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Suzanne Fairbairn is a native of northern Michigan. Miss Fairbairn began piano lessons at the age of four. She decided to follow in her mother's footsteps and began taking organ lessons at sixteen. After four years of majoring in elementary education with a music minor, Miss Fairbairn felt called to become a church musician. She holds a Masters of Music in Organ Performance from the University of Kansas. Following the Masters degree she accepted the position of Director of Music and Organist in a Methodist Church in Topeka, Kansas. This was followed by eight years at First Presbyterian Church in Laurel, Mississippi and four years at Sardis Presbyterian Church in Charlotte, North Carolina. She has been Director of Music and Organist at First Presbyterian Church of Belmont since 1992.
Admittedly, her favorite work is with children. The program at First Presbyterian has grown from three choirs to eight with five of those serving the needs of children and youth. Miss Fairbairn has played organ recitals in Alabama, Kansas, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri and North Carolina. She served as Dean of the American Guild of Organist (AGO) while in Mississippi and several terms on the Charlotte AGO Executive Board.
When Miss Fairbairn is not teaching children and adults to sing and ring, she trains dogs and shows in competition obedience trials. She is the training director for Carolina Canine Obedience Association. To promote animal care and welfare, she speaks to school children and scout troops. She also does therapy dog work at Holy Angels. She shares her home with two standard poodles and a miniature.
