I grew up in Oldham and was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran Church. Some of you already know that I studied organ and piano with Colleen Tucker while I was in junior high and high school. My first organ lessons were at Trinity. I was substitute organist for Mrs. Tucker several times during those years and also played at Trinity for funerals and weddings. We also had many piano studio recitals in the Sanctuary.
After high school, I earned my bachelor’s degree at Augustana College (now Augustana University) in Sioux Falls in music (sacred music emphasis) and a minor in religion. My internship was at First Lutheran Church in Sioux Falls, and I was involved with the chapel musicians on campus. For a while, I also played the organ at Dow Rummel Village for their Sunday afternoon worship service. I earned my master’s degree in church music (organ emphasis) and carillon from the University of Kansas School of Music. (A carillon is a musical instrument of at least 23 bells located outside and played by a keyboard that allows for variation in dynamics through touch.) After that I moved to Macon, Georgia, to pursue my artist’s diploma in organ performance at Mercer University’s Townsend School of Music. I have served several denominations over the years, including Lutheran, Presbyterian, and Episcopal, but I am glad to be back in the Lutheran Church.
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