Conductor Michael D. Belt is the director of music at First United Methodist Church, Newark. Michael received musical training from Muskingum University in New Concord, Ohio. Michael has been a member of several church choirs and has been the head of several church music programs in a variety of denominations including: Presbyterian (PCUSA), Lutheran (ELCA), and United Methodist. He has experience working with and directing adult choirs, handbell choirs, children’s choirs, and collegiate level choirs. In addition to Michael’s duties at FUMC, he also works as the financial secretary at First United Methodist Church, Lancaster.
Prior to FUMC, Michael was the full-time director of music at Kanawha United Presbyterian Church in Charleston, West Virginia. While in WV, Michael sang in the tenor section with the Opus Chorale of West Virginia under the direction of David Donathan. Michael also studied private organ lessons with Donathan on the 28 rank Rieger-Kloss, Opus 3685 at KUPC and the 40 rank Holtkamp, Opus 1917, 1975 at Christ Church United Methodist.
