Mr. Donald Piers, Director of Music & Arts

Donald (Don) Piers was born in Holland Michigan.  His family transplanted to Fort Lauderdale, Florida where he grew up in south Florida.  Don met his wife Robyn in undergraduate school at Jacksonville University where he earned his Bachelor’s in Music Education.  After serving as a band director in both Jacksonville and Fernandina Beach public school systems, he earned a Master’s in Church Music from Westminster Choir College in Princeton, New Jersey.  Don served as Director of Worship at Kendall Presbyterian Church in Miami, Florida for 10 years where all three of his children were born.  He went on to serve as Director of Music and Arts at Westminster Presbyterian Church in Rock Hill, South Carolina for over 22 years. 

Don and his wife, Robyn have three children: DJ (wife Jill), Kathryn (husband Jacob Klos), and Jason.

Don and Robyn joined the Woodlawn family in 2019 have been a tremendous blessing to the church and the Lord’s work. Don serves as the Director or Music and Arts, leading all aspects of music worship and service at Woodlawn.

Mr. Jim Orr, Organist

Jim has served for 11 years as organist at Woodlawn.

He served 12 years as Organist-Choirmaster at Westminster Presbyterian Church, Charlotte, and came to Woodlawn after 19 years as Organist and Music Assistant at First Baptist Church, Charlotte.

He is a graduate of Furman University and the School of Sacred Music of Union Theological Seminary in New York. He has done further graduate study in organ at Indiana University in Bloomington, Indiana.

In addition to serving as Organist, Jim assists each week in editing the Sunday bulletin.

His greatest joy is in accompanying music for the worship of God. 

Mrs. Connie Standridge, Pianist

Connie has served as pianist for Woodlawn for 17 years. She began piano lessons at the age of 5 and started playing in church at age 14. She has used her ability in churches in North and South Carolina.

Connie is a graduate of Clemson University and is a retired teacher of grades 3-5 in Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools. She gives God the glory for blessing her with a talent she can share with others.

Ms. Beth Sauls, Financial Secretary

Beth became Woodlawn’s Financial Secretary in August of 2016.  She also serves on the Woodlawn Mission/Evangelism Committee.

Sharing Christ’s love in service to others is a true passion of hers.  She has been a member of Woodlawn since May, 2019.

She was born in Gastonia, NC, but was primarily raised in South Georgia.  She moved back to NC about 25 years ago and now lives in Charlotte, NC.

Prior to coming to Woodlawn, she worked at Queens University of Charlotte as Director of Advancement Services for over 20 years.

Beth enjoys walking, reading, and spending time in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia.  She also loves spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren.