Elissa Winkler
Director of Music in Worship
Elissa earned her Bachelor’s degree in music education from the University of Hartford's Hartt School of Music, where she also studied voice and composition.
She has been a featured soloist and worship leader across the country, most notably for Child Evangelism and Prison Fellowship conferences.
Elissa also worked several summers at the Christian family resort Camp-of-the-Woods in Speculator, NY, where she served as a frequent soloist. While there, she met her husband Chad and they began to lead worship together at chapel services.
Elissa has taught music in a variety of genres including musical theater direction, choral conducting, private teaching and coaching, and early childhood music. She is owner and operator of Bethel Park Music Studio, where she and her staff instruct students from all over the South Hills of Pittsburgh.
For Elissa, music education in the church parallels spiritual formation, especially with the church’s youngest singers: “Directing the children’s choirs gives me the opportunity to help instill a foundational faith in our church’s youth. Because music is truly a gift from God, it’s a great way to help children understand what it means to have a relationship with Jesus, while developing musical skills that will last a lifetime.”
At Beverly Heights, Elissa directs the adult choir and the two children’s choirs, and serves as worship leader for the New Worship services.
Elissa and Chad have three children: Hudson, Selah and Isaiah.