Edmund Needham, Music Director
Born into a musical family, the son of a swing band leader and jazz singing mother, Edmund Needham’s musical training started at an early age. Accordion lessons for his seventh birthday gave him the music reading skills that won his acceptance into the nationally renown St. Kilian Boychoir of Farmingdale, New York. It was with that organization he learned the choral standard repertory, including the performance of large-scale works that included adult choirs and orchestra, under the baton of conductors such as Leonard Bernstein and Seiji Ozawa.
It was also at St. Kilian RC Church that Mr. Needham had the formative exposure to world-class organ repertory and performance. Though organ studies did not commence until 14 years of age, he was named Assistant Organist at St. Kilian by age 17, began organ studies with Vernon deTar of the Juilliard School at 18, was accepted at Juilliard at 19, and became Organist at St. Kilian at 24 years. Mr. Needham eventually closed the circle by becoming the Director of Music at the very church where he had started as a boy singer many years prior. While continuing his organ studies with Jon Gillock, Mr. Needham studied composition and choral conducting at the C W Post Center of Long Island University. Mr. Needham has performed in well over 100 churches and concert venues in the greater New York metropolitan area, and is known for his accessible interpretation of difficult 20th century music for the organ. His association with the United Methodist Church of Port Washington began in 1985, as Assistant Organist. He was named Director of Music in 1999, the position he holds today.
Nancy Sutherland, Sunday School Director
“I believe our Sunday school kids are the future of our church. It’s an honor, a challenge, and a joy to serve them.” In addition to her teaching experience, Nancy is a licensed clinical social worker with 40 years experience in social work (now semi retired). She has been involved with this church here in Port Washington for about 15 years.
Diane Kasey, Sunday School Teacher
Diane has been an active member of the church for over 15 years. She has served on almost every committee or mission in the church. Both her and her family have been members and her children attended Sunday school for multiple years. She continues to teach Sunday school because she loves being a part of young lives connecting to God.