Our Staff - Pacific Palisades Presbyterian Church, Pacific Palisades, CA 90272

Pacific Palisades, CA

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Our Staff

	James Vail Director of Music/Organist This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it James Vail, Choirmaster and Organist, is a native of Los Angeles and attended the Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia, where he received his Bachelor of Music degree in Organ under Alexander McCurdy. He was assistant to Dr. McCurdy at the First Presbyterian Church, Philadelphia. After serving in the army as a chaplain’s assistant during the Korean War, he returned to Los Angeles to work on his master’s and doctor’s degrees in Sacred Music under Charles Hirt at USC. During that time he was Organist and Choirmaster at St. John’s Episcopal Church (now Cathedral), Los Angeles, and later at the La Jolla Presbyterian Church. In 1961 he joined the faculty at USC, where he taught choral and sacred music and conducted the USC Concert Choir until retiring in 1999. That year he was made Professor Emeritus and was also chosen by his fellow faculty members to receive the coveted Ramo Faculty Award. During his years teaching at USC, Jim moved from St. John’s to St. Alban’s Episcopal Church, Westwood, where he served from 1969-2009. Last June he was named Organist and Choirmaster Emeritus at St. Alban’s. For the well-known series of concerts and special services, St. Alban’s Choir under his direction presented 125 major choral works—mostly with orchestra, and many of them more than once. He is a past dean and honorary life member of the L.A. chapter of the American Guild of Organists, and was recently named an honorary Canon of the Episcopal Diocese of Los Angeles, in recognition of 55 years of service in the Diocese. After less than one year, Jim decided retirement was not for him, and became Choirmaster and Organist at Palisades Presbyterian in May, 2010.
	Kai Brown Contemporary Worship Leader This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it Kai Brown is a multi-talented musician whose sound showcases a mix of familiar influences. Innovative and original, Brown delivers a performance that is reminiscent of the consummate hardworking road band – think Tom Petty, Jack Johnson or Ryan Adams. Born and raised in Sydney, Australia, Brown spent his teenage years and early 20s forming and refining his songwriting and musical ability. In 2005, Kai made the life-altering choice to give up everything he had in Australia and take a chance with his music by relocating to the U.S. fulltime. With very little in his pockets and a guitar in his hand, Kai temporarily relocated to Dallas, TX in early 2005 to work on his debut solo album with producer/songwriter Cary Pierce (Guster, Vertical Horizon, Chris Tomlin). From 2006 thru 2008 Kai traveled across America sharing his music from small coffeehouses to playing 3000 seat rooms with Grammy winning artists. In 2009 Kai relocated to Los Angeles to record his follow up album with producer Andrew Bush. The album gained rave reviews and allowed Kai once again to travel the country building his fan base. Fast forward to 2011 and Kai just signed a deal for a new album that is set to be released in the second half of the year. Kai came on as PPPC’s contemporary music director 12 months ago and quickly set out to put some of Los Angeles best musician together to create a world-class worship band for PPPC. “My goal coming into PPPC from day one has been to bring in the best musicians I know to help create an uplifting and inspiring musical experience that will hopefully bring them closer to God. I feel truly blessed to be apart of this amazing community, and I look forward to sharing the love of god through music with all who attend.”
	Julie Baczewski Nursery School Director This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it Julie Baczewski graduated with a BA in Speech Communication, Psychology, and English from Cal State LA; and from Pepperdine University with a Masters Degree in Education with a specialty in Early Childhood Development. She worked in the field of Early Childhood Education for ten years - starting as a Mommy and Me facilitator, then as a substitute teacher, and finally was Director at Little Village Nursery School, a parent cooperative nursery school in West Los Angeles. Julie began as Director at Palisades Presbyterian Nursery School in July of 1999.
	Nancy Takacs Church Administrator This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it Nancy Takacs has been our Church Administrator since 2009. Originally born in Toronto, Canada, Nancy came to the United States in 1965. She graduated from UCLA with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology but has always worked in the areas of finance and management. Nancy has been married to Mark Takacs since 1978 and they have three children.
	Natalie Kelley Youth Director This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
	Benny Serrano Maintenance

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February 26, 2012

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