Resident Musician

Gary has been the music director at Whole Life Center for Spiritual Living. Gary began piano lessons at age four and as a teenager studied piano and voice through the San Francisco Conservatory of Musicʼs Preparatory Division. After attending the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, NY for two years as a piano major, Gary decided he wanted to broaden the scope of his education, so he transferred to Stanford University, earning a bachelorʼs degree in Psychology. He then pursued additional piano studies at University of Colorado at Boulder, and began his masterʼs program at University of Southern California. Gary moved up to Portland to study piano and body-mapping for musicians with Lisa Marsh, and in 2007 he earned his masterʼs degree in piano performance at Portland State University.

Gary has a deep sense that he is simply an instrument through which the loving, peaceful, creative Spirit of God flows. He has always felt extremely grateful to be able to serve God and to assist others in experiencing a more soulful connection with Spirit through his playing, singing, and compositions. He grew up in the Santa Rosa Center for Spiritual Living, and has held positions as the pianist for the Santa Rosa church and the San Jose Center for Spiritual Living, as well as serving as a pianist and organist for two Lutheran churches. Additionally, Gary has worked as a staff accompanist and vocal coach for many organizations and academic institutions, including Sonoma State University, the San Francisco Conservatory of Music, and Interlochen Arts Academy in Michigan.

Choir was a catalytic force in the forming of our spiritual community and continues to inspire its community through dynamic performances, effervescent leadership, and stalwart presence. Singing music in a variety of styles including gospel, pop, and classical, the Choir is featured approximately once a month at regular Sunday morning services. The Choir rehearses weekly on Thursday nights, September through May. To join the choir, prospective members must demonstrate the ability to match pitches in a friendly, group audition and should complete ‘Foundations’ - the first of four core classes taught at New Thought Center for Spiritual Living – within a year of joining the choir.

Greg Earl has been playing rock, blues, country, pop, and RB for over thirty-five years. From Vermont, to LA, San Luis Obispo, CA to Washington DC, and Lyon, France to Baltimore, Greg has had a long and fruitful career. He has been playing for New Thought churches since the early 90's - starting at Unity of San Luis Obispo, CA with Richard Levy. His spiritual journey has also included stints with Methodist, AME, and Baptist churches, but since his arrival in Portland, he has played for Unity World Healing Center and as a substitute bassist for NTMO. In 2007, Greg became a regular with the NTMO house band, and can be heard around town with his contemporary blues band, the Greg Earl Band, whose lineup includes NTMO musicians, Brian Harris and Edwin Fountaine.

Brian Harris has been playing keyboards at NTMO since its inception. His extensive study of Jazz Composition at Berklee College of Music in Boston, over twenty years experience as a songwriter, composer, and performer, and a passion for spiritual truth, especially as expressed in the works of Ken Wilber and other Integral Thinkers, come together to form a musical style that is unique, fresh, and deeply engaging. He has performed and recorded with several well-known artists, including Julianne Johnson, Kenny Loggins, Patrick Lamb, and Norman Sylvester to name a few. In addition to his work as a performing artist and pianist, Brian teaches private piano lessons and is a devoted family man.