Musicians in Residence

In 2011 our community developed a Musicians in Residence relationship for professional musicians.  This formal agreement exchanges studio, rehearsal, and performance space for monthly music leadership in morning worship, our evensong services, or benefit concerts.  Our music director coordinates the schedule for music leadership for the congregation and the office coordinates building use on a quarterly basis.

In 2013 we developed a similar opportunity for accomplished middle and high school student musicians.  Exploring Music Leadership helps young people develop an appropriate repertoire for paid performance opportunities.  The church serves as a place enrolled musicians can interview or shadow professional musicians, develop a resume for use in seeking work as young musicians, and share their emerging leadership in a supportive setting.  Contact either our music director or pastor for possible enrollment and participation. 

 LoganThane Brown

Logan Thane Brown moved to Portland to pursue a career at David G. Monette Corporation building custom made trumpets. He attended college at the University of Madison-Wisconsin studying trumpet performance under Professor John Aley.    

Mr. Brown has performed in various groups in Wisconsin such as The Madison Savoyards Orchestra, The Capitol City Band, and The Madison Symphony Orchestra. He aspires to pursue his career as a performer and teacher in the Portland community. In addition to playing with The Portland Colombia Symphony Orchestra

Mr. Brown is a freelance trumpet player and the leader of a newly formed New Orleans style brass band. When he's not playing the trumpet, Mr. Brown enjoys exploring the wealth of natural beauty Oregon has to offer.

Stephanie Cooke is a versatile piano performer and instructor with a passion for making artistic expression a reality to aspiring musicians of all levels and ages through performance and instruction. She recently received her Masters in Piano Performance at Portland State University as the piano department's graduate teaching assistant under the study of Professor Lisa Marsh, Professor Darrell Grant and Dr. Susan Chan.  

In her own performing and piano instruction, she aims to meld concepts from the classical and jazz genres to create a more unique and innovative musical scope. Stephanie engages in versatile keyboard performances including benefit concerts, jazz ensemble gigs, cocktail hours, graduation ceremonies, solo vocal/instrumental recitals, wedding ceremonies, funeral services, and church services in Oregon and Washington. She is also engaged in various musical projects and recordings in the Portland area.  

Megan Cronin offers beginning violin lessons to adults.  She has been playing violin for about 18 years. Her first experiences were in school orchestras, she then moved on to folk and rock bands.  Currently, she is a permanent member of the Portland-based band The Tummybuckles as well as working toward a degree in music from Portland State University.

Megan says, “Most of my experience with violin is playing in bands so though I have a classical background and am currently studying classical style,  I will encourage improvisation (my favorite part of music!) in my students.  I believe this is a skill that is essential for a musician to have to play with non-classical groups and to fully express themselves through music. 

I teach exclusively to adult students because I find it incredibly admirable when adults decide to pick up an instrument, especially one as challenging as the violin.  I want to create an encouraging, comfortable, fun environment during my lessons.”

http://www.musiclessons.com/megancronin/?rel=search

Felix Lilly is a life-long Portlander  and enjoys developing contacts to support his love of  traveling  and playing organ.

A graduate of Benson High School, Felix began piano as a young child and has more recently worked to transfer these keyboard skills to the organ.  Felix says, “I have been to Germany and British Columbia playing organs in churches and cathedrals, and have also played a handful of nice organs in my hometown of Portland, Oregon.” 

When Meg applied to be a MIR with us she said, “I would love to be considered for a position with your church as a Musician in Residence. I have preformed and taught professionally for over 10 years on flute, piano and voice and would love to be able to serve your congregation as well as create and teach in your building spaces. I teach mainly college students and they are all very excited at the prospect of being at your church and learning there, as well as helping you out where we can.  Ms. Dixon is a PhD candidate in Music at George Fox University.