Marilyn Ossentjuk is an adjunct professor in organ instruction here at Western and also an organist at St. Luke’s in Kalamazoo, Michigan. She has also been the Organist and Director of Music at the Fountain Street Church (FSC) in Grand Rapids and was part of their music staff from 2001 – 2019.  At FSC, she played the church’s magnificent five-manual, 172-rank Austin/Allen pipe organ, directed the Adult Choir, the Young Singers, the Handbell Choir, and the Care Choir, and she accompanied the Oratorio Choir.  Marilyn values the variety of musical styles and holds a Masters degree (with honors) in Church Music, with an emphasis in Organ Studies, from the University of Michigan.  She also holds undergraduate degrees (with honors) in K-12 Vocal Music Education and in German, from Calvin College.  A member of the music honors society Pi Kappa Lambda, she is a member of the American Guild of Organists and the Music Teachers National Association.  For five years she accompanied the Grand Rapids Bach Chorale on organ and harpsichord; now she has returned to her first role with the Chorale, as a singer.  She frequently performs on organ throughout the West Michigan area and has also studied and performed at the North German Organ Academy.  Marilyn is an experienced and enthusiastic teacher, and many of her piano and organ students have gone on to study music in college and/or are currently working as music teachers and church musicians.  She has been invited several times to join the organ faculty for AGO Pipe Lines programs and to teach at Calvin College’s Knollcrest Music Camp.  Marilyn and her husband, James Kunnen, are the proud and happy parents of their son, Joseph.  Marilyn is also an advanced Master Gardener and a member of the native plant advocacy group, Wild Ones.