Jason Kissel

Dr. Jason Kissel is director of music and organist at the First & Franklin Street Presbyterian Church, where he conducts the Sanctuary Choir and works closely with the Spire Series Committee in creating and presenting high-quality arts programming for the community. Kissel has led the church to commission new choral music by Robert Sirota and Lois Hopkins; in addition, he has introduced a significant amount of multicultural choral literature and global music to the congregation at First & Franklin. Kissel maintains a private teaching studio and has held teaching positions at the Pennsylvania State University, Chatham College, and Westminster College. His students have won top prizes in performance competitions of the American Guild of Organists, and have gained acceptance into leading American music schools. Kissel has performed throughout the mid-Atlantic region and is the recipient of the James Winship Lewis Memorial Award, given by the faculty and deans of the Peabody Conservatory, for his musical leadership within the Peabody community.