Michael Plagerman is a Sophomore at Ephrata High School. He received two years of piano instruction from Sue Meenderinck, three years from Carolyn VanderGriend, and one from Preta Laughlin. Me is currently studying organ from Barry Williams, formerly organist at Sacred Heart Catholic Parish is Bellevue.  Michael is the principal organist at Our Savior’s Lutheran in Ephrata.


JoeAnn Park currently attends Lindbergh High School in Renton as a Sophomore.  She has taken six years of piano instruction from Eun Mi Oh.  Since the Pipe Organ Encounter in the summer of 2008, she has also been taking organ lessons from Eun Mi Oh.  JoeAnn plays the piano for church services every week at The Tree of Life Church in Kent.  In her spare time she enjoys hanging out with her friends and family and also enjoys playing tennis.  


Thomas Varas has been exposed to music since childhood thanks to his musical family.   During elementary school Thomas participated in school musicals, plays, sang in the choir, and enjoyed music class where he learned basic music theory.  He also learned recorders, hand bells, and xylophones.  During these years he studied piano.  After moving to Seattle in 2005 he became a parish member at St. James Cathedral where his passion for the organ was inspired.  He takes organ lessons from Martin Olson at Trinity Episcopal Church, Seattle.   Thomas participated in two AGO Pipe Organ Encounters and takes part in Seattle AGO Chapter events.  His favorite organ works are by French romantic composers especially by Vierne, Saint Saëns, and Guilmant. In his free time Thomas enjoys preparing piano parts for his high school jazz ensemble.  He looks forward to continuing his organ studies leading to a profession in the art of organ.






Kyle Kirschenman has played organ for four years and has taken piano lessons for eleven years. He has competed in multiple competitions, including the International Piano Festival and the Helen Crowe Piano Festival in which he placed first. Kyle began to pursue organ under the instruction of Chris Fresolone at St. Andrew’s in Bellevue, Washington. After a time at St. Andrew’s, Kyle began taking lessons from Clint Kraus at St. James. He is currently enrolled as a student of Carole Terry at the University of Washington. Kyle comes from Issaquah, and is a part-time organist at Mary Queen of Peace parish.  


Halden Toy is a freshman at Marysville Pilchuck High School.  He has been playing the organ for approximately 4 years. Halden has attended POEs in Eugene, Oregon, 2006, Spokane, Washington, 2007 and Lincoln, Nebraska, 2008. He has played large instruments such as the Mormon Tabernacle organ and some of the famous organs here in the Puget Sound area, such as the Fritts organ at P.L.U.  Halden is currently studying with Douglas Cleveland.  


Congratulations, young organists!