About our Ministers of Music
Heidi Willson and Michael Olbash rehearse and direct about a dozen musical ensembles which enliven and inspire worship at our 9:30 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. services on Sunday mornings, as well as our youth ministry worship services during the week.
Michael Olbash
Michael Olbash, CAGO, has been active as an organist, conductor, baritone soloist, and composer of liturgical music for nearly twenty years. In addition to his work at U.C.C. Medfield, Mr. Olbash directs the Gregorian chant schola at St. Mary Star of the Sea Church in Beverly and has appeared as a soloist with groups such as the Seraphim Singers, Boston Secession, and Chorus pro Musica. A graduate of Harvard University, Michael holds the M.A. in Music from the Rensselaer Program of Church Music and Liturgy at St. Joseph’s College, and certificates in organ performance from the A.G.O. and N.P.M. Michael Olbash is the President of the Southeastern New England Chapter of the Choristers Guild, was the music director of the 2008 Magnificat Pilgrimage of Hope, and is the founder and conductor of the Stepping Stone Chant Project, an all-male vocal ensemble whose premier recording “Blessed Is the Ordinary” is now available on compact disc.
Michael lives in Bellingham with his wife, Mary Ann, and their three sons Nicholas, Maximilian and Christoph.
Heidi Willson
Heidi Willson retired from a 21-year career in the U.S. Navy Music Program in 2004 prior to accepting her current position at UCC Medfield. As a singer and woodwind instrumentalist, she performed throughout the world in numerous ensembles, many of which she directed. Certified as a navy instructor, Heidi was director of the Basic Music department at the Armed Forces School of Music in Norfolk, VA, where she oversaw staff, curriculum and academics, in addition to teaching music theory and ear training. After retiring from the Navy, Heidi pursued her passion for teaching and kids, and began her own business teaching music at private daycares and kindergartens in Rhode Island. Active in church music since her youth, Heidi was called to her ministry at UCC Medfield in 2005 as the Praise Music Leader. The opportunities and challenges of her job both satisfy and fuel her passion for God, music, teaching and kids.
Heidi lives in Scituate, RI, with her husband, Allan, also a retired Navy musician, and her three children, Ethan, Noah and Elizabeth.
