Music Ministry Staff

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.

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.

Nathan Cleaveland is a conductor, organist, and pianist who has served in church music leadership positions since 2018. He was active as a pianist and vocalist while growing up in Atlanta, participating in choirs, jazz ensembles, and theater pit orchestras. Nathan later moved to Minnesota to pursue a degree in piano performance from St. Olaf College, where he also gained valuable experience in organ performance and conducting. After relocating to Albuquerque in 2020, he has worked extensively with both soloists and choirs, becoming a sought-after collaborative pianist. Nathan most recently earned a Master of Choral Conducting from the University of New Mexico, where he is still an active pianist and collaborator.

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.