Dr. Janet Satre Ahrend

Janet Ahrend’s primary training has been in church music, with a Bachelor of Music Degree in Organ from the University of Idaho, and Master of Music and Doctor of Musical Arts Degrees in Organ from the University of Washington. She received further training at the Royal School of Church Music in England.

Ahrend has served as guest instructor for the Royal School of Church Music Summer School held in Perth, Western Australia, and is on the faculties of Gonzaga University, Whitworth University, and Eastern Washington University as Adjunct Instructor of Organ. She is active with the American Guild of Organists, currently serving as co-dean of the Spokane Chapter, and was recently chair of its Organ Academy, an outreach program for young students. She is a member of the PEO Sisterhood.

From 1990 to 1993, Ahrend served on the hymnal committee for the United Church of Christ, helping to produce the New Century Hymnal. She has spent her life working in churches, serving as organist for Methodist, Congregational, Roman Catholic, and Episcopal congregations. From 1997-2014, she was organist-choirmaster for the Episcopal Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist, Spokane, Washington, where she also directed the handbell choir. She maintains a private piano and organ studio in her home.

Ahrend was ordained Pastor of Plymouth Congregational Church in Spokane, Washington, in May, 2019, and also serves as the congregation's organist-pianist. She has led the church's Women's Bible Study since 2017 and teaches an adult Sunday School class.