Music Leadership

Director of Music

Michael T. C. Hey has established himself as a reputable concert organist in the U.S. and abroad. In 2016, he was recognized as one of the top “20 Under 30” organists by The Diapason magazine. Hey performs solo and collaboratively with top American orchestras, as well as with his wife violinist Christiana Liberis in the Hey-Liberis duo. 

Michael served as Associate Director of Music and Organist of Saint Patrick’s Cathedral in New York City from 2015 to 2023, where one of his first major tasks was to perform for the first U.S. visit of Pope Francis. Prior to St. Patrick’s, Michael served for five years as Assistant Organist at Fifth Avenue Presbyterian Church.

In 2017, Michael received first prize in the First Shanghai Conservatory of Music International Organ Competition and released his premiere solo CD recording Michael T. C. Hey plays the Great Organ of Saint Patrick’s Cathedral in New York by the JAV recording label. 

A native of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Michael graduated in 2014 from the accelerated five-year degree program at The Juilliard School, where he received both his Bachelor of Music and Master of Music degrees in organ performance under Paul Jacobs.

Interim Director of Marble Community Gospel Choir

Born in Newark, NJ, Carl Arnez Ellis, III has been singing in choirs for his entire life. Over the years, he has shared the stage with some of gospel music’s greatest artists, including Twinkie Clark of The Clark Sisters, Pastor Shirley Caesar, Richard Smallwood, Professor James Hall & WAP, Yolanda Adams, and Vicki Winans, among others. Carl’s passion for ministry has led him to embrace the work of a missionary, allowing him to travel and share his faith in over 20 countries. Above all, Carl’s heart is devoted to the Lord and to serving His people.

Director of Children & Youth Choirs

Joel Esher is a composer, lyricist, educator, and music director based in NYC. He serves as the Music Director of the Children's and Youth Choral Programs at Marble Collegiate Church under Michael Hey, and as a choir director and music specialist with the Music and Outreach Department at Trinity Church NYC under Melissa Attebury.

Joel has served as Music Supervisor of the Story Pirates and Music Directs at the Second City Training Center. He works as a music residency artist with Dreamyard Project and The Little Orchestra Society. His musical, PharmaBro! (with Lauren Gundrum) was nominated for the Off-Broadway Alliance award for Best New Musical, and his musical Superhots! (with Blair Bodine) is published by MTI. His children’s choral piece, “Time to Play” was the winner of the inaugural Washington Heights Choir School Choral Composition Competition. Joel graduated from Northwestern University with degrees in Voice and Opera and Music Direction.