Bio

Skip has been a pastor in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) since 1975 and has served Seattle-area congregations in Normandy Park, Wallingford and Capitol Hill, as well as another in Satellite Beach, Florida. He is currently a Parish Associate on the staff of Seattle's Madrona Grace Presbyterian Church (www.madronagrace.org).  Madrona Grace is multicultural, multi-racial, intergenerational, politically diverse, and graciously affirming and inclusive.

Skip's passion for music performance and entertaining began as a child and has become a hallmark of his professional career.  Born and raised in West Los Angeles, he studied piano from the age of seven with Ruth Edwards Rayl.  As a protégé of Olive Skiles at Palisades High School, he sang in a select vocal ensemble and performed the role of Pooh-Bah in Gilbert and Sullivan’s comic opera, The Mikado, as well as a leading role in their iconic H.M.S. Pinafore.

He studied voice for six years with Margery Smith Briggs, Professor of Music at Pomona College, in Claremont, California.  While a student there, Skip sang with the college choir, was a vocal soloist, and went on tours with the glee club. He graduated Magna Cum Laude with a double major in history and government in addition to a minor in music, and was elected to Phi Beta Kappa. He then completed a Master of Divinity degree with honors at Fuller Theological Seminary in Pasadena.  While in graduate school, he won the Saunderson Award for his performance in the Western Regional Auditions of the Metropolitan Opera at the University of Southern California.

In Seattle, he spent four seasons with Choral Sounds Northwest, in which he was a frequent soloist.  There followed two seasons in the Seattle Symphony Chorale under the baton of Maestro Gerard Schwarz, (1998-2000). In 2009, he joined Orchestra Seattle | Seattle Chamber Singers, founded by the late Maestro George Shangrow. He sang in the bass section of OSSCS for 11 years. His final season featured five pieces by French female composer, Lili Boulanger (1893-1918). The orchestra and chorus also presented repertoire including Haydn's "Autumn" from The Seasons, Holst's Ode to Death, Handel's masterpiece, Messiah (complete and unabridged), Franck's Symphony in D Minor, and Bach's cantata, Der Himmel Lacht!  

Skip feels fortunate to own two vintage pianos. His pride and joy is a 1921 fully-restored Steinway "M" grand that adorns the living room in his condominium on Seattle's Capitol Hill. The other, a 1980 upright, professional-grade Yamaha U-3, is housed at his second home called Island Magic, at Hartstene Pointe on Harstine Island. Island Magic doubles as a vacation rental, where Skip hosts guests from near and far. Information can be found at www.vrbo.com/90591.