Dr. Neil Harmon
Neil Harmon teaches organ at Brigham Young University, Utah State University, and Utah Valley University. Prior to his university teaching in Utah, he worked as full-time Director of Music and Organist at Grace United Methodist Church in Wilmington, Delaware for 19 years. Dr. Harmon earned a Bachelor of Music degree from Brigham Young University and a Master of Music and Doctorate of Musical Arts from The Eastman School of Music. He enjoys a career as teacher, performer, accompanist, composer, arranger, and conductor. He is known throughout the country for his creative organ arrangements and for his choral and handbell compositions.
Dr. Seth Bott
Dr. Seth Bott is a native of Castle Dale, Utah. In May of 2020, he received the Doctor of Musical Arts degree in organ performance at the University of Kansas, where he studied under James Higdon and Michael Bauer. He was appointed to a graduate teaching assistantship, where he taught private lessons and worked closely with the organ faculty to organize and execute organ department business. Also while a student at KU, Seth served as a sabbatical replacement professor at Kansas State University and taught the organ majors and secondary students there. Before attending the University of Kansas, he received the Master of Music and Bachelor of Music degrees in organ performance and pedagogy from Brigham Young University, where he studied with Don Cook and Douglas Bush.
Seth is an active recitalist and performs many recitals around the United States every year. Some recent recital venues have included: St. Patrick’s Cathedral, New York City, New York; Grace Cathedral, San Francisco, California; Missouri State University, Springfield, Missouri; Saint Thomas Fifth Avenue, New York City, New York; University of Nevada—Las Vegas, Las Vegas, Nevada; Holy Trinity Episcopal Church, Gainesville, Florida; and in Hervormde Kerk, Noordbroek, Netherlands. Seth also served for many years as a Guest Tabernacle Organist on Temple Square and participated in the daily recital series performed on the famous Mormon Tabernacle Organ.
He has had an abundance of church music roles in many denominations, and is currently serving as Director of Music, Choir Master and Organist at St. James Episcopal Church in Salt Lake City, Utah. Seth accompanies many choirs and orchestras in Utah and throughout the United States, and has a large—and ever growing—organ studio of around 30 students. In 2009, he took first place in region IX of the RCYO AGO organ competition for young organists, allowing him to perform at the National AGO convention in Washington, D.C. in 2010.
Valerie McDougal
Valerie W. McDougal is a graduate in Organ Performance at Brigham Young University, where she received her Bachelor of Music Degree in Organ Performance studying under Dr. Douglas E. Bush. Also received her Master’s Degree in Organ Performance studying under Dr. Brian Mathias and Dr. Andrew Unsworth.
She holds both Colleague and Service Playing Certificates from the American Guild of Organists. She is a member of Salt Lake and Utah County Chapters of the AGO.
Mrs. McDougal currently serves as Stake and Ward organist, and has conducted and taught LDS training for organists of all levels. Sister McDougal is currently serving as a service missionary in the Jordan River Utah Temple where she serves as the organist coordinator of over 60 temple service missionary organists in addition to her temple organist assignment.
She is an organ teacher of private students.
Valerie and her husband Mark, reside in South Jordan, Utah. They are the proud parents of five children and grandparents of 9 grandchildren.
Sheri Peterson
Sheri Peterson, adjunct organ faculty at Brigham Young University, received her Bachelor and Master of Music degrees in organ performance from Brigham Young University where she studied with Don Cook, Douglas Bush, and Brian Mathias. In addition, she has studied with Carol Miles, and Gabriele Terrone, from Italy. Sheri is an experienced organ performer and teacher. She has taught university classes in music theory, sight-singing, dictation, group organ, and private organ lessons and has taught extensively at workshops and conferences, including the annual BYU Organ Workshop. In addition, she has a large private organ and piano studio. Sheri has been involved in church music for over forty years, worked as a professional organist for St. Mary’s Episcopal Church, and the Seventh Day Adventist Church in Provo, Utah, for many years, as well as ward organist, and temple organist. She has performed with symphonies, the Utah Baroque Ensemble and other choirs, as a soloist for BYU Devotional, performed numerous recitals and concerts throughout the United States, including at a convention for the West Region American Guild of Organists.
Actively involved in the American Guild of Organists (AGO), she has served in a variety of capacities, including two terms as dean of the Utah Valley Chapter, sub-dean, and as a member of the Regional Nominating Committee. Sheri has earned her Colleague Certification (CAGO) and has organized many organ workshops, including a Pipe Organ Encounter (POE) for youth, and annual workshops attended by hundreds of people.
Sheri delights to teach, serve, and help others through music.