Ben Boellner is a graduate of Carver Center for Arts and Technology in Towson, MD.
Ben started playing piano, before learning to read sheet music, when he was 4 years old. From a young age he was able to play a piece near perfectly simply by hearing it a few times. He continued to advance his music skills by joining the choir at age 17 at Arnolia UMC in Parkville, MD. There he found an opportunity to become the church’s interim organist when a vacancy arose.
At Arnolia, Ben met Dr. Richard Disharoon. An accomplished chorus teacher at Pikesville High from 1964 to 2004. “Dr. D” mentored Ben in choral leadership and conducting and encouraged Ben to pursue a career in music.
Now working in a church, Ben began meeting other area organists including Paul Binko. At the time, Paul was Director of Music and Organist at both St. Jude’s Shrine in Baltimore, MD and St. Mary’s Seminary and University in Baltimore, MD and had 31 years of church organ experience at that time. Paul and Ben became quick friends and through Paul’s guidance, Ben began substituting at area churches until becoming the full time Director of Music and Organist at Orems UMC in 2013. There, Ben built the choir and introduced regular, seasonal, concerts which increased both congregation membership and choir membership.
Now a professional organist, Ben decided to take his love for the organ and music to the next level. Ben began tuning organs for R. A. Daffer Church Organs, Inc apprenticing Under Bill Teyssier, Senior Pipe Organ Technician, Voicer and Tuner. At Daffer, Ben has learned valuable skills and has been able to work with some of the best in the industry including Irv Lawless of Lawless and Associates and Mike Fazio of Austin Organs.
As the Austin Sales and Service Representative at Daffer, Ben was made the curator of the seventh largest pipe organ in the world at St. Matthew’s Lutheran in Hanover, PA, as well as the curator of the organ at The First Baptist Church of the City of Washington, DC.
Today, Ben is still curating the organs at St. Matthew’s and First Baptist. He is also working closely with Dr. Disharoon and Paul Binko to enhance his skills as a musician and conductor and gives concerts from time to time at area churches with his fellow musicians.
From June of 2020 to January 2024 Ben was been the Director of Music Ministries and Organist at Arnolia United Methodist Church, in Parkville, Maryland. He was Principal administrator of the Music Program. Directing 3 diverse ensembles. Chancel Choir, Celebration Ringers and Rejuvenate. In addition to these responsibilities he designs and oversees a dynamic concert series, and is principal Organist and Accompanist for all worship services.
In January 2024 Ben was called to be the Minister of Music and Organist at the prestigious St. Matthew Lutheran Church in Hanover, Pennsylvania. He oversees a full time music program of graded choirs, Handbells, Concert series and more. Please stay tuned for more information.