About Us

The Young Organist Collaborative was started in 2001 as a ministry of St. John’s Episcopal Church in Portsmouth, NH in response to a gift of $1,000 by Bishop Douglas Theuner on the occasion of the blessing and dedication of St. John's new Letourneau Op. 75 organ (pictured right). Presenting the check to Dianne Dean, who was at that time organist and choir director, Bishop Theuner charged St. John's with the responsibility of helping young people learn to play the pipe organ and become the next generation of church organists.

YOC was formed to develop this ecumenical ministry and has enjoyed great success since the first group of students began lessons in the fall of 2002. Funded by private donations, YOC has provide scholarships for organ lessons to more than 130 youth in New Hampshire, Maine, and Massachusetts.  

The YOC is governed by a committee of members that currently include:  Richard Benefield, Ray Cornils, Justin Dubravsky, Sue Emerson, David Kenney, Sr., Andrew Maurice, Jennifer McPherson, Lisa Pampreen, Wendell Purrington, & Donna Saunders.