Wendy Bamonte - Director of Music Ministries

Email: Wendy@lakegrovepres.org

Wendy brings to us extensive experience in choral and instrumental conducting having received a Master in Music Education (conducting) from Portland State University and a Master of Music (flute performance) from Boston University. Wendy is from Ashland, Oregon and began conducting church choirs there in 1987. After finishing her Master's Degree and before settling in Portland, Wendy spent a year performing with the Broadway National Tour of Les Miserables. Presently, she freelances and performs with various orchestras in the area including Portland Chamber Orchestra, Sinfonia Concertante, and Eugene Symphony. Wendy has been the director of the Sanctuary Choir at Lake Grove since 1999 and has seen the choir grow from 28 to over 90 members in her tenure.

Leanne Bilstrom - English Handbell Director

Leanne has been directing our Covenant Bell Choir since 1989. She started as a substitute ringer with the choir, and soon became indispensable. Leanne has been a resident of Lake Oswego since 1977, but was born in Iowa and has a nursing degree from the University of Iowa. She's been active in music since fourth grade, playing flute and bassoon; singing in church choirs. Presently, she rings in the Lake Oswego Methodist Church Handbell Choir, where she's been a member for 23 years. Here at Lake Grove Presbyterian, Leanne directs our Covenant Bell Choir as well as Peace Ringers (youth bell choir), providing bells for all ages. "The Handbell music and the ministry brings such joy to my life, I don't know what I'd do without it."

Tori Cumings - Director of Contemporary Worship

Email: Tori@lakegrovepres.org
Tori is the newest member of the LGPC music staff, having come to the church in June 2005. She brings with her a Master of Church Music degree from Western Seminary in Portland, and 13 years of worship leading experience at two churches in the greater Portland area. She is committed to worship as a way of life (Colossians 3:17), and enjoys using music (in all of its genres) as an expression of worship. The registrar at Warner Pacific College in Portland, Tori also teaches business and worship courses at the college.

Mitchell Groh - Organist

Mitch has been our organist since November 1980.  Mitch has never ceased to surprise and bless us with his variety and expertise on the King of Instruments. The members of the Sanctuary Choir have been anchored by Mitch's accompaniment for twenty years. The choir has seen seven directors in this span of time, and Mitch has been a confident and steady anchor. A member of the American Guild of Organists, Mitch began his organ study at age 10 with Florence Carlin, a retired silent-film organist. While still in high school, Mitch was called upon to be the organist /choir director for Pioneer Methodist Church, and later earned a Law degree while maintaining his commitment to Lake Grove!. In addition to his clear devotion to the organ, Mitch has a rich baritone voice, and has taken parts in singing ensembles and in scripture readings.

Beverly Seifert - Director of the Children's/Youth Choir Ministry Program

Beverly has been with LGPC since 2000. She administrates and leads a graded children's/ youth choir program spanning the years from first through 12th grade. Her duties include music selection and preparation, scheduling rehearsals and preparing for Worship for three choirs. She holds a Bachelor of Music in Organ Performance from the College Conservatory of Music in Cincinnati, Ohio. Prior appointments include private teaching of piano and organ, Director of Music, organist, adult and children's choir and bell director. She is an advocate for the development and nurturing of children's spiritual lives through worship participation.

Julie Strong - Director of the Joy Choir

Julie is a veteran elementary school teacher, having had 18 years experience teaching elementary school in Beaverton. She has an Elementary Education degree (BA) from Lewis & Clark College, 1979. Julie also has five years' experience singing in Sanctuary Choir, here and at Bethany Presbyterian Church.