History

Alabaster International, an IRS recognized 501(c)(3) nonprofit arts and education organization, was founded in 1991 by Mary McCormack, M.M.  Concerts and musical dramas are presented in schools, orphanages, state & federal prisons, emergency shelters, low income and high risk communities.  Over 500,000 individuals in Pennsylvania, South Dakota, West Virginia, Ohio, Maryland, Alabama, Florida and Colorado, as well as Honduras, Nicaragua and Jamaica have been infused with the inspiration and energy of music, drama, art and dance.Leadership, Character Building, Creative Peace Keeping, Conflict Resolution,  Drug & Alcohol Prevention and Bullying Prevention are taught through the arts.  Professional concerts are presented in  neighborhoods, schools, and prisons, inspiring and reinforcing the maximization of each individual’s potential. 

Alabaster’s comprehensive educational programs involve students learning side-by-side with professional performers in concerts, workshops and missions in the local, national and inter-national communities, actively seeking and teaching world-peace and dialogue with peoples of all races, nations, religions and colors, at the grass roots level.

History and major accomplishments

*1991 Founded by Mary McCormack.  8 concerts + 6 workshops in elementary schools in Greensburg area.  Performing Arts Camp, Rosebud Indian Reservation, South Dakota

*1992 32 concerts & workshops, elementary schools in Southwestern Pennsylvania.  Concert Tour and Leadership Workshops, Montego Bay, Jamaica.  (23 schools and orphanages)

*1993 80+ concerts with professional musicians at elementary schools, nursing homes and prisons across Pennsylvania, West Virginia.  Drug & Alcohol Prevention workshops and concerts.  Summer Musical Theatre Camps, Westmoreland and Fayette Counties in urban and isolated rural communities.

*1994 Average of 100 concerts per year tri-state area.  First Promise House Project:  home renovated and sold at cost.   Elementary & High School concerts Opera and American History.

1995-2000 Leadership Workshops, Bullying Prevention Concerts 100+ per year.   Promise House Project:  1 home in Jeannette and 1 home in Greensburg.  Concert tours in West Virginia, Colorado, Alabama and Florida.  Rwanda Embassy meeting.

2000-2006 Alabaster Children’s Theatre opened, Greensburg.  100 students per year ages 5 through 18, After school lessons, productions.  Teen Ambassador Tour, Jamaica.  100+ school assemblies per year.  Prodigal Drug & Alcohol Prevention program in 7 school districts, SW PA.

2004-2008 Honduras & Nicaragua Concert Tours & Leadership Workshops Nuestros Pequenos Hermanos Orphanage Network.  Honduran Embassy meetings.  On-going school assemblies, concerts in prisons, drug rehab and nursing homes.

2009-present Alabaster Center created, including Alabaster Theatre and Little Mozarts Performing Arts Pre-School.  On going concerts at prisons, nursing homes, schools, homeless shelters and neighborhoods throughout Greensburg and Westmoreland County.

2010 K.A.R.A.T. School partnership, Performing Arts curriculum, internships and arts-based community service projects with high school students.

Missions Near and Far
*1500+ assemblies and 200+ Promise Project Drug & Alcohol Prevention and Fine Arts Workshops in schools in southwestern PA and across the United States
*267 Prison Concerts in state & federal prisons 

*22 Emergency Youth Shelter Concerts & Workshops, Greensburg, PA (1998-present)
*Alabaster’s own “habitat” project for low-income families in Jeannette & Greensburg
*1994-2001 Maximization of Human Potential concert tours in Honduras, Nicaragua & Jamaica

Director, Mary McCormack

A professional singer, teacher, producer, author, composer and recording artist, founded Alabaster in 1991. She has performed throughout the United States and internationally, displaying her talents as diplomat, teacher and concert artist, developing and implementing effective projects from Honduras to Appalachia.  Miss McCormack holds a Bachelor of Music Education degree from Seton Hill College, a Master of Music degree from Duquesne University, a Certificate of Opera Production from the Metropolitan Opera House, NYC, and has done graduate study at Indiana University, Bloomington, IN.
Wondering Where We’ve Been?  

Click HERE for a listing of the many places we’ve performed!

Alabaster offers a variety of performances in the community including:
  • Musical Theatre
  • Concerts & Plays
  • Bullying Prevention
  • Leadership Training
  • School Assemblies
  • Neighborhood Concerts
  • Artists in the Park
  • Nursing Homes
  • Homeless Shelters
  • Youth Corrections Center