Leadership/Staff

Organist

Our organist, Eric Machan Howd, joined the Church of the Epiphany in 2023. Eric is a dedicated church musician and recitalist serving the Finger Lakes region, where he combines a deep technical mastery of the pipe organ with a lifelong commitment to liturgical music. Based in the Ithaca and Trumansburg area, Eric is known for his ability to weave together traditional hymnody, contemporary choral accompaniment, and virtuosic solo repertoire to enhance the spiritual experience of the worship service.

As a pipe organist, Eric brings a nuanced understanding of the instrument’s physical and tonal complexities to his performances. His approach to the bench is marked by both precision and passion, ensuring that the "King of Instruments" serves as a powerful vessel for community prayer and celebration. Whether leading a congregation in song or performing complex preludes and postludes, his work is grounded in the belief that music is an essential bridge between the sacred and the everyday. Eric was trained as a classical pianist/accompanist by private instructors in New Jersey where he grew up as well as Ithaca College School of Music faculty (Ithaca, NY); he is also a two-time graduate of the Royal Academy of Church Music where he learned from choir masters from Great Britain on the Princeton University campus; this two-week program culminated in a concert at St. Thomas church in New York City, NY.

Beyond the organ loft, Eric is a multi-faceted creative and educator. His background in literary arts and poetry informs his musical sensitivity, allowing him to approach liturgy with a keen eye for narrative and emotional resonance. He actively participates in the Ithaca arts community, frequently collaborating with local writers and performers to foster a vibrant cultural landscape.

Eric continues to serve the local community through his music and poetry, bringing a spirit of excellence and a heart for service to every manual and pedal he touches.