Spencer serves as our Director of Music Ministry.

 

Spencer holds a Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance from Millikin University, where he sang with the prestigious Millikin University Choir. Following his studies at Millikin, Spencer received his Master of Music in Choral Conducting and Master of Music in Vocal Performance from Ball State University. As an educator at Ball State, Spencer taught collegiate voice lessons, curriculum choirs, and assisted the opera program. Spencer also served as Interim and Assistant Director of Music at High Street United Methodist Church.

 

Spencer’s conducting career was shaped in part by his residency at St. Albans Cathedral in England. He has since led collegiate, community, youth, church, and professional ensembles in a wide range of repertoire, and was a National Finalist for the American Prize in Opera Conducting. One of Spencer’s main philosophies is largely influenced by the works of Alice Parker and the Shape Note choral tradition, where there should always be space for one to share their voice and join in song. As a singer, Spencer has performed in more than 25 operas in leading, supporting, and ensemble roles, and has appeared as a soloist and chorister in both professional and collegiate concert performances. In addition to his vocal and conducting training. Spencer began his musical journey as a jazz guitarist and continues to perform on guitar, piano, and bass.

 

 

Wes serves as our Associate Pastor as well as leader of our Contemporary Worship Band.  

 

After graduating from The King’s Christian High School, Wes attended Temple University, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts in Communications and Theater. While attending Temple, Wes commuted weekly to New York City to train with the Second City in improvisational theater. Upon graduation, Wes moved to Chicago and continued studying improv at Second City and the Annoyance Theater.

 

While in Chicago, Rev. Allen found himself asking God for direction one night and received the answer – his call to ministry. Wes graduated with a Master of Divinity from Princeton Theological Seminary. He completed his Field Education at Asbury United Methodist Church in Norristown, Pennsylvania and First Presbyterian Church of Moorestown. He would later complete his Clinical Pastoral Education at the Elizabeth Boggs Center at Robert Wood Johnson Medical Center.

 

Wes plays the guitar and harmonica in the Worship band and also sings. He has a ‘side gig’ with local band ‘The Trophy Husbands’ made up of friends and members of FPC Moorestown. You can see them at the Strawberry Festival!

Lauren Fittipaldi is a Youth Church leader, Choir Director, and PreK-12 certified Teacher who graduated from Westminster Choir College with a double major in Music Education and Sacred Music, and from William Paterson University with a Masters in Educational Leadership. Working with children and young adults to help grow their love of God and music is truly her greatest passion. She is so excited to be serving First Presbyterian Church of Moorestown as their Director of Youth and Worship Arts!

 

Lauren has performed major choral works all around the world with Westminster Kantorei, Westminster Symphonic Choir, Delaware Choral Scholars, the New York Philharmonic, the Philadelphia Orchestra, Juilliard 415, and the Princeton Symphony Orchestra. Over the past four years, she has performed with the Delaware Choral Scholars, who won several International Choral Competitions and is currently ranked #1 Choir in the World. She also enjoys performing a variety of genres as a solo artist and works to translate this expertise over to the choral rehearsal to enrich her students’ experiences of these many types of music.

 

Lauren is overjoyed and honored to be a part of the FPCM congregation. She knows her collaboration with the whole community will enrich the lives of the young people she leads and help them cultivate their relationship with God.

Sean Sterling Baker joins the church serving as its primary organist and pianist, accompanying the Chapel Choir, Adult Choir and Choristers.

 

Sean is an active chamber musician, private piano teacher, collaborative pianist and member of the SWJAGO from Mount Laurel, NJ. He holds his degrees in Music Performance from Rowan University, having studied under Professor of Piano Veda Zuponcic and organist Dr. Gordon Turk.

 

Sean is eager to continue stewarding his musical gifts and develop his skills in this community, inspiring all generations to glorify God through music.