Joel Bevington is the director of music at First Lutheran Richmond Beach in Shoreline, WA. His interest in participatory music and music’s ability to break through social barriers has led him to the love of cultivating community singing, driven by his continued study of participatory music in the Baltic States. He is passionate about making connections with others through music, teaching all ages how to enjoy singing and performing together. Along with conducting, he is a professional organist and singer, participating in many ensembles in the Seattle area. Joel studied organ performance at Wheaton College, IL and Emory University. He received his graduate degree in conducting at Louisiana State University and is now happy to call Seattle home while he finishes his doctoral studies at UW.