Volunteer Spotlight on Karen Moorman-Wildman
August 20, 2024 | Wolf Trap Volunteers
Joining the Wolf Trap Foundation volunteer team was an “ah-ha” moment for Karen Moorman-Wildman.
Karen recalled being amazed by her early patron experiences at Wolf Trap. She first visited Wolf Trap in 2021, when she was blown away by the sounds of Diana Ross soaring across the Filene Center lawn. Remembering this feeling a year later, Karen decided to volunteer at Wolf Trap stating, “I didn’t need anyone to come along with me, as I love volunteering, and among other things, this gives my life purpose.”
Joy in Service
Karen sees volunteering at Wolf Trap as a “rewarding and fun time for all.” Since joining in 2022, she has enjoyed serving hundreds of guests at the Gift Shop and at member events.
While it’s easy to be caught up in the perks of volunteering at the Filene Center, Karen often reminds herself not to lose sight of the people she serves. Karen finds joy watching patrons run to get the perfect spot on the lawn. She finds the everyday concertgoers and guests of the National Park to be a delight.
“My fondest experience as a volunteer must be seeing the children’s and some adults’ joyful faces while they take photos with Wolfie,” Wolf Trap’s mascot.
A Community of Arts Lovers
Wolf Trap’s inviting reputation is possible thanks to the warmth of its volunteers. The community of arts lovers is what drew in Karen and keeps her excited to come back every season.
“Everyone is always willing to help everyone, no matter the situation,” says Karen.
The volunteers’ positivity and willingness to provide a helping hand make every shift a stress-free, pleasant environment for fellow volunteers, staff, and visitors.
Karen mentions a certain resemblance between her interactions with loved ones and her Wolf Trap colleagues.
“As a patron, I enjoy watching performances with my family and friends; we sing, dance, eat, and have an enjoyable evening… [We] volunteers share pleasantries during our down time [and] have been known to dance alongside one another during events, too.” The volunteers at Wolf Trap become like family in Karen’s life.
“It Makes my Heart Happy”
Wolf Trap volunteers are not only music lovers but active community members as well. Karen works part-time in the medical field and volunteers equally as much for organizations such as the National Museum for African American History and Culture and Middleburg Film Festival.
A friend often asks her, “are you working for free, again?” to which she laughs and responds, “I am working because it makes my heart happy”— a happiness Karen does not plan on losing any time soon.
New Musical Favorites
Wolf Trap programming is designed to suit diverse musicals tastes. Karen has enjoyed many performances of her favorite genres, including the 50th Anniversary of Hip Hop Celebration in 2023. She also embraces unfamiliar artists that the Filene Center introduces to her.
For example, since attending a Wolf Trap show by Trombone Shorty, Karen has become a fan of his work. Every season at Wolf Trap has something new to offer, and volunteers can experience this first-hand, broadening their musical horizon while surrounded by like-minded people.
An Artistic Home
Karen Moorman-Wildman, looking for a place and friends with whom to celebrate the arts, made it happen by volunteering at Wolf Trap. Like many of her volunteer peers, she finds excitement and reward in assisting patrons during performances and special events. While relatively new to Wolf Trap, Karen quickly discovered her artistic home within the volunteer community.
Read more about the volunteer program and apply to serve on wolftrap.org. If you have any questions about volunteering at Wolf Trap, please call 703.255.1927 or email volunteer@wolftrap.org.
If you’d like to usher at the Filene Center, be a nature guide, or help with patron services, the National Park Service offers a separate volunteer program.