Rev. Aaron Frank is a recent transplant to the Southern Tier, having most recently served Hope Presbyterian Church in Arbutus, Maryland as solo pastor. Aaron was born and raised in the suburbs of Chicago. He is a graduate of Hope College in Holland, Michigan where he received a Bachelors’ degree in English Literature and Religious Studies and of Union Theological Seminary in Richmond, Virginia where he received his Master of Divinity degree. Aaron’s interests are in church development, interfaith dialogue, and the intersection of faith, ethics and politics. A lifelong athlete, Aaron is an avid swimmer and cyclist who thoroughly enjoys the topography and vistas of the region.
Dr. Daniel LaBar is a pianist, composer, choral director, and teacher. He holds degrees in piano from Oberlin College Conservatory of Music, and from the American Conservatory of Music in Chicago. He received the Doctor of Musical Arts from the American Conservatory of Music in 1979. Dr. LaBar held the position of Assistant Professor of Music at Glenville State College in WV, where he taught piano and theory. He held a similar position at South Caroline State College in SC.
Dan's duties include playing the organ for Sunday morning services. He also conducts the adult vocal choir and the adult bell choir. He is responsible for conducting the weekly rehearsals for these two groups. He takes time in planning and picking out music to use in the service, and he takes time to practice the music. He meets with the pastor on a regular basis, and he occasionally meets with the Worship Committee.
He is responsible for maintaining the organ and three pianos in use at the church. He has a budget which he uses for buying new music and for paying instrumentalists at Christmas and Easter.
Occasionally, he is responsible for playing an extra service, such as Christmas Eve, Ash Wednesday and Maundy Thursday.
He also give private instruction in piano at home, at One-Seventy-One Cedar Arts Center in Corning, and teaches at Elmira College.
