Meet The Artists
The goal of The Reverb Collective is to seek out and give voice to artists whose works might normally go unnoticed by the
institutional church, help them get paid fairly for their art, and
create a collaborative community in the process.
Andy Pokel
Andy Pokel
Foundry Hymnal is a collaboration between Pr. Elise and Andy Pokel, a pastor and church musician serving churches in the Twin Cities metro. Pr. Elise leads Transfiguration Lutheran Church in Bloomington, MN, and Andy is Director of Worship and Music at Woodlake Lutheran in Richfield, MN and Musician in Residence at Luther Seminary. In their work as Foundry Hymnal, Pr. Elise is the primary liturgist and theologian and Andy is the primary songwriter and producer. They aim to write theologically rich, singable music that is at home in both traditional and modern worship settings. They are proud parents of two beautiful children. Studio versions of their music can be found on all of the major streaming platforms, and notated scores can be found here. Further information can be found here.
Kristian Swearingen
Kristian Swearingen
Kristian Swearingen is multi-instrumentalist who has been writing and performing music for over 30 years in a wide variety of genres ranging from classical to indie rock to Americana. He has contributed to the liturgy and music of Church of the Apostles in the Fremont neighborhood of Seattle since 2005. More of Kristian's music can be found here.
Lacey Brown
Seattle, WA
Lacey Brown
Lacey Brown is a singer/songwriter, music leader, liturgist, percussionist and recording artist from Seattle, WA. Passionate in the liturgical arts, Lacey has been working in ministry for over 20 years directing music and liturgy in congregations, the Episcopal Diocese of Olympia, the Northwest Washington Synod, and church wide conferences and events. As a composer in the church, she writes liturgical settings and songs for congregational singing and heads up a band called Poor Clare, performing original music and poetry inspired by the mysteries of God and life. Lacey's songs can be found here. More information can be found at: laceybrown.com poorclaremusic.com laceybrown.org.
John Tirro
Knoxville, TN
John Tirro
John Tirro is Pastor of Worship at St. John’s Lutheran Church (Knoxville, Tennessee). He had a first career writing chart-topping songs on the pop end of Country Music (“So Much for Pretending” by Bryan White and “Imagine That” by Diamond Rio), as well songs as on Platinum albums by LeAnn Rimes, Rascal Flatts, and others. John offers workshops in new hymns, leads worship at regional gatherings, and continues to write songs, including “To You All Hearts Are Open,” in the ELCA hymnal, All Creation Sings. John's songs can be found here. More information can be found at: johntirro.com.
Anna Elisabeth Daley
Anna Elisabeth Daley
Anna Elisabeth Daley is a violinist, singer and songwriter from Seattle, Washington. She writes for congregational singing with Church of the Apostles and is a part of the group, Poor Clare. Her song, "We Long For Your Light," especially appropriate for Advent and Epiphany, is found here.
Ivar Hillesland
Seattle, WA
Ivar Hillesland
Ivar Hillesland grew up singing hymns in the living room with his large family. Going to church was a musical experience that became a life-long passion. He has a particular love for simple unaccompanied songs, global church music, gospel/jazz, four-part hymns, and improvised chanting. A graduate of Yale Divinity School and Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary, Ivar currently serves in Seattle, Washington as pastor at Church of the Apostles (COTA) and music leader at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church. For many years, Ivar also had an early childhood Music Together school and taught preschool music. He has a passion for the developmental benefits of music and movement and is devoted to helping churches and young families find their communal voices and rhythms. Ivar also serves in the Episcopal and Lutheran churches as a congregational and intercultural development consultant. He is married to Targhee and has three boys: Olyver, Odin, and Orion. Ivar's songs can be found here.
Alex Johnston
Seattle, WA
Alex Johnston
Alex Johnston is a songwriter, teacher, and has been leading music for a variety of churches in the Seattle area since 2012. When he’s not making music he is on walks, at his local cafe, or at home drinking a cup of coffee, and has also recently taken up painting. Alex's songs can be found here. More information can be found at: alexjohnsonmusic.com.
Zack Nyein
Seattle, WA
Zack Nyein
The Reverend Zack Nyein serves as Senior Associate Rector, assuming responsibilities in a wide array of ministries at St. Bart's, including justice and reconciliation, creative worship, newcomer engagement, and ministries with young people. Zack is enthusiastic about developing creative ways of connecting and communicating the Good News of God in Christ across generations and difference as the Church lives into its new and ancient calling as a community of reconciliation and renewal. Active in the wider Episcopal Church, Zack currently serves on the Task Force for Prayer Book and Liturgical Revision and as Director of Worship for Imagine Church, an innovative online worship experience in the Episcopal Church begun during the pandemic. Zack is a lifelong choral singer and a lover of travel, the arts, and fitness. He holds degrees from the University of Tennessee (Bachelor in Music Education) and Yale Divinity School (Master of Divinity), in addition to a certificate from the Yale Institute of Sacred Music. He currently resides in Manhattan with his husband, Dr. Michael Waterson. Zack's songs can be found here. More information can be found at: zacknyein.org.