It’s been a long time since I’ve written a blog post, so there’s quite a lot to catch up on! This past April, I moved from Atlanta to Columbia, South Carolina. The capital of SC is about 200 miles due east of Georgia's capital; it’s close enough that driving back to see old friends is totally doable over a long weekend. After four years as Associate Director of Music at Glenn Memorial UMC, I made the decision to move on to a new role, that of Associate DoM at Trinity Cathedral, here in Columbia.
Trinity Cathedral, Columbia SC
Being back in the Episcopal church has been enlivening and comforting, and I’ve relished the opportunity to once again play and sing from the hymnal with which I grew up. This job has also introduced me to a perfect marriage of personnel and liturgy: my colleagues in the Music Department, Paul and Laura, are stellar musicians and wonderful people. I’m grateful for how welcome and supported they’ve made me feel in my first two months. And then, the liturgy! I have always hoped I might end up in a church that parallels the intensity of a Cathedral in the Church of England, and Trinity comes the closest out of anywhere else I’ve worked: the chorister program is healthy and vibrant, there’s a strong sense of community in parish life, and there are rich offerings in worship, including weekly Evensongs and Choral Eucharists (with choral mass settings) during the program year. On top of this, the staff is full of lovely, competent people, and I count myself lucky to be part of it. At the start of May, I experienced a taste of how busy the rehearsal routine will be, come September, and while it felt overwhelming in my first weeks, I could already tell that this position will be life-giving for me and the opposite of draining. The choir is also full of wonderful people, whom I will enjoy getting to know more as the months go by.
Church job aside, I have been pleasantly surprised by how nice Columbia is! We have yet to reach the most humid/hot part of summertime, but I am well equipped to battle the sweat with my apartment complex’s sparkling pool. My new flat is very nice (also to my cat’s satisfaction), and I have discovered a handful of beautiful nature paths. I’m finally getting back into running and continue to enjoy frequent visits to the gym, and life feels good - if only I could tell my past self, writing this blog in the depths of despair five years ago, that things will soon get better!
A view of the Congaree River from my apartment complex
Professionally, I have enjoyed several fruitful recital trips in the past couple of years, especially my trip to Albuquerque last summer, where I had the honor of performing at the Fourth Annual Reuter Organ Festival and was hosted by the inspirational Maxine Thevenot. Later in the summer, I enjoyed playing lunchtime concerts at Truro (a happy reunion with the Father Willis!) and Lichfield Cathedrals. This coming year, I look forward to playing the inaugural recital of Trinity’s quarterly Pre-Evensong recital series in October, and I can’t wait to perform on the EM Skinner organ at St. Luke’s, Evanston in April 2026. It will be very special to return to this organ where I first learned to play pedals, master the swell box, and press pistons. And then, in August 2026, I return to the Motherland for several organ recitals, including at Coventry, St Paul’s, and Wells Cathedrals. It blows my mind that I’ll get to make music in these beautiful spaces. I've also enjoyed writing a couple pieces for two different church choirs, recently. I am always grateful to flex my composing muscle.
The FAGO requirements, all examined over the course of two days in early June