Whether providing seasonal tuning, needed repairs, or concert preparation, the team at Red River possess the expertise to ensure the king of instruments sounds its finest.
John Riester grew up in Indianapolis, where his passion for all things pipe organ started. Prior to moving to Oklahoma, John worked at the Midwest firms of Goulding and Wood, Martin Ott and the Berghaus Organ Company. Most recently, Mr. Riester was shop director at the University of Oklahoma American Organ Institute, where he worked for twelve years. John Riester has a degree in organ performance and organ technologies from Indiana University. He plays the piano and organ for the First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Norman.
Carolyn has been working with Red River Pipe Organ Company since the Fall of 2020, and currently serves as project manager and lead service technician. She enjoys being on the road for service calls, and particularly finds her stride during tuning seasons. Learning the different challenges and joys of various builders across the eras is of particular interest to Carolyn, and she delights in the “lightbulb” moments of realizing the issues at hand and how to remedy them. In addition to her work with Red River, Carolyn also serves as principal organist and pianist at Mayflower Congregational Church (UCC) in Oklahoma City. Carolyn and her wife Jacy have a zoo of many pets. In her spare time, she likes being a homebody and reading, cooking, baking, and gardening. They also enjoy getting outside and hiking in nature.
Carolyn was born and raised in Troy, OH. She went on to receive her bachelor of science degree from the University of North Texas in Integrative Studies (music, biology, and chemistry). After discovering the organ at a church music conference in 2018, Carolyn studied with Dr.Melissa Plamann and earned a master of music in organ performance from Oklahoma City University (‘21).
Dylan earned his graduate degree (MM) at Oklahoma City University where he studied Harpsichord Performance with Professor Anastasia Abu Bakar and Professor Joseph Ripka as well as having completed his Orchestral Conducting degree with Professor Jeffrey Grogan.
Dylan has had success as a conductor and is known for his unique “vignette-style” programming where he is able to masterfully capture the essence of a given time and place. He currently serves as Artistic Director of the Oklahoma Baroque Orchestra and Music Director of the Vitam Musica Foundation. After founding Vitam Musica and the Vitam Musica Chamber Orchestra, Dylan has collaborated with numerous musicians and artists across Oklahoma. In partial collaboration with the University of Oklahoma School of Dance, Dylan premiered the original ballet, “Bloch to Bach—A Tour de Force”, at Vitam Musica’s debut performance in Spring 2019. Since then, he has led the Vitam Musica Chamber Orchestra and Oklahoma Baroque Orchestra in numerous concerts featuring a wide range of soloists and repertoire.
From fall 2020-spring 2022, Dylan served as an Apprentice Conductor at the Oklahoma City Philharmonic and an Assistant Conductor at Oklahoma Youth Orchestras. In the summer of 2021 and 2022, Dylan had the opportunity to conduct and work with the Boise Baroque Orchestra and Maestro Robert Franz during their workshop and festival and has performed as guest principal harpsichordist since during their normal concert.
Dylan has played continuo in Oklahoma City University’s Early Music Ensemble, the Boise Baroque Orchestra, University of Oklahoma Collegium Musicum, Tactus Chamber & Vocal Ensemble, and various other recital and concert settings. While Dylan does not consider himself an organist, he has found joy in instrument repairs and in his work as a Pipe Organ Technician at the Red River Pipe Organ Co..
Bryson Foster has been a Service Technician at Red River Pipe Organ Company since 2021. He enjoys traveling around the country for service calls, discovering new organs and organ builders; exploring their various stop-list, builds, and acoustic spaces. Bryson also enjoys shop-work, particularly wiring/electrical work and leather-working. He also enjoys the constant discovery and problem-solving involved in pipe organ servicing. In addition to his work with Red River, Bryson also serves as Music Director and Organist at University Lutheran Church and Student Center in Norman, Oklahoma. Bryson enjoys sports, spending time with friends, his partner Forrest and outdoor activities.
B.S.- Vocal education and Piano (Texas A&M- Commerce)
MM- Choral Conducting and Organ (Oklahoma City University)
Daniel Gauger is a native of Little Rock, Arkansas who most recently completed his Bachelor’s of Music degree in organ performance at the University of Oklahoma under the instruction of Dr. Adam Pajan. Along with his work as an organ technician for the Red River Pipe Organ Company, Gauger also serves as Director of Music and Organist at St. James the Greater Catholic Church in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. When he’s not practicing or servicing on an instrument, Gauger enjoys spending his time composing or watching his favorite sports teams.
