Dr. Michael Stefanek
Organist
Michael Stefanek is originally from Green Bay and is excited to be organist at First United Methodist Church. He joined our staff in 2010. In addition to church music Michael teaches private lessons, accompanies vocal students at UWGB, and maintains an active recital schedule.
Michael is known for providing exciting concert programs that feature a diverse selection of organ repertoire. As a soloist he has performed throughout the United States at places including the Cathedral Church of St. Paul (Detroit, MI), Trinity Cathedral (Cleveland, OH), St. Norbert Abbey (De Pere, WI), Trinity Episcopal Cathedral (Davenport, IA), Hill Auditorium (Ann Arbor, MI), Presbyterian Homes' Elliot Chapel (Evanston, IL), and Park Church Congregational, U.C.C. (Grand Rapids, MI). In October he will be making his Washington, D.C. debut at National City Christian Church. Michael is also in frequent demand for collaborative performances.
In December of 2010 he played continuo for Handel's Messiah and served as organist for the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay's commencement ceremony held later in the month. Both events were held at the Weidner Center for the Performing Arts in Green Bay, which houses a brilliant 68 rank Casavant pipe organ. In January of 2011 he served as organist for the All-State Collegiate Choir Concert at St. Francis Xavier Cathedral in Green Bay during the Wisconsin Choral Directors Association State Convention.
Michael's warm personality and outstanding talent has helped him to earn numerous awards, scholarships, and fellowships throughout his academic life. In the spring of 2001 he won second prize at the chapter level of the American Guild of Organists Regional Competition for Young Organists held in Cleveland, OH. In 2010 he was awarded a Rackham Graduate Student Research Grant that funded a chamber orchestra for Handel's Concerto Op.4, No.4, which was performed on his second dissertation recital in Ann Arbor, MI.
Michael earned his Doctor of Musical Arts and Master's degrees in organ performance at the University of Michigan where he studied with James Kibbie. He received his Bachelor of Music degree in organ performance from Oberlin College Conservatory of Music where he studied with David Boe. While at Oberlin he also studied organ improvisation with James David Christie and harpsichord with Lisa Goode Crawford. Michael began his organ studies with Ruth Tweeten and had the unique opportunity to receive coaching with Martin Jean at the Lutheran Summer Music Program in 1996 and 1997. Prior to pursuing organ, Michael was an accomplished pianist having studied with Bishop Michael Bent of Appleton, WI.
Michael is an active member of the American Guild of Organists and serves on the board for the Northeast Wisconsin Chapter. He has attended A.G.O. National Conventions, most recently, in Chicago and Minneapolis. In his spare time he enjoys traveling, bike riding, going to the gym, playing with his dog, hanging out with friends, and visiting with family.