First Unitarian Church of Pittsburgh

  605 Morewood Avenue
  Pittsburgh, PA 15213-2999
  412-621-8008

PROGRAM and OPERATIONAL STAFF

PROGRAM STAFF

Jennifer Halperin, Director of Ministries with Children and Youth

Jennifer Halperin has served as Director of Ministries with Children and Youth since 2000. Prior to her position here at First Unitarian Church, she served for ten years as Director of Religious Education with the East Suburban Unitarian Universalist Church in Murrysville, PA. Jennifer received her undergraduate degree from Hamilton College, and she received a Master of Social Work degree from the University of Pittsburgh. Jennifer is a credentialed Religious Educator.

William Larson, Director of Instrumental Music

Bill Larson completed his graduate studies at the Peabody Institute of Johns Hopkins University in 1992.  He has been featured on  WQED-FM's Arhaus Performance in Pittsburgh. In addition to concerto performances with orchestras including the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra and the Cincinnati Symphony, Bill has performed as an orchestral keyboardist with the PSO, the Erie Philharmonic, the Edgewood Symphony Orchestra and the Wheeling Symphony Orchestra. He has played harpsichord continuo on Pitt's Bach and Baroque series, and with the St. Vincent Camerata. As a choir director and organist, Bill has served various churches in Baltimore and Pittsburgh. He is Assistant Conductor for the Renaissance City Choirs, and Keyboardist/Chorus Master for Undercroft Opera.

Nancy Schwartz, Religious Education Assistant

Joel Gilbertson White, Social Justice and Campus Ministry Coordinator

Jon Erik Schreiber, Sanctuary Choir Director

Emily Pinkerton, Folk Orchestra Conductor

Emily received her undergraduate degree in music, Spanish, and French from Butler University. She holds a master's degree in ethnomusicology from the University of Texas. She is proficient on piano, fiddle, guitar, and banjo. In 2004, Emily received a Fulbright Scholarship which enabled her to spend a year in South America studying music of the Andes. She has led several musical ensembles, including the Andean Ensemble at the University of Texas. Currently she teaches in the Calliope Folk Music School, performs frequently in and around Pittsburgh, and has recently released a solo CD recording. You can learn more about Emily and listen to her music by visiting her website at www.emilypinkerton.com.

OPERATIONAL STAFF

Rita Gates, Business Manager

Rita Gates has served as Business Manager since 1997. Prior to her position here at First Unitarian Church, Rita worked in a wide range of organizations. She holds an Associate Degree in Science from Robert Morris University.

Dan Laity, Sexton

Dan Laity has served as Sexton since 1992. After hours, he manages several rental properties that he has refurbished.

Alex Rose, Sunday Receptionist

Prior to her position as Office Assistant and Sunday Receptionist here at First Unitarian Church, Alex Rose worked at South Hills Health System as a Radiologist Technician.

Marlee Keffer, Program Assistant and Wedding Coordinator