Originally from northwestern New Jersey, Peter Solecki holds degrees from Immaculata University (BM, Music Education) and University of Delaware (MM, Choral Conducting). At St. Vincent Martyr Catholic Church, he oversees a large, comprehensive liturgical music program and directs the Parish Choir, Handbell Choir, and Contemporary Ensemble.
Prior to St. Vincent Martyr, Peter was Director of Choral Activities at Elkton High School in Elkton, MD, where he directed five choirs as well as taught four levels of Piano. Choirs under Mr. Solecki's direction performed four school concerts per year, annually received overall superior ratings at District and State Choral Festivals, and were known for their collaborative nature and for using music as means to positively affect the world.
Previous liturgical music postings include Director of Music at St. Ann Catholic Church in Wilmington, DE, Choir Director and Organist at St. Edmond Catholic Church in Rehoboth Beach, DE, and Director of Music and Worship at Immaculate Conception/St. Jude Catholic Church in Elkton and North East, MD.
An accomplished choral singer, Peter has sung internationally in Spain, France, Germany, Austria, Greece, Hungary, Croatia, and Israel.
Peter holds professional membership in and is an active member of the American Choral Director's Association, the National Association for Music Education, the American Guild of Organists, and the National Association of Pastoral Musicians.
Peter lives in New Jersey with his wife, Ashley, sons, Luke and Mark, and dog, Jersey!
Lauren Johnson is a PreK-12 NJ certified Music Teacher who holds two undergraduate degrees from Westminster Choir College in Music Education and Sacred Music and a graduate degree in Education Leadership from William Paterson University. Teaching music is truly her greatest passion. She is so excited to be leading the Choristers at SVM!
Lauren has been teaching music to children and adults since 2015. She has taught in public schools, at camps, at churches, and in private lessons. Lauren has performed major choral works around the world with Westminster Kantorei, Westminster Symphonic Choir, Delaware Choral Scholars, the New York Philharmonic, the Philadelphia Orchestra, Juilliard 415, and the Princeton Symphony Orchestra. She also enjoys performing a variety of genres as a solo artist, and works to translate this expertise over to the rehearsal space to enrich students' experiences of these many types of music.
In addition to her love of music, Lauren enjoys playing tennis, traveling, hiking, and enjoying nature, spending time with family and friends, and playing with her cat, Pippa!
Lauren is overjoyed and honored to be a part of the SVM family. She knows that faith-inspired music-making will ensure her students’ success, growth, enjoyment, and empowerment, not only as musicians but as children of God.
Linda Loria, Organist, began her career at the age of 13, playing the organ at St. Michael’s Ukrainian Orthodox Church in Hammond, Indiana. She studied piano at the Chicago Conservatory of Music and organ at Indiana University. She has earned the Service Playing Certificate from the AGO (American Guild of Organists). Former Dean of the Metro NJ AGO Chapter, Linda is also a member of NPM (National Pastoral Musicians) and member emeritus of MEA (Music Educators Association). She recently retired from teaching piano for more than forty years. A career highlight was accompanying the St. Vincent Martyr Pilgrim Choir with director Vicky Martell in 1992 on a concert tour of Italy, culminating with Sunday Mass at the Vatican. Linda is the proud mother of four children, seven grandchildren, and resides in East Hanover with her husband Joseph. She is happy and humbled to be part of the outstanding music ministry here at St. Vincent Martyr!