Position Title:
Director of Music Ministry
Main Duties:
My main duties include managing the musical activities at Good Shepherd in a way that enhances the worship service experience and other church activities. This includes the scheduling and leading of musical groups and co-ordinating special music programs. I am also responsible for supervising all paid and volunteer staff, recruiting new members into the music ministry of the church, and evaluation / development of new and existing music programming within the church.
Length of Employment with GSLC:
I began this position on July 1st, 1999. I was previously employed as a choir director and a contemporary pianist.
Immediate family:
My husband Marcus, who is also a musician, currently teaches Clinical Sciences at Logan College of Chiropractic. Between us we have 6 children whose ages range from 20 to 7. Our oldest sons, Sebastian and Christopher, attend the University of Missouri at Columbia; our daughters, Emelie and Rachael, are in the same class at Marquette High School; our youngest sons are Jonny who will start middle school this fall (’04) and Jake who is in elementary school.
Where were you raised (if St. Louis, what part):
I grew up in southwest-suburban Chicago.
Hobbies and "extracurricular" activities:
I enjoy playing the piano and listening to music, picnics in the park and taking walks My newest pastime is nutrition, working out and weight training. I also enjoy reading, traveling, water activities and relaxing in the sun.
What aspect of your job do you find most satisfying:
The most rewarding part of my position is working with the people and getting to know them. It is very rewarding to help people grow musically as they grow spiritually and develop relationships with each other. It is also very exciting to recognize a gift in someone and to help them to develop it and us it to serve God.
What career path led you to your current position with GSLC:
My educational background is in Music Education / Music Therapy. I hold a Bachelor of Music Education from Wartburg College. I have worked as a Music Therapist in the public schools with mentally and physically challenged children and in the Activity Therapy Department on an Acute Psychiatric Unit of a general hospital. I was a stay at home mom for 11 years prior to beginning in this position but I knew I was called to Music Ministry when I began volunteering in a mission congregation directing the choir, planning kids christmas programs, and playing the keyboard. As a member of this congregation I have been a very active volunteer in the Music Ministry since I joined in 1993.
