Meet Our Leadership Team!

The following special individuals are responsible for all aspects of this 2010 Pipe Organ Encounter. We are very grateful for their tremendous commitment of time and effort.

Dr. John Michniewicz - Co-Director
Dr. John, along with Stephen Roberts, lead the POE team, including all teachers and volunteers, and have been instrumental in developing the week’s curriculum and special events. John, in addition to his church position as Minister of Music, United Congregational Church,  Bridgeport, one of our recital locations, is the Assistant Professor and Director of the Academic Music Program at Sacred Heart University, Fairfield, our host facility.

Stephen Roberts - Co-Director and Faculty Coordinator
Steve is the District Convener for the American Guild of Organists Connecticut and Rhode Island local chapters, has participated and led prior POEs in Region I, and is the powerhouse behind launching this year’s event. He has tirelessly built the agenda, helped secure recitalists and faculty to make this a strong program for all involved. Steve, in addition to his church position as Director or Music, St. Peter’s RC Church in Danbury, is the Adjunct Professor of Organ Performance at Western Connecticut State University. He is a tireless enthusiast in promoting the organ as music teacher, global recitalist and lecturer.

Michael Lantowski - Registrar
Mike is responsible for all interaction and coordination with our 40-students. To sign them up, assign them to the individual session teachers, and get them to/from our POE week. Michael is Organist and Director of Music for Saint Pius X Catholic Church in Fairfield, Organist for Temple Israel in Westport, and the Sub-Dean of the Greater Bridgeport AGO Chapter.

Frank Martignetti - Publicity
Frank is responsible for helping “get the word out” to prospective POE students, area musicians, music teachers, and the public about our Program, and the special recital events that will be open to the public. Frank is the Director of Music, Saint Paul’s Lutheran Church, Director of Choral Activities & Adjunct Professor of Music at the University of Bridgeport, and Secretary for the Greater Bridgeport AGO Chapter.

RoseAnne Homola - Services Coordinator
RoseAnne is responsible for all the logistics of our POE week, the housing, food, transportation, security, chaperones. In addition to being church organist for St. Cyril’s & Methodius Church, RoseAnne is the Dean of the Greater Bridgeport AGO Chapter, and an Event Specialist with Reed Exhibitions worldwide.

John Polo - Communications/Funding Development
John is responsible for the overall budget and funding sponsorship for the POE program. As a seasoned global executive in the computer industry he is also responsible for all communications for the POE team, including the web site. John is Chair, Professional Concerns & Membership for the Greater Bridgeport AGO Chapter, the Treasurer for the Dr. M. Louise Miller Scholarship Fund, and Co-Chair with John Michniewicz for the very successful annual Pipe Screams Halloween Concert that benefits the chapter M. Louise Miller Scholarship fund. John is also a Board Trustee for the Greater Bridgeport Symphony and Connecticut Valley Theatre Organ Society.

Jeffrey Wood - Co-Facilities Coordinator & Faculty
Jeff, working with Paul Thoma, is responsible for securing and coordinating the logistics of our 20+ pipe organ practice locations for use during the POE week. Jeffrey is also a faculty member for the POE.

Paul Thoma – Co-Facilites Coordinator
Paul, working with Jeffrey Wood is responsible for securing and coordinating the logistics of our 20+ pipe organ practice locations for use during the POE week. Paul is a much needed Sunday substitute throughout the New Haven and Greater Bridgeport AGO Chapter coverage areas. He is also a Member-at-Large of the Greater Bridgeport AGO Chapter.

Juan Cardona, Sr. - Treasurer
Juan, along with John Polo, is responsible for all financial responsibilities for the POE plan, week’s activities, and reporting to the AGO national organization. Juan is Treasurer for several organizations including the Connecticut Valley Theatre Organ Society, where the POE will host a special event at the Thomaston Opera House and its Marr & Colton theatre pipe organ.

Meet Our Wonderful Support Team!

This type of event requires the assistance of so many others. We would like to acknowledge the special help of:

Ruth Cernera – Board, Member at Large

Carole Fanslow – Board, Past Dean, Historian, Placement

Allen Fanslow – Board, Newsletter

Brad Gesler – Board, Member at Large

Juliann Janowski – Board, Member at Large, and part of the POE Services Coordination Team.

Michael Karpilow – Board, Treasurer, and POE photographer/video operator for the week.

Flora Major – Board, Past Dean, and part of the POE Service Coordination Team working with our students regarding transportation.