talent for bringing out the best in her singers, helping them achieve their fullest artistic potential.
​
Mandie resides in Sachse with her husband and three kids. She is an avid thrift shopper, loves spending time with her large extended family, and doing anything and everything music related.