Brian Bartusch - Minister of Music
We welcome Brian Bartusch as Central’s new Minister of Music and Organist. He is a native of Grand Rapids, having grown up on the northwest side in a family where music was always prevalent. He studied music at Aquinas College in Grand Rapids, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts in Organ Performance and a minor in Liturgical Music. During those years he was also a member of Aquinas’ Valenti Handbell Choir, which sparked his interest and love of handbell music. After working in the music retail business for more than 7 years, he was awarded a scholarship to study at Eastern Michigan University in Ypsilanti, MI, where he received his Master’s Degree in Organ Performance, having studied with Dr. Pamela Ruiter-Feenstra and conducting with the late Leonard Riccinto. He has also studied organ with Grand Rapids organist Jonathan Tuuk and voice with Kathleen Westdorp, former co-music director at the Basilica of St. Adalbert.
During his career, Brian has served as organist and Director of Music for churches in Grand Rapids and (most recently) Niles, MI as well as Lakewood, OH. He is also a founding member of Embellish, Grand Rapids’ own professional handbell ensemble, where he had the privilege of performing under the direction of Carl Wiltse, its founding director. Brian enjoys drawing, attending musical concerts, biking and swimming, and has recently purchased a home in Grand Rapids.