A performer, teacher, and Lutheran Cantor, Timothy Olsen intertwines his passion for musical excellence throughout these three areas.
In his solo organ recital performances for churches, AGO chapters, and universities throughout the United States, Dr. Olsen explores the many colors and sounds of each unique pipe organ on which he performs. He matches repertoire to instrument while creating and performing eclectic programs that excite, inspire, and uplift audiences by presenting works that are both familiar and new. His most recent performances have taken him to St. Patrick’s Cathedral (NY), Holy Name of Jesus Cathedral (Raleigh, NC), Augustana Lutheran (W. St. Paul, MN), Methuen Memorial Music Hall, Duke University, and Cornell University. He has performed across the United States and in Ireland, and his recordings on the NAXOS and Raven labels have been heard on American Public Media’s Pipedreams, WXXI’s With Heart and Voice, and WCPE’s Great Sacred Music. He frequently collaborates with trumpeter Judith Saxton including a recent independently released album, Landfall, as well as on large choral works including Duruflé’s Messe “Cum jubilo” and Requiem, Dubois’ The Seven Last Words of Christ, and Gabriel Fauré’s Requiem.
As Kenan [Associate] Professor of Organ at UNC School of the Arts and Associate Professor of Organ at Salem College (a joint faculty position), Dr. Olsen enjoys working with a wide range of students—from those just beginning their study at the organ to high level graduate students. Meeting the students where they are in their musical journey, he guides them in developing their technique and artistry to attain their goals as performers whether that be in the concert hall, the sanctuary, or elsewhere. Dr. Olsen’s students have won numerous regional competitions, and have gained entrance into some of the most prestigious organ programs in the country.
Dr. Olsen’s desire to expose the organ and its repertoire to young students as well as to wide-ranging audiences has led him to collaborate with local colleagues organizing an annual “Sounds of the Summer” organ recital series in Winston-Salem, NC, as well as an annual Salem Bach Festival for which he plays organ and harpsichord. His desire to engage younger organists has led him to create and host an annual Middle School/High School Organ Festival and Competition at UNCSA and Salem College for the past twelve years. He has also directed two Pipe Organ Encounters (most recently in 2022), served on the faculty of several POEs and POEs-Advanced, and has hosted several summer organ academies for young organists at UNCSA.
A life-long learner, Dr. Olsen continues to explore the instrument’s vast range of repertoire. His current research area focuses on that of the baroque era and the role of improvisation in organ repertoire and pedagogy. During his fall 2022 sabbatical, he pursued further improvisation study with world-renowned improviser and pedagogue William Porter, with the goal of embedding more improvisation into the curriculum at UNCSA and Salem College, as well as into his work as Cantor at Augsburg Lutheran Church.
Currently serving as Cantor (Organist/Music Director) at Augsburg Lutheran Church in Winston-Salem, NC, Dr. Olsen lives out his Lutheran heritage through sacred music. In his role as Cantor, he directs two adult choirs, plays for two weekly services, oversees an intern program of organ and choral students, and arranges guest concerts for the congregation and community.
Dr. Olsen is a graduate of Concordia College in Moorhead, MN (BM) and the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, NY (MM, DMA). He currently resides in Pfafftown, NC with his wife, three boys, and their six-pound Chihuahua, Milo Bjørn.
In his solo organ recital performances for churches, AGO chapters, and universities throughout the United States, Dr. Olsen explores the many colors and sounds of each unique pipe organ on which he performs. He matches repertoire to instrument while creating and performing eclectic programs that excite, inspire, and uplift audiences by presenting works that are both familiar and new. His most recent performances have taken him to St. Patrick’s Cathedral (NY), Holy Name of Jesus Cathedral (Raleigh, NC), Augustana Lutheran (W. St. Paul, MN), Methuen Memorial Music Hall, Duke University, and Cornell University. He has performed across the United States and in Ireland, and his recordings on the NAXOS and Raven labels have been heard on American Public Media’s Pipedreams, WXXI’s With Heart and Voice, and WCPE’s Great Sacred Music. He frequently collaborates with trumpeter Judith Saxton including a recent independently released album, Landfall, as well as on large choral works including Duruflé’s Messe “Cum jubilo” and Requiem, Dubois’ The Seven Last Words of Christ, and Gabriel Fauré’s Requiem.
As Kenan [Associate] Professor of Organ at UNC School of the Arts and Associate Professor of Organ at Salem College (a joint faculty position), Dr. Olsen enjoys working with a wide range of students—from those just beginning their study at the organ to high level graduate students. Meeting the students where they are in their musical journey, he guides them in developing their technique and artistry to attain their goals as performers whether that be in the concert hall, the sanctuary, or elsewhere. Dr. Olsen’s students have won numerous regional competitions, and have gained entrance into some of the most prestigious organ programs in the country.
Dr. Olsen’s desire to expose the organ and its repertoire to young students as well as to wide-ranging audiences has led him to collaborate with local colleagues organizing an annual “Sounds of the Summer” organ recital series in Winston-Salem, NC, as well as an annual Salem Bach Festival for which he plays organ and harpsichord. His desire to engage younger organists has led him to create and host an annual Middle School/High School Organ Festival and Competition at UNCSA and Salem College for the past twelve years. He has also directed two Pipe Organ Encounters (most recently in 2022), served on the faculty of several POEs and POEs-Advanced, and has hosted several summer organ academies for young organists at UNCSA.
A life-long learner, Dr. Olsen continues to explore the instrument’s vast range of repertoire. His current research area focuses on that of the baroque era and the role of improvisation in organ repertoire and pedagogy. During his fall 2022 sabbatical, he pursued further improvisation study with world-renowned improviser and pedagogue William Porter, with the goal of embedding more improvisation into the curriculum at UNCSA and Salem College, as well as into his work as Cantor at Augsburg Lutheran Church.
Currently serving as Cantor (Organist/Music Director) at Augsburg Lutheran Church in Winston-Salem, NC, Dr. Olsen lives out his Lutheran heritage through sacred music. In his role as Cantor, he directs two adult choirs, plays for two weekly services, oversees an intern program of organ and choral students, and arranges guest concerts for the congregation and community.
Dr. Olsen is a graduate of Concordia College in Moorhead, MN (BM) and the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, NY (MM, DMA). He currently resides in Pfafftown, NC with his wife, three boys, and their six-pound Chihuahua, Milo Bjørn.