First Presbyterian Church of Royal Oak, Michigan
Staff & Leaders
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Reverend Pamela Meilands
Associate PastorPam joined the FPCRO pastoral staff in October, 2014. Along with an amazing group of volunteers, Pam focuses much of her energy toward youth and young adult ministry. Pam is a youth ministry veteran, having spent seven summers working as a camp counselor at Johnsonburg Presbyterian Center in Warren County, New Jersey. Most recently, Pam has served the children and youth at Pennington Presbyterian Church, Pennington, New Jersey, first as a ministry intern and then as the Director of Children’s Music. Pam has also spent time serving as a chaplain in Denali National Park, Alaska. A “Jersey Girl” born and raised, Pam graduated from The College of New Jersey with a Bachelor of Music and she is certified to teach K-12 music in New Jersey. In 2014, Pam received her Master of Divinity and Master of Arts from Princeton Theological Seminary in Princeton, New Jersey. While studying at PTS, Pam sang in the seminary’s three choirs and she can be heard on a number of recordings, including “Sing Praise to the Lord! Songs from Psalms for All Seasons.”
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Joseph Jackson
Organist - AccompanistJoseph holds degrees in Church Music and Organ Performance from McKendree College and The University of Michigan. He has also served as Organist/Choir Director at The First Presbyterian Church of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He was responsible for conducting the Chancel Choir, music leadership, and developing an extensive church concert/recital series. He has also served as Organist/Choir Director at Wayne Presbyterian Church in Pennsylvania, as well as The First Presbyterian Church of Detroit, Michigan, and Littlefield Presbyterian Church in Dearborn, Michigan. This exceptionally talented organist has an impressive resume of solo recitals throughout the United States. Joseph has been a featured soloist with the Grand Rapids Symphony, Lake St. Clair Orchestra, and the Philadelphia Virtuosi Chamber Orchestra. Joseph has been featured on National Public Radio’s “The First Art” with the Choral Arts Society of Philadelphia and with The Music Group of Philadelphia and as a soloist on NPR’s “Pipe Dreams”. Additionally, Joseph served as Assistant Organist on the famed John Wannamaker Organ in the Grand Court of Philadelphia’s Lord and Taylor. This gifted musician also has two professional recordings to his credit. Philadelphia Gothic features works by Liszt, Whitlock, and Karg-Elert, played on the four manual, 80 rank, Reuter Organ at First Presbyterian Church Philadelphia. Joseph was also the organist for the recording of the Howard Hanson Concerto for Organ, Strings, and Harp with the Philadelphia Virtuosi Chamber Orchestra available on the British label Naxos. In addition to his work at FPCRO, Joseph is a touring artist for Michigan Opera Theater, accompanist for the Michigan Opera Theater Children’s Chorus and the Rackham Symphony Choir, and pianist for the Birmingham Temple.
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Donald Daniels
Director of Music MinistryAs Director of Music Ministry, Donald is responsible for managing the music team and the implementation of the music ministry program. He is the conductor of the Chancel Choir, which participates in weekly worship and performs major choral works during the church year. Don also conducts the King’s Men, Grace Notes, and Jubilate Bells Choirs. Additionally, he chairs the Luttrell Performing Arts Recital Series. He has served as a church musician for over thirty years and just celebrated his tenth anniversary serving at First Presbyterian Church Royal Oak. Prior to this appointment, Donald was the Chancel Choir Conductor at Kirk in the Hills Presbyterian Church in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, and also served as their Principal Tenor Soloist. After years of teaching, Donald recently retired as the Choral Director at Novi High School, in the Novi Community School District. He received his B.A. from Olivet College and his M.A. in Choral Music Education from Eastern Michigan University.