AGO is committed to provide an environment where young organists feel welcome both nationally and locally into the organ community. Under the AGOYO program, organists under the age of 30, can connect with others in their generation to encourage each other as they develop professionally. These resources might include networking, innovative web-based programming as well as looking to mentors and teachers within the guild.
Johanna Momoko Dellming is one such organist. She participated in the NSAGO’s February 23, 2019 masterclass given by Marie Rubis Bauer at Winnetka Congregational Church. Recently having graduated from Moody Bible Institute, she is a former student of Elizabeth Nageley and is continuing her study of organ. She tells her story:
I am Swedish and Japanese, and I grew up mainly in Japan. My father is Swedish and my mother is Japanese. I came to the US to study the Bible at Moody Bible Institute as a Biblical Studies Major. I grew up in a church with organ service, but it was not until 2 years ago when I was at a monastery for 3 months and was asked to play the organ, that I thought about learning organ. I grew up playing the piano since I was 6, and I loved it so much that my parents had to get me off of the piano bench because I wouldn’t stop practicing. My love and skills for piano opened up a new possibility for me to learn the organ, and ever since I started taking lessons from Dr. Beth Naegele at Moody 2 years ago, my love for organ has grown more and more each and every day.
This month (May 2020), I graduated from Moody with a Bachelor’s degree in Biblical Studies and Music Interdisciplinary, and I will be starting a Master’s program in Organ and related keyboard instruments at Göteborg Universitet in Gothenburg, Sweden, this coming fall. I was blessed to receive a solid Biblical education at Moody Bible Institute, so now I want to really grow in music and become a church organist and work for the growth of the body of Christ.
I love the organ because it is an instrument with so many possibilities. You could even say that it is the best instrument to use in a church service, because its sounds range from soft and soothing to extremely powerful and firm. It is such a colorful instrument, which makes it perfect for describing the attributes of God. However, this is just one of the many reasons to love this instrument. I love that each organ is different and I love having to face different challenges and discoveries every time I meet a new organ. Also I am always excited to see the marvelous wooden carvings and shapes that each organ has. I cannot describe how excited I am for the next two years of organ education.
I have no clue where I will end up after I graduate from the master’s program in two years, but I want to follow God’s path and use my musical skills for the glory of God, and also spread my love of the organ to the world!
The picture of me at a church organ in Japan was at Shinkou Reformed Church in Kobe City, the only mean-tone split-key pipe organ in Japan. The organ was built in 2002 and was finalized after 15 years including the construction for the church building. The organ building was under the supervision of Masaaki Suzuki (a world-famous Japanese organist). This church is 114 years old. They do have recitals sometimes, but only very few because most organists in Japan cannot play it. I had the opportunity to play it for about two hours (the main organist was not there, but the 2nd organist was). One of my hopes and dreams is to one day give a concert there, as the church people were very excited for my future too!