Karen Eiler Karpow - Pastor
I am a native Hoosier, but I’ve been living in Connecticut for more than 25 years, long enough for New England to feel like home. After graduation from Butler University, where I majored in German and French, I worked for ten years in marketing and management for IBM in Chicago, Raleigh, and New York. When my second child was born, I left IBM and embarked on an extended time of caring for family, volunteering in my community, and part-time work in my local church, all the while explaining to God why I could not possibly go to seminary. In 2000 I finally gave in and started my Master of Divinity degree at Yale Divinity School. I worked at Jesse Lee Memorial UMC in Ridgefield, CT, from September 2002 through June 2007, first as Seminarian in Residence and then as Associate Pastor. In July 2007 I was appointed as pastor to the Danbury United Methodist Church. I have three children: two college graduates, and a senior at Danbury High School. In my free time, I enjoy reading, writing, drawing, hiking, sailing, music, and cooking for family and friends.
Mark Adamy - Music Director
Originally from New England, Mark is an experienced performing artist, producer, composer and conductor/director. In addition to being the Music Director at UMCD, he is also a music teacher at the Wooster School here in Danbury. Mark has studied music since his early childhood and has been performing professionally from the age of 12. He attended the distinguished Berklee College of Music in Boston. While living in Boston, Mark became a popular artist there and won several honors including Entertainer of the Year and Boston Music Award nominations. He now resides in the New York City area. Concerts and tour credits span a wide range of styles and include performances with Chaka Khan, James Brown, The Four Tops, John-Lee Hooker, Pieces of a Dream, Lisa Fisher, John Secada, Howard Hewitt, Phil Driscoll, Phil Keaggy, Warren Hill, Roger Humphries and many others. Mark has also played keyboard for Broadway productions and has been the musical director for off-Broadway productions in NYC. As a devoted church musician, Mark has also worked for a diverse group of churches throughout the northeast in various positions ranging from Lead Musician to Worship Leader. Mark has a long list of CD/album credits that cover a wide range of genres. For more information about Mark, or to hear a selection of Mark’s music, visit www.markadamy.com.
Carol Spaulding - Associate Music Director
Serving as lead Music Director for our Oasis service, Carol brings to UMCD a deep knowledge of church music and a wide range of talents and skills. Carol has led volunteer choral groups for youth, adults, and children in church settings for more than 25 years. She performs many styles on piano and violin and is adept at leading worship music in classical, contemporary or blended styles. She often arranges customized vocal and instrumental parts to bring out the gifts and talents of members of the congregation. One of her strengths is presenting music to enhance and encourage worship. Carol studied piano performance and music theory/composition at Vassar College as an undergraduate, and brings extensive experience performing and teaching in the Danbury area. She also has worked in various positions in Information Technology in the financial industry. In 2005, she began a graduate program in Speech-Language Pathology at Southern CT State University, receiving her Master of Science degree in May, 2010. Carol always looks for opportunities to combine her passion for music with her interest in human communication. While studying speech-language pathology, she began a singing group for adults recovering from stroke and/or TBI with speech impairments, and used music in working with preschool children. She is currently a practicing Speech-Language Pathologist working with elementary school children. She lives with her husband and two children in Danbury.