Ben Kerswell, the 2016 John R. Rodland Memorial Scholarship recipient, is a senior organ performance major studying with Dr. Catherine Rodland at St. Olaf College. Winner of the 2017 North Central AGO/Quimby Regional Competition, he will perform as a Rising Star at the 2018 National AGO Convention in Kansas City. Before attending St. Olaf College, Ben studied organ with Joanne Rodland and piano with Elizabeth Martyn. He has performed solo recitals in Iowa City; St. Paul, MN; New York City; and Ridgewood, NJ. A section leader in the St. Olaf Choir, he most recently sang with and accompanied the group on their international tour to Japan and South Korea. He has held organist positions at Pompton Valley Presbyterian Church in NJ, Holy Spirit Roman Catholic Church in Pequannock, NJ, and All Saints Episcopal Church in Northfield, MN. He now serves as the organ scholar at The Church of St. Louis, King of France in St. Paul, MN.