Chapel Service Organist

(317) 253-6461

Dawn Waddell is the Chapel Service Organist at Second Presbyterian Church. She often works as a substitute organist in the greater Indianapolis area following the chapel service. She occasionally fills in for Dr. Allegar in the sanctuary. Dawn holds a Bachelors of Music in organ from Oberlin Conservatory, where she studied with Garth Peacock, and a Graduate Performance Diploma in organ from Peabody Conservatory, where she studied with Donald Sutherland. She minored in harp at both conservatories, studying with both Alice and Jeanne Chalifoux. She completed her studies at Indiana University, earning a Masters of Music in organ under Larry Smith, with a Church Music cognate, and a minor in continuo, studying with Elisabeth Wright.

A fan of early music, Dawn serves on the board of Indianapolis Early Music. She has sung in madrigal choirs wearing historically accurate self-made costumes for Renaissance Faires and Dickens caroling.

Dawn is mother to three artistically inclined college-aged children. She lives in Carmel with her husband Oscar. When she is not practicing she is likely creating something, by knitting, sewing, or baking.