Gina Marie is the Business/Creative Director, Worship Leader and vocalist for the band. Passion for her faith and the youth called Gina Marie into church ministry over twenty years ago! She views her work as a vocation and a true calling from God! Gina Marie is the founder & developer of BRANCHES, a High School ministry program, T.W.I.G.S. (a Jr. High School equivalent program), ROOTED for Young Adults and STATIC Peer Leadership Team. She currently is employed as the Pastoral Associate and the Director of the Confirmation, 8th Grade Faith Formation and Youth & Young Adult Ministries at St. Therese Parish in Cresskill, N.J. Gina Marie holds a lay ministry Certification in Youth & Young Adult Ministry earned from the Center for Spiritual & Theological Development at the College of St. Elizabeth in Morristown, N.J. and she is a member of TAK–The National Honor Society for Theology & Religious Studies and a member of NACYML-the National Association of Catholic Youth Ministry Leaders. Gina Marie has been certified and trained and studied the spirituality and ministry of St. John Bosco (the patron saint of all youth), and is a Salesian style minister. Over the years she has trained vocally in the rock, pop & theatre genre, as well as in dance and dramatic arts and has worked as a professional secular vocalist in local wedding and club bands for over ten years. Gina Marie holds a Bachelors in Theology from the College of St. Elizabeth and prays that the youth & young adults of today will open their hearts to what the Lord is calling them to!
Paul is the Music Director, vocalist and keyboardist for the band. For over fifteen years, Paul has been employed as a Certified Cantor and Organist the Archdiocese of Newark. He is the organist and cantor for worship services, funerals and weddings at St. Joseph Church in Lodi and throughout the New Jersey area. Paul is trained classically on piano and organ and is trained vocally in opera and musical theater. As an active member of the National Association of Pastoral Musicians, Paul attends annual workshops and conventions and has been an avid teacher of piano and music theory. In 2001, Paul was a member of the Ars Musica Choir, having performed Donizetti’s La Favorita at Carnegie Hall and John Harms Theater. Other accolades include involvement with the Bergen County Choir, the NJ Regional and the NJ Allstate choirs. He has also cantored at the Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart in Newark, NJ. Academically, Paul holds a Ph.D. in Health Sciences Leadership from the School of Health and Medical Sciences at Seton Hall University, a Master of Biomedical Sciences degree from the University of Medicine & Dentistry of New Jersey (UMDNJ) and a Bachelor of Science degree in Biological Sciences from Rutgers University. Paul is a published author in the field of Music Therapy and regularly writes and lectures on Complementary and Alternative Medicine approaches in the context of cost-efficiency practices for leaders and interdisciplinary teams in various healthcare institutions. Sharing the gift of song along with the band has been both a rewarding and fulfilling experience. Paul is grateful for the opportunity to spark change in others through music and, in doing so, move individuals closer to their faith.
Peter is the electric guitarist for the band. Pete learned the basics of music playing trombone in his elementary school band. At the age of fourteen, Pete discovered an old electric guitar in the trash, fixed it up and taught himself how to play. Years later, lessons from the late great Don Manzo and additional training in jazz helped him to become a more accomplished musician. Pete is currently a musician at the weekly religious masses at St. Joseph Church in Lodi, NJ. Pete has played guitar for youth ministry events, concerts, holiday events, confirmations, weddings and funerals. Pete has been a member of several cover and original artist bands consisting of many diverse types of music. As a core member of Moving Faith since its inception, Pete has found himself to not only be a lead instrumentalist but also a team mentor to the younger generations of the band.
Steve is the percussionist for the band. Steve was introduced to music in 1st grade when his parents sent him for accordion lessons and soon after joined the school orchestra. His passion for drums began on his seventh Christmas when he received his first set of drums. Steve’s influences come from the rock and roll and contemporary jazz genres. In the earlier stages of his musical development, Steve played with musicians in the Hudson County area and then ventured into local pubs and the college circuit with several rock bands. Steve is a current member of the “Couples for Christ” organization, playing drums in the music ministry in the North Jersey Chapter and monthly Filipino and special masses during the year at St. Joseph Church in Lodi. As a member of “Moving Faith,” Steve is grateful to be able to share his gifts from God with such talented musicians, while continuing to serve in all ways for the greater glory of God.
Dominick is the drummer for the band. Living out of Lodi, NJ, Dominick has been a member of St. Joseph Church Parish since 1996 and a member of Moving Faith since 2017. Dominick began his relationship with percussion in the fourth grade. In 2018, Dominick received a B.A. in General Psychology and is currently working toward a Master of Social Work at Kean University. Dominick also has musical experience from years playing in various bands and ensembles at Lodi High School and at many local venues, including The Blue Room, with his former band, “Without Wax.” Dominick attributes his greatest influences as Andy Hurley and Moving Faith’s founding drummer, Steve.
Filomena “Mena” is the clarinetist and a vocalist in Moving Faith. Beginning with the band at its start from 2007 to 2009, Mena has returned in 2018. Mena is a NJ certified music educator and has been teaching music since 2009. She has taught in a variety of school settings including Elizabeth Public Schools, Newark, Calderone School of Music in East Hanover and Celebrate the Children in Denville, NJ. Mena’s passion for working with students with special needs has led her to her current position at Banyan School, a private special education school for diverse learners in Little Falls and Fairfield, NJ. Mena holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Music with a minor in Art History from Rutgers University. She also has musical theater experience in both performing and directing. Mena is a trained clarinetist, having played for over 20 years, and a classical soprano, having studied at the Margaret Leary vocal studio for two years for voice. Additionally, Mena has formal conducting training, having studied under Maestro Kynan Johns. Mena has used her own professional music experiences and knowledge of music theory to develop choirs and conduct private tutoring for piano, voice and clarinet. Mena also enjoys organizing youth & young adult group activities, performing in concerts and directing an annual summer Bible school camp. Mena has a strong belief that music can heal, touch, teach, and inspire and is excited to be part of Moving Faith and its message of God’s love sharing her gifts through music.