BRETT VALLIANT, a native of Wichita, Kansas, realized his love of music at an early age. Brett began piano studies at age 4, continuing through organ instruction at Wichita State University. Brett’s professional career began at age 11, and by the age of 15, he was playing concerts around the United States. Since then Brett has appeared in Europe, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. Additionally, in the U.S. Brett has performed for the American Film Institute, as well as at conventions of the American Theatre Organ Society (ATOS) and the American Guild of Organists (AGO). After years of filling in for Charlie and Lew at Organ Stop, Brett happily joined the Organ Stop musical staff in 2015. In 2021, Brett was named Organist of the Year by the American Theatre Organ Society. In addition to playing the organ, Brett’s friends know him for his love of ice and roller skating, animals, cooking, and classic cars.
GLENN TALLAR relocated from Chicago, Ill., in 2021 to join the musical team at Organ Stop Pizza. He was twice awarded the American Theatre Organ Society, Young Organist scholarship, allowing him to study with renowned organist, Jelani Eddington. A versatile musician, Tallar played baritone saxophone in bands throughout his high school and college years. He was the 2008 George Wright Fellowship Award winner which gave him the opportunity to attend his first ATOS convention in Indianapolis. Tallar is not only an impressive musician, but he also has the skill set to do extensive repair work on the organ and address any tuning needs the world-famous Mighty Wurlitzer may need. This ability is invaluable in today’s era where there are very few of these instruments left in the U.S. Tallar began playing in pizza restaurants when he was just 14- years old. In addition to his instrumentalist skills, Tallar also has a diverse background in theatrical lighting and special effects. In his spare time, Glenn enjoys playing hockey and working on cars.
SEAMUS GETHICKER hails from Bath, Maine. He is the 2016 winner of the American Theatre Organ Society’s Young Organist Competition and has since had the privilege of performing at venues across the country. Seamus’ interest in pipe organs began at age 8, when he attended a Christmas concert at Merrill Auditorium in Portland, Maine, and first witnessed the mighty Kotzschmar Organ played by Ray Cornils, with whom he later studied classical organ throughout middle and high school. Soon after discovering the pipe organ, he suddenly found out about the theatre organ by stumbling across a video online of the late Charlie Balogh, performing at Organ Stop Pizza, and was instantly hooked. Since 2022, Seamus was added to the exclusive list of Organ Stop Pizza, Guest Artists. Having a broad taste in music, Seamus’ programs contain a wide variety of selections that is sure to have something for everyone. When not at the console, you may catch Seamus buzzing about the skies, as he continues his interest in aviation.
DONNA PARKER currently resides in Portland, Oregon. While she does not play a regular schedule with us at Organ Stop Pizza, Donna plays many nights on our Mighty Wurlitzer each year, filling in for Brett or Glenn. Donna began her organ studies at the age of 7. At the age of 15, she debuted her first recording and became the official organist of Dodger Stadium and the L.A. Sports Arena in Los Angeles. She originally joined the Organ Stop staff in the early 1970s, playing at the Phoenix location. Since that time, Donna has played at several organ-equipped pizza parlors across the country. As an active concert organist as well, Donna has performed throughout the US, Canada, Europe, and Australia. In 1996 she received the acclaimed “Organist of the Year” award by The ATOS.
A native of Lafayette, Louisiana, LEW WILLIAMS began playing the organ at age ten and started formal piano studies five years later. At Texas Christian University, he won several competitions in organ playing, gave numerous recitals, and graduated with a Bachelor of Music degree and Performers Certificate, studying with Emmit G. Smith. At Southern Methodist University, Lew earned a Master of Music degree as an organ pupil of Dr. Robert T. Anderson. He also won the regional competition of the American Guild of Organists. From 1979 until 1987, he was the staff organist at Organ Stop Pizza restaurants in Phoenix and Mesa. Concert work has taken him around the USA several times. He has played five concert tours in England, where he was engaged twice as a clinician at the annual Cinema Organ Society Workshop in London. A frequent recitalist at conventions of both the American Guild of Organists and the American Theatre Organ Society, he was named “Organist of the Year” by the ATOS in 1988.
