Beth Barefoot - Pianist and Organist
Beth Barefoot brings energy, enthusiasm, and a love for all styles of music to the sanctuary, moving our hearts and thoughts closer to God. She has held instrumentalist and music- ministry staff positions in the United Church of Christ, United Methodist Church, and Episcopal Church, but her earlier evangelical roots may shine through in her unique style of playing, all to help usher in the Spirit to our worship. A vocalist and classically trained pianist, she studied with Walter Noona (Norfolk) and Julius Chajes (Detroit), as well as with voice teachers Richard Dorr (NYC) and Ellen Chickering (Portland). She moved to Boston in 2014 after a successful music career primarily in church music ministry and musical theater music direction in the Portland, Maine, area.
A proud member of Actors’ Equity, Beth has conducted/musically directed/accompanied/ performed at or with Maine State Music Theatre, Portland’s Good Theater, the University of Southern Maine, community theaters and high school drama programs all over Southern Maine. In addition, she was vocal coach/rehearsal pianist to guest artists with the Portland Symphony Orchestra Pops, and Music Director for several years of the Barbara Bush Children’s Hospital “Best of Broadway” benefit held annually at Portland’s Merrill Auditorium.
Also in Maine, she accompanied All-State Choruses and numerous Honors Choirs and was much in demand as accompanist for vocalists and instrumentalists alike in concert, recital and recording settings.
Beth was Chair of Fine Arts, including general music classroom teacher, choral director and voice instructor at Maine’s Hebron Academy, but also has considerable experience in the business world. Having received her Master’s in Arts Administration at BU, she is Business Manager of BU’s College of Fine Arts School of Theatre.