Music Ministry Staff

Matthew Greer

Director of Music & Worship Arts

Matthew Greer has served as Director of Music and Worship Ministries at St. John’s since 2003. Matt directs the Chancel and Sonrise Choirs, and oversees both the music ministry’s role in worship and its community outreach. In recent years he served as adjunct choral faculty at the University of New Mexico, served as a guest conductor for the New Mexico Philharmonic and was a recipient of Creative Albuquerque's Bravo! Awards, honoring artistic innovation, entrepreneurship and community impact. He also serves as Artistic Director of Quintessence: A Community of Singers. A native of Kansas City, Matt has degrees in music and theology from Trinity University and Boston University.

Jim Ahrend

Organist/Pianist & Artist-In-Residence

Originally from New York and an Alumnus of New England Conservatory, Jim Ahrend has been with St. John's since August 2019. Jim has continually held church music positions since age 13 in various settings and styles. His compositions have been featured nationally in UCC campaigns and celebrations. Since moving to Albuquerque in 2008, Jim's activities have included gigs of all types; coordinating a 3-year weekly jazz vespers called Faith, Hope and Jazz; teaching/accompanying jazz at Outpost Performance Space and UNM; and piano tuning for hundreds of NM clients. Jim and his wife Jodi enjoy their combined five grown kids and seven grandchildren.

Gil Flores

Praise Band Director & Media Coordinator

A native of Guadalajara Mexico, Gil Flores has been an Albuquerque resident since 2010. Gil is the owner/operator of Qantares Recording Studio here in Albuquerque.

Prior to arriving in New Mexico, Gil was the Worship Arts Pastor at “The Worship Centre” - a mega church with multiple campuses all throughout Central California.   Gil has a daughter named Olivia and when he isn’t working, Gil and Olivia can be found taking walks in the Nob Hill district of Albuquerque, dancing to Latin Music, playing futbol (soccer) or hunting for REAL Mexican tacos.

Olga Perez Flora

Artist-In-Residence

Dr. Olga Perez Flora is Assistant Professor of Voice and Head of the Voice Area at The University of New Mexico. A proud Cuban-American, she is passionate about creating and bringing new life to roles in Hispanic and Latin American opera. Lauded by Opera News for her “smoky tones” and “firm, pleasant voice and lively poise,” she has been recognized for notable work in Spanish/English operas. Internationally known as a recitalist, Dr. Flora has performed several recitals with companies across the United States, Cuba, and in Italy. Dr. Flora holds the Doctorate in Musical Arts from The Ohio State University, the Master in Music in opera theater from Arizona State University and the Bachelor in Music in vocal performance from Northern Arizona University.

James Flora

Artist-In-Residence

Professor James Flora is on the voice faculty of the University of New Mexico. Hailed for his “resonant, impeccably-trained voice and fearlessness to his singing,” he has received acclaim in repertoire ranging from Verdi and Wagner to works by Carlisle Floyd and Daron Hagen. Mr. Flora has sung with the Metropolitan Opera Chorus under Maestro Donald Palumbo in their most recent productions of Die Meistersinger von Nürenberg and Fidelio. James has performed leading roles in opera companies across the United States. James was a Young American Artist with Glimmerglass Opera, a Resident Artist with Pittsburgh Opera, and a Marion Roose Pullin Studio Artist with Arizona Opera where he made his operatic debut as Malcolm in Verdi’s Macbeth. In 2010, James was a Richard Tucker finalist. He holds voice degrees from The Ohio State University (B.M. in Vocal Performance, Summa cum laude) and Florida State University (M.M. in Vocal Performance).