Noon Concert - Dylan David Shaw & Luke Staisiunas

Dylan David Shaw, a native of Philadelphia, has been enraptured with the pipe organ from a very young age. He began lessons on the piano at age five and then organ at age eleven. Shaw frequented the Grand Court at Macy’s to hear the evening concerts. Through these regular visits he became well acquainted with Wanamaker Grand Court Organist Peter Richard Conte and the late Michael Stairs, former organist of The Philadelphia Orchestra.

Dylan continued organ studies with and served as a console assistant for Michael Stairs. Dylan is currently assistant organist for Peter Richard Conte at the Wanamaker Grand Court Organ at Macy’s Center City, where he performs several concerts each week, with programs that range from the works of Bach to the occasional Disney tune. Dylan is also a Wyncote Foundation Grant Restoration Associate. In addition to his duties in the Wanamaker Organ Shop and the Grand Court, Dylan also performs solo recitals and is a frequent church substitute throughout the Philadelphia area. He has been featured in recitals for the Acme Organ Institute’s Oktoberfest in Indiana, as well as YouTube videos for the institute. Dylan currently serves as a member of the Executive Committee of the Philadelphia Chapter of the American Guild of Organists. As a primary core of his repertoire, Dylan focuses his efforts on transcribing and performing orchestral literature, including Mussorgsky’s Night on the Bald Mountain, Paul Dukas’ The Sorcerer’s Apprentice. Shaw is a great fan of Sir Arthur Sullivan and has created numerous transcriptions, including the overture to HMS Pinafore and the charming and popular Overture di Ballo.

Luke Staisiunas, a versatile musician and technician, holds a Master’s Degree in Organ Performance from the University of Oklahoma, studying under Dr. Adam Pajan and Dr. Damin Spritzer, following his Bachelor’s degree with Dr. John Schwandt and Dr. Pajan. Throughout his education, he engaged in diverse musical endeavors, performing with choral, band, and baroque ensembles while also delving into coursework in Pipe Organ Technology, Harpsichord, Silent Film accompaniment, and Improvisation. Mr. Staisiunas serves as Organist-Choirmaster at St. Timothy’s Episcopal Church in Philadelphia, one of only a handful of buildings in the city of Philadelphia to retain interior gas-lighting. He is also an assistant to Peter Conte on the world-famous Wanamaker Organ and is regularly engaged for recitals and other events on the Midmer-Losh organ at Atlantic City’s Boardwalk Hall, the world's largest instrument.  Mr. Staisiunas remains steadfast in his commitment to advancing and promoting the rich tradition of the pipe organ and its music. He remains actively engaged in the American Theatre Organ Society, where he holds roles as a Director and Secretary to the Board, as well as actively participating in the Garden State Theatre Organ Society in technical, consulting, and performance capacities.