Jillian Gardner is the Director of Music at First United Methodist Church in Huntsville, Alabama, where she serves as the primary organist and oversees music programs for both adults and children. She is also an adjunct instructor of organ at the University of Alabama in Huntsville, the state’s only institution offering a degree in organ or church music. Jillian recently completed a seven-year term as the Councillor for Young Organists on the American Guild of Organists National Board, where she successfully launched initiatives that brought over 1,200 new young organists to the Guild and created an organ scholar program for young professionals.

Known for her versatile and accessible performances, Jillian has performed at iconic venues worldwide, including Westminster Abbey, St. Paul’s Cathedral, Grace Cathedral, and St. Patrick’s Cathedral. She is frequently invited to perform at conventions and festivals and has been featured on the Pipedreams radio show. Her repertoire spans Baroque to contemporary music, including transcriptions and commissioned works.

Jillian holds a B.M. from Oberlin College and Conservatory and M.M. and A.D. degrees from Baylor University. She has won top prizes in several competitions and was named one of The Diapason’s inaugural “Top 20 under 30” organists in 2015. Jillian advocates for wellness and believes in the importance of a healthy mind and body to sustain artistic excellence. For more information, visit her website.

We thank the Friends of the Cathedral for their generous sponsorship of this series. For more information please visit their website.