Music Practicum

Archpriest Lawrence Margitich is the Rector of the Protection of the Holy Virgin Parish/St. Seraphim Cathedral in Santa Rosa, CA. He attended the University of Hawaii from 1975-1977, studying classical guitar and Russian. He transferred to the Berklee College of Music in Boston and earned a Bachelor of Music in guitar performance and conducting in 1980, while attending Holy Trinity Cathedral in Boston, and directing choir there as an alternate conductor. Subsequently, he attended St. Vladimir’s Seminary, graduating in 1984 with a Master of Divinity. Before ordination, he served as choir director in Claremont, New Hampshire, and Springfield, Vermont, before moving to Santa Rosa in 1985 to direct choir at the Protection Church. He was ordained deacon in 1995 and priest in 1997. He is on the Diocesan Council of the Diocese of the West, and provides support for the Liturgical Music Department of the Diocese and for the OCA. Fr. Lawrence is married to Ann (Wassell) and has three children and five grandchildren.

Archpriest David Morrison is grateful to serve the wonderful St. Anthony Orthodox Church in Bozeman, Montana, as well as the vibrant St. Moses Mission in Helena, Montana. A professional Bass-Baritone singer, he has sung for years with Grammy nominated St. Tikhon Choir, as well as with PaTRAM Institute Male Choir, traveling to Israel and Palestine, and recording on the Mount of Olives. He has taught piano, guitar, and voice lessons over the years, conducted and mentored choirs, and led workshops in a variety of church and choral settings. His background includes three CDs, awards from the Gospel Music Association, working as a professional worship leader and consultant, musical theater, gospel music, youth and college ministry, and years of classical music performance and study. A St. Tikhon seminary graduate (2013) who serves on the Diocesan Council, Fr. David is gratefully married to Matushka Patti, with three great (and musical) kids.

Matushka Ruth Greenfield has been directing the choir at SS. Cyril and Methodius Orthodox Mission in Chico, California since 2004. She studied classical voice at Northwestern University School of Music and holds a California CTE credential in the performing arts. Since 1996, she has been professionally performing, recording, and teaching singing. Now, when she isn’t directing at church, she is teaching classroom music to kindergarten through fifth graders; directing the choir, band, and theatre programs at a wonderful K-8 charter school; directing the antidivas, a non-profit women’s choir she founded in 2012; and especially loving on her five little grandchildren.

Serge Liberovsky serves as Choir Director at Holy Virgin Mary Orthodox Cathedral in Los Angeles, California. He holds a Master’s of Music in Choral Music from the University of Southern California Thornton School of Music. As a low bass, Serge has sung professionally with ensembles in New York, Los Angeles, Jerusalem, Washington D.C., Saratov, and Salt Lake City. When not leading his singers on the Kliros, Serge can be found backstage with the LA Chamber Orchestra, where he serves as Music Librarian.

Deacon Justin Margitich grew up studying and singing the music of the Church. His academic background includes studies in music, jazz, and classical genres, with a focus on piano and voice. He has a bachelor’s degree in art from California College of the Arts (2008) and a master’s degree in art from San Francisco Art Institute (2013). He is represented by Miskowitz-Bayse Gallery in Los Angeles, where he exhibits his paintings. In addition to his artistic career, Deacon Justin works as a behavioral therapist and consultant for families with disabilities. As a singer, he performs with “Circa 1600,” a professional choir in Sonoma County that specializes in medieval and baroque choral music. Deacon Justin serves as a deacon and choir leader at St. Seraphim Cathedral in Santa Rosa, CA. He is the father of two girls who are just starting to sing in the choir!

Anna Olson is the Choir Director at the Church of the Annunciation in Milwaukie, Oregon, the parish in which she grew up. She has been involved in choir leadership since 2019. After completing dual bachelor degrees in Music and Spanish at George Fox University, she attended the St. Tikhon’s Monastery Music Residency Program in Pennsylvania, further immersing herself in Orthodox music. Anna enjoys composing church music, and she occasionally serves as a consultant for the OCA Diocese of Mexico, helping to notate music in Spanish. In her spare time, Anna sings with various community choirs, and especially loves singing with her family.