Our Staff

Ben Outen is Organist and Choirmaster of St. Peter’s Episcopal Church in Charlotte, North Carolina where he founded The Boys Choir at St. Peter’s in 1993, The Girls Choir at St. Peter’s in 1998, and The MasterSingers at St. Peter’s in 2003. Previously he served as Music Director of the First Presbyterian Church, Belmont, North Carolina; Music Director of the Charlotte Choir Boys; and Organ Scholar at Trinity Church on the Green, New Haven, Connecticut. Mr. Outen holds a Bachelor’s degree in Music from Furman University and a Master’s degree in Music from Yale University. He has served on the staffs of the Montreat Music Conference and the Royal School of Church Music Winston Salem, Raleigh, and Carolinas Courses. He has participated in workshops with Sir David Willcocks, Phillip Brunelle, Lionel Rogg, James Jordan, and Alex Theimer. Mr. Outen is a member of the Royal School of Church Music, American Guild of Organists and the Anglican Association of Musicians. Mr. Outen’s background includes work on the stage and in the pit with local community and professional theater and opera companies.

Kay Johnson is the Business Manager for The Choir School at St. Peter’s. She is an alumni parent of two boys who have graduated from the choir and of a girl currently in The MasterSingers. She holds a B.S. degree in Chemistry from North Carolina State University and a Masters in Business Administration from WVCOGS, now a component of Marshall University. Mrs. Johnson is responsible for marketing, fund raising, tour arrangements, program scheduling, volunteer and office management. Having been with the choir since 1993, Mrs. Johnson models commitment.

Patrick Pope is Assistant Organist and Choirmaster at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, Charlotte, North Carolina, and Accompanist for the Choir School at St. Peter’s. A native of Statesville, NC, he holds a BM in organ performance from the University of South Carolina, where he was a member of the South Carolina Honors College and Preston College. His principal teacher was William Bates. While at USC, he was a member of the Concert Choir, and frequently accompanied that group as well as soloists and instrumentalists. His MM in organ performance and church music was earned at Indiana University as a student of Marilyn Keiser. He has served as dean of the IU/Bloomington Chapter, American Guild of Organists, and as a graduate assistant in the Organ Department. In August 2006, he served as organist for the Choir of the Church of the Holy Cross, Tryon, NC during their residencies in the United Kingdom at St. Alban’s Cathedral and St. George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle. His professional engagements include the American Guild of Organists and the Association of Anglican Musicians. He serves on the executive board of the Charlotte Chapter, AGO.

Carol Lillard is the Assistant Director for The Choir School at St. Peter’s and directs the Boys and Girls Town Choirs. She holds a B.A. degree in Organ and Voice from Lycoming College and an M.A. in Church Music from Scarritt College. She has enjoyed additional study in vocal pedagogy, choral repertoire and the Kodaly method of music education at Westminster Choir College, the Voice Care Network at St. John’s University and at Hartt College of Music. She has had varied experience as a singer, organist, choral conductor and music instructor in preparatory school and college. Ms. Lillard also serves as Assistant Music Director at St. Peter’s and teaches voice privately.

Barbara Kennedy, director of the Musikgarten program at St. Peter’s is a Certified Musikgarten Instructor and a member of the Early Childhood Music and Movement Association. She holds an Associate in Arts degree with a concentration in music. She is currently Fundamentals of Music and Recorder teacher for the Cabarrus County Home School Association.