Spartanburg Chapter of the American Guild of Organists

www.spartanburgago.org

spartanburgago@gmail.com

2020 - 2022 

Executive Committee

Dean: Steven J. Nadeau

Sub-Dean: Marcia Andrews

Secretary: John Polo

Treasurer: William C. (Bill) Cooper

Immediate Past Dean: Erica Pauly

Committee Chairs

History: John Bullard

Publicity: Brennan Szafron

Program: Erica Pauly

Professional Concerns: Richard B. Cribb, Jr.

Membership: William C. (Bill) Cooper

Publications: William C. (Bill) Cooper

Communications: Erica Pauly

Hospitality: Diane V. Pickens

Scholarships: Frankie W. Deal

Appointive Positions

Webmaster: Erica Pauly

Facebook: William C. (Bill) Cooper

Parliamentarian: Huger P. Caughman, Jr.

Pedals, Pipes, Pizza: Brennan Szafron

Steve was born in Wiesbaden, Germany, to Command Sgt/Major and Mrs. Guy & Augusta "Gussie" Nadeau. Thereafter, he was raised at Travis Air Force Base, Fairfield, California. He did his formal years of education and graduated with a double major in Humanities and History from California State University, Sacramento, California. He then furthered his course of studies at the Franciscan School of Theology in Berkeley, California, where he successfully completed and achieved his Master's in Divinity and Theology as well as his PhD. He began his formal career in funeral service in 1981. In 1997, he opened his first independently owned funeral home, Nadeau Family Funeral Home in Vacaville, California. He then sold intending on retiring to the upstate of South Carolina. However, Steve was not ready to retire. In 2014, the decision was made with his two business partners to purchase and open mortuary in Northern Spartanburg County in the community of Chesnee. Between his years of experience and Tommy Harris', they collectively bring close to 60 years serving families with dignity and respect.

In his off time, Steve enjoys playing piano for the Chapman Cultural Center, many of the assisted, skilled and independent care centers as well as a church organist for St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church and Liberty United Methodist Church in Spartanburg. He recently became pianist of Worship Care, a specialized ministry for those suffering with Alzheimer's and their care givers. He has an interest in Classic Cadillac Collecting and to currently has three 1970 Cadillac's. He is a member of the South Carolina Funeral Director's Association, Northern Solano Lodge, #2534, Order of Son's of Italy in American and Italian Social Organization of Spartanburg.

Marcia Andrews joined the staff of First Presbyterian Church, Spartanburg, in 1992. As the Associate Music Director and Organist, she directs the Children’s Choir and First Steps programs; recruits and trains music volunteers; serves as organist for Sunday and special worship services and as accompanist for Chancel Choir, Chamber Singers, and Genesis Choir; and assists the pastors and Music Director in planning music for worship. Prior to First Pres, Marcia served as Associate Music Director and Organist for churches in New Castle, PA; New Wilmington, PA; Summerville, SC; Beckley, WV; and Nashville, TN. She is a native of New Wilmington, PA, and holds a BA from Westminster College and a Master of Sacred Music from Scarritt Graduate School. Marcia is a member and past president of the Spartanburg Philharmonic Music Club, and has appeared on the stage and in the orchestra pit for the Spartanburg Little Theater. Marcia is an active member and a past Dean of the Spartanburg Chapter of the American Guild of Organists. She and her husband, Holt, have two children.

John is formerly from Fairfield County Connecticut, a computer science and business management graduate of the University of Connecticut. John is Chief Operating Officer and Co-Founder of Boston-based, Top Flight Technologies, Inc and has a long career as Global Business Executive and Sr. Information Technologist in the high technology industry specializing in new company launches, mergers and acquisitions.

Like many engineers, John made the connection between math and music and has studied piano and organ with several teachers in the Greater New York City area along with being a life-long choir member. He has contributed his business leadership and technology skills to the success of the national American Guild of Organist organization as former Director of Communications and Technology leading the implementation of its ONCARD membership management system for 300+ USA chapters; and driving implementation of web and social media technology for local chapters, regional and national AGO organization events.

In addition to being the Secretary for Spartanburg AGO, John is also the Webmaster and Treasurer for the M. Louise Miller - Paul E Knox Scholarship Fund for the Greater Bridgeport AGO Chapter (CT), Treasurer for the Greenville AGO Chapter (SC) and a choir member at Buncombe United Methodist Church in Greenville.

Bill is a native of Laurens, SC and graduated from Presbyterian College, received a Master’s in History from Wake Forest University and a Master’s in Library Science from the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill.  After working in the library at UNC-Charlotte and the Greenville County Library, he served as Director of the Laurens County Library for over 33 years.  Bill studied piano from the 4th through the 12th grades and took one year of organ in college.  After returning to Laurens to become the county librarian, he took two years of organ from Stephan Schaeffer at PC and since retirement has studied organ with Brennan Szafron.

In addition to being the Treasurer and former Dean of the Spartanburg AGO, he is a member of the Spartanburg Philharmonic Music Club and currently is treasurer.  He regularly serves as a substitute organist for churches in Clinton, Laurens and Spartanburg.

Erica Pauly holds Master of Music and Bachelor of Music degrees from Converse College. She has performed extensively throughout the Carolinas as soloist, chamber musician, orchestral and collaborative pianist. Ms. Pauly has worked with orchestras in Hendersonville, Brevard, Spartanburg and Greenville, and has performed with many local musicians and venues including Converse College and the Spartanburg Repertory Company. Ms. Pauly is an acclaimed adjudicator, and in recent years, has served on the judging panel for the Charlotte Symphony Young Artist Competition, Steinway Junior Piano Competition and other area competitions.

Ms. Pauly currently works as adjunct instructor at the Petrie School of Music and Lawson Academy at Converse College in Spartanburg, SC, where she teaches piano pedagogy, class piano, and piano lessons to students of all ages. Ms. Pauly is an active member of the Spartanburg Chapter of the American Guild of Organists, and enjoys working as a guest organist for many local churches.