Melanie A. Vlad – Director of Music Ministry  [email protected]

Melanie A. Vlad received her Bachelors of Arts in Music Performance from Hiram College in 1987 and a Master of Music degree in Piano Performance and Pedagogy from the University of Louisville in 1989; she has completed doctoral work at Kent State University in Higher Education Administration. After graduating from Louisville, Melanie served as the Assistant Director of the Preparatory Division at Mount Union College (now The University of Mount Union), where she was also senior staff accompanist, an instructor in Music Appreciation and Accompaniment Class, and a student teacher supervisor within the Prep. Division.

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​A frequent accompanist and music coach throughout Trumbull County, Melanie has served as the vocal music director at Arts Excel, an arts-based multi-disciplinary program in Trumbull County, and developed the first college-based Kindermusik program in the area. She has also worked with the Summit Choral Society in Stark County as Director of Education. Melanie is currently a music educator at Jefferson School, Warren City School District.   

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Melanie continues to perform with area artists and with the well-known area big band, The Top Notes. She is a regular lecturer on arts advocacy for children, the pre-school music experience, and the non-traditional student in a traditional studio setting.

 

Marissa Welke – Director of Family and Youth Ministries  [email protected]

Marissa Welke received her Bachelor’s degree in Organizational Communications, with an emphasis in Public Relations, from Capital University in 2015. Returning home to Warren in 2015, she has continued working with children as she did both before and during college. Marissa has sung in FPC's Motet Choir since 2016 and has assisted with the children’s music. She has over 10 years of experience working with children both in and out of educational settings, including Montessori, Special Education, Public Education, Nannying, and event planning. She has planned public events for children and has held various committee positions with several public service organizations. 

 

Marissa has just started her own family with her fiancé Josh, two beautiful boys (Maverick and Axel, who are only a year apart) and a bonus daughter, Emma. She also has two fur babies, Maggie Mae, a lab-pit mix, and Kiki, a black and white cat, both of whom were rescues. Marissa has been the head majorette instructor for Warren G. Harding High School for the past five years. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family.

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Kathie Trowbridge – Administrative Assistant  [email protected]

Kathie has lived in Trumbull County all her life.  She and Jay have been married for 36 years and make their home in Cortland. They have two daughters and three grandchildren. Kathie enjoys camping, traveling, hiking, bicycling, and crafting. She loves to listen to many genres of music and enjoys playing with and walking their dog, Sophie.

 

For many years Kathie was a stay-at-home mom and had part-time retail jobs. In 2006 she received certification in Computerized Office Technology from TCTC and has worked at First Presbyterian Church of Warren for eight years.

 

David Skipper – Facilities Manager  [email protected]

Dave has worked at FPC for 12 years, and his role has expanded from part-time security to full-time Facilities Manager. Previously, he worked as a security officer and supervisor. He enjoys working at the Church very much! He recently bought his first home and loves to garden – both vegetables and flowers. He is a big Buckeyes fan and follows all sports, especially baseball.                 

 

Dave has a son and a daughter, who both live locally, and a dachshund named Bailey, who loves to go for walks and guard the property.