Director of Worship & Music, Organist/Pianist, Bell Choir Director
dawn@stjohnsonthird.org
Dawn returned to share music at St. John’s in 2014 after her family moved back to the area. (She had been a member of St. John’s while attending Sterling High School and often provided special music as a student.) Prior to her work at St. John’s, she played organ and piano, directed bells, and led music programs at several other churches. She previously taught in both public and private schools and had a piano studio.
At the age of seven, Dawn began piano lessons, first with Pamela Camp, then John Forbish, and Ruth Hedstrom at Sauk Valley Community College; she began organ with Dr. William Roth, Carthage College. At Augustana College, she studied piano with Dr. Sharon Kleinhuizen and organ with Dr. Tom Robin Harris and later studied organ, service leading, and bell conducting with Richard Litterst, MDiv, Rockford College.
She and her husband, Greg are blessed with two children, Gabe and Amy – and a dog named Moon. They all are happy to be welcomed into the St. John’s family.
Dawn’s passion is church music and sharing our Christian faith through song. She has enjoyed memberships in the American Guild of Organists, American Guild of English Handbell Ringers, and the Association of Lutheran Church Musicians. When the pandemic came in 2020, Dawn’s role expanded to include music for the Tri-Church Online Worship community.
She freely welcomes musicians (online and in person) and encourages students to build their skills and share their music. She continues to be grateful to work with so many gifted and faithful musicians!
