In its belief that music and art are integral parts of worship, Second Presbyterian maintains a long-standing tradition of artistic excellence. Under the leadership of Dr. Michelle L. Louer, the music and fine arts programs of Second Church are vibrant and active, with ministries for all ages, from four-year-olds through adults.

While upholding the tradition of our reformed worship, Second’s vibrant music and fine arts ministry provides opportunities to learn, grow, and serve in worship, mission and outreach through multiple art forms as we profess the transformational life and message of Jesus Christ.

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  Dr. Michelle L. Louer Director of Music and Fine Arts 317-252-5515

  Director of Music and Fine Arts

  317-252-5515 | MFA@SecondChurch.org

  Michelle L. Louer received the doctoral degree in choral conducting from Indiana University Jacobs School of Music, studying under Jan Harrington, Carmen Helena-Téllez and Thomas Dunn. She holds both Master of Music and Master of Divinity degrees from Yale University where she graduated summa cum laude, and a Bachelor of Music in piano and church music, magna cum laude, from Stetson University. In addition, she studied with noted conductors Fiora Contino and Joseph Flummerfelt.

  Dr. Louer is in her twelfth year as the Director of Music and Fine Arts at Second Presbyterian Church where she leads a comprehensive program for children and adults, providing vocal and instrumental opportunities for education, ministry, and performance. Dr. Louer conducts the 70-voice Sanctuary Choir and the Beecher Singers (a professional chamber choir) and oversees a talented music staff that directs children and youth music, handbell ensemble, wind ensemble, and a vibrant fine arts area.

  She is a former Adjunct Professor of Choral Music at Butler University, and prior to her appointment at Second, served on the faculties of University of Evansville and Oklahoma City University, and as Artistic Director and Conductor of the Kokomo (Indiana) Symphony Orchestra and Chorus for 3 years.

  Dr. Louer has led the Sanctuary Choir in annual performances of choral/orchestral masterworks, including Beethoven’s Choral Fantasie with André Watts, J.S. Bach’s Johannes Passion with Alan Bennett (Evangelist), Verdi’s Requiem, Vaughan Williams’ Dona Nobis Pacem, Poulenc’s Gloria, and Mendelssohn’s Elijah.

  For six seasons, she served as Artistic Director and Conductor of the Bach Chorale Singers of Lafayette, Indiana where she was known for innovative programming of works such as James Whitbourn’s Annelies and a retrospective of the choral music of Leonard Bernstein. In the summer of 2016, Dr. Louer led choral groups on a performance tour through Germany and parts of the Czech Republic. Equally comfortable leading orchestras, she has conducted Dvořák’s Symphony No. 9 (“New World”), Elgar’s Cello Concerto in E minor, Prokofiev’s Symphony No. 1, and Stravinsky’s Firebird Suite (1919), and in 2018 served as Guest Conductor of the 14th Annual International Festival of the Aegean in Syros, Greece. Dr. Louer also serves on the Sacred in Opera Committee of National Opera Association.

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  Dr. John Allegar Organist and Assistant Director of Music and Fine Arts 317-202-2256

  Organist and Assistant Director, Music and Fine Arts

  317-202-2256 x 309 | JAllegar@SecondChurch.org

  Dr. John Allegar is the Organist and Assistant Director of Music & Fine Arts at Second Presbyterian Church. He coordinates and schedules soloists and instrumentalists, maintains the church’s keyboard instruments, accompanies the Beecher Singers and Sanctuary Choir, and provides musical leadership for worship services. John also assists Michelle Louer, Director of Music and Fine Arts, with the implementation of the Music and Fine Arts Series and the general supervision of Second’s music program. John received the Doctor of Musical Arts degree in Performance and Literature (Organ) from the Eastman School of Music, and is past dean of the Indianapolis Chapter of the American Guild of Organists (AGO)

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  Patrick Pauloski Director of Youth and Children's Music and Second Winds (317) 253-6461

  Director of Youth and Children's Music

  (317) 253-6461 | PPauloski@SecondChurch.org

  Patrick Lewis Pauloski received the master degree in choral conducting from Butler University, studying with Eric Stark, John Perkins, and Michelle L. Louer. He also holds a Bachelor of Music in voice, magna cum laude, from Luther College, Decorah, IA. Pauloski, an Indianapolis native, was previously the Conducting Fellow of the Indianapolis Symphonic Choir, a unique fellowship that exists between the chorus and master of choral conducting program at Butler University.

  Pauloski’s choral experience began when he joined the Indianapolis Children’s Choir and sang under the direction of Henry Leck and Joshua Pedde. While a student at Luther College, he sang in the Nordic Choir under the direction of Allen Hightower III. Until Fall of 2020, he served as staff bass at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, Indianapolis, Indiana. He is an active member of the Indianapolis Symphonic Choir, as well as Circle City Chamber Choir–C4, which produces an annual summer choral concert as well as making other appearances throughout the Indianapolis area year-round.

  Pauloski has taught pre-K through eighth grade general music in the Catholic Archdiocese of Indianapolis and was on the teaching faculty of the Indianapolis Children’s Choir from 2017-2018. He is excited to join the Music and Fine Arts staff in creating worship and performance opportunities for youth musicians.

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  Carol U. Baker Cherub Choir Director and Fine Arts Coordinator (317) 253-6461

  Cherub Choir Director and Fine Arts Coordinator

  (317) 253-6461 | CBaker@SecondChurch.org

  An advocate for arts learning and early childhood development, Carol Baker has trained with teaching artists through Lincoln Center Institute in New York, studied with Dr. John Feierabend to earn a "First Steps in Music" certification, and participated in multiple study groups through the Berklee Institute for Arts Education and Special Needs (Boston).

  A Creative Renewal Fellow of the Arts Council of Indianapolis (2006) and graduate of Stanley K. Lacy Executive Leadership (2005), Ms. Baker holds a Master of Public Affairs from IUPUI’s School of Public and Environmental Affairs with a certificate in negotiation and mediation, and a Bachelor of Music Education with a French minor from University of Louisville. Ms. Baker has had an arts-filled career having worked with organizations like the largest employer of full-time artists in the state of Indiana, Indianapolis Symphony, and a Tony Award®-winning regional theatre, Actors Theatre of Louisville.

  She has also performed for Kentucky Opera, Music Theatre Louisville, Indianapolis Opera, The Artists’ Studio, among others.

  In addition to Second Presbyterian, Ms. Baker proudly serves Butler University.

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  Christy Herris Coordinator of Music & Fine Arts (317) 253-6461

  Coordinator of Music & Fine Arts

  (317) 253-6461 | CHerris@SecondChurch.org

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  Rebecca Holt Handbell Ensemble Director (317) 253-6461

  Handbell Ensemble Director

  (317) 253-6461 | RHolt@SecondChurch.org

  First and foremost, Rebecca Holt received Jesus Christ as her personal Savior and Lord when she was a young child. She is very thankful for His guidance in her life. She received a Bachelor of Music Education degree from Indiana University Fort Wayne. Upon graduation, she directed the children’s choirs, youth choir and the handbell ensemble at Faith Baptist Church in Fort Wayne. She moved to Indianapolis in 1984 to teach General and Choral Music at Clay Junior High School in Carmel. While there, she established the handbell program as well. She also received a Master of Music Education from Butler University.

  Rebecca formerly rang with the Indianapolis Handbell Ensemble and served as the choir director at Hope Christian and Missionary Alliance Church in Indianapolis. Currently, along with directing the Handbell Ensemble here at Second, she directs the Wesleyan Ringers at St. Luke's United Methodist Church. She also stays involved with the music ministry of her home church, Northside Baptist.

  Rebecca is married to Charles Holt and has three adult children: Ian, Brianna and Linnea.

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  Dawn Waddell Chapel Service Organist (317) 253-6461

  Chapel Service Organist

  (317) 253-6461

  Dawn Waddell is the Chapel Service Organist at Second Presbyterian Church. She often works as a substitute organist in the greater Indianapolis area following the chapel service. She occasionally fills in for Dr. Allegar in the sanctuary. Dawn holds a Bachelors of Music in organ from Oberlin Conservatory, where she studied with Garth Peacock, and a Graduate Performance Diploma in organ from Peabody Conservatory, where she studied with Donald Sutherland. She minored in harp at both conservatories, studying with both Alice and Jeanne Chalifoux. She completed her studies at Indiana University, earning a Masters of Music in organ under Larry Smith, with a Church Music cognate, and a minor in continuo, studying with Elisabeth Wright.

  A fan of early music, Dawn serves on the board of Indianapolis Early Music. She has sung in madrigal choirs wearing historically accurate self-made costumes for Renaissance Faires and Dickens caroling.

  Dawn is mother to three artistically inclined college-aged children. She lives in Carmel with her husband Oscar. When she is not practicing she is likely creating something, by knitting, sewing, or baking.