Music is literally in Russell’s DNA. His grandfather led the Naval Academy Vagabond Orchestra for 47 years; his great-aunt was an occasional concert pianist for the New York Philharmonic Orchestra; and his aunt organized numerous benefit concerts in Annapolis and performed on piano. Russell began playing piano at age 4, and performed throughout Europe as a teenager. He won first place twice in the 16/17 year-old category in a European competition for original music composition and orchestration, and studied for one summer at the Berlin Conservatory of Music. During college, he paid tuition by serving as choir director for several churches, including Catholic, Presbyterian, and Baptist, offering broad exposure to many styles of music. While studying conducting under retired Maestro Prentis Melder, Russell developed an appreciation of orchestration and conducting. Today, the Lord has led him to Trinity Methodist Church and called him to bring people to the Lord’s altar through music.