Director of Music - Church: Organist/Handbell and Chime

Blane is a member of the American Guild of Organists and the Association of Anglican Musicians. He began piano lessons in 1959 at the age of five and continued through his BME degree in Music Education from Drake University in 1976 and his MM in Conducting from UNC in 1983. His vocal study began in 1969 with Margaret Stoltz and continued through 1983 with Margaret Hauptmann and Marian Hall.

His BME work included piano performance with duo-pianists William and Patricia Medley, as well as George Katz and Guy Wuellner. His piano pedagogy study was with James Bastien. He also studied organ with Tom Barker during high school and Carl Staplin during his BME program. His graduate conducting work included study with Larry Cook, Frederick Renz and Brock McElheren.

His teaching philosophy is simple. He listens to each student talk, play or sing. He asks how they are doing and reminds them they matter. He teaches through kindness, laughter and sincerity, and he demonstrates everything he expects. His core areas of focus include curved fingers, note memory, counting, fingering and dynamics.