Dianne

Dianne grew up on a farm in northern Iowa where her first organist jobs were at two country churches at age 16. She went on to graduate from St. Olaf College (majoring in Religion) where international programs took her to the Middle East. She continued to live and work in the Middle East for 5 years, teaching English and music to Palestinian children in a Quaker school in Ramallah, working with Lutheran World Federation on the Mt. of Olives, and playing organ and living in the Lutheran Church of the Redeemer in the Old City of Jersualem. She also served as organist at St. George’s Cathedral in East Jerusalem. Other paths have led to working with Churches for Middle East Peace in Washington, DC; Luther Seminary in St. Paul; social work in urban settings; and now teaching private piano and organ lessons to over 25 students. She is married to Eric Torgerson, a software engineer. Dianne has served as music director for several churches and has served at BCC since 2011 as organist, pianist, and special music coordinator. Her desire is to provide music that helps support, uplift, strengthen, comfort, and bring joy to the congregation. Music can build community, help center our hearts and minds on Christ Jesus, and speak to us through the Holy Spirit. Music can ultimately, as JS Bach often wrote, help us to give all Glory to God alone!