New Cathedral Organist Appointed
I am extremely pleased to announce the appointment of Valentina Huang as Cathedral Organist effective September 1. Valentina is a remarkably talented musician with a warm and enthusiastic personality. She will be an enormous addition to the Cathedral Music Ministry and the entire Parish. Commenting on her appointment Valentina says, “I am grateful for the opportunity of serving here. I also look forward to meeting everyone and bringing music and joy to the Cathedral.”
Born in China, Valentina came to the United States in 2016 to attend Wesleyan College in Macon, Georgia. She then earned a degree in piano at Peabody Institute at Johns Hopkins and a Master’s in Organ Performance at Indiana University. While in Bloomington she met and married Tanner Ellis, a graduate of the IU law school. Valentina and Tanner came to Houston in order for her to enter the doctoral program in organ at The Shepherd School of Music where she is about to start her second year as a student of Professor Ken Cowan.
Valentina is already making a name for herself as a concert organist with first place wins at the prestigious Fort Wayne competition in Indiana, and the Arthur Poister Competition at Syracuse University where she also won the Audience Prize. In a small world moment, former Cathedral Organist Monica Czausz Berney was a judge at that competition. Valentina comes to us after serving as Assistant Organist at Palmer Memorial Episcopal Church
I very much look forward to working with Valentina, and to the “music and joy” she will bring to the Cathedral. Please help me welcome her on September 1.
Robert Simpson
Canon for Music
Christ Church Cathedral
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