Martin Luther once said “Music is the largess of God.”

Hello Largess!

Unity of Beaverton is pleased to announce that our Music Ministry has been strengthened through prayer!  Recently, one of Portland’s most recognized and admired composer/pianists, Michael Allen Harrison graced our church with his nod to lead our music program as Music Director.  Michael’s technical accomplishments are myriad.  Performing for President Clinton, Vice President Al Gore, Quincy Jones and the Dalai Lama, Michael has also been the opening act for the Celebrity Forum Speaker Series highlighting Walter Cronkite, Jerry Spence, Margaret Thatcher, Jerry Lewis, Colin Powell, Jan Schlichtman and James Whitmore.

Michael has received many accolades, including a NASA Orbiting Certificate for air play in space on the space shuttle Endeavor and one of his albums went up on the space shuttle Discovery.  Michael has also performed at the United nations, premiering his tribute song “Remembrance” for the 50^th Anniversary of Israel’s Independence and he has a Star set in stone in front of the Portland Performing Arts Center.

An even greater treasure is Michael’s philanthropic outreach to the Rose City.  As an activist for an initiative he calls “Bring Back The Music”, Michael launched “Ten Grands” and The Snowman Foundation in 2000.  “Ten Grands” is the main platform where Michael and nine other pianists perform together on ten pianos to benefit The Snowman Foundation that supports school programs where music has been eliminated due to budget cuts and provides instruments and scholarships for kids who can’t afford them.  In addition, Michael has released over twenty Benefit CDs in the continued support of his beloved community.

Our latest addition, Julianne Johnson has accepted the joyful challenge of growing our Unity of Beaverton choir.  Recording artist, actress and director, Julianne Johnson has thrilled audiences in the Northwest as well as internationally for more than 25 years.  She has been featured on numerous philanthropic CD projects and received the 2003 Father Thomas Oddo Community Service from the University of Portland for her work with The American Cancer Society, Oregon Food Bank, Race for the Cure and many more.  

Julianne has been featured on KATU TV’s AM Northwest morning show and Channel 12’s Good Day Oregon show.  And you can often find her in close proximity to our very own Michael Allen Harrison.  Together, they recently released a CD project labeled “Easy”.  Julianne holds a Degree in Fine Arts and teaches at Portland  Community College. 

We’re thrilled to have  Julianne’s energy and passion at Unity of Beaverton.

Pianist Andrea Johnson is our accompanist for the Unity of Beaverton Angel Street Choir.  Andrea started playing piano at the age of five.  By the time she was 12, music had become a huge part of her life.  “I started competing more and performing in the area,” she says.  “Music became a monster that was taking over my life.  That’s what it is now.  It’s taken over my life and I love it!”

Andrea was one of 25 students chosen nationwide to receive the Jack Kent Cooke Young Artist Award in the amount of $10,000 to further her musical talents.  The foundation paired with the OPB radio program From the Top to identify and nurture talented young musicians whose lack of financial resources might otherwise impede their progress.