Biography
Teresa Clawson has been an associate instructor for the University of Utah School of Music Organ Preparatory Division since 2008. Her duties include teaching group organ classes, private lessons, programming semester student organ recitals, and assisting in summer organ camps and field trips. She also has maintained a private piano and organ studio since 1986.
Teresa is currently serving as an organist for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, playing the organ, for the Jordan River Temple. Previous to this assignment, Teresa served as an organist in the Salt Lake Temple from 2011 until its closure. She has served as an organist for various congregations along the Wasatch Front since she was 14 years old. She has worked as a professional organist for First Congregational Church of Salt Lake City for nearly 8 years and Bountiful First Baptist Church for 2 ½ years. She currently works as an organist for First United Methodist Church of Salt Lake City.
She earned her MMus (2013) and BMus (2010) in Organ Performance at the University of Utah. She was instrumental in the University of Utah’s formation of a master’s degree in Organ Performance, and was its first recipient. Her teachers include: Dr. Kenneth Udy, Dr. Linda Margetts, Bonnie Goodliffe, and Roy Darley.
She has earned the Associate (2011) and Colleague (2009) certificates with the American Guild of Organists. She is active in the Salt Lake Chapter of the American Guild of Organists and has served on the program committee, as a district convenor, and coordinator and presenter of Super Saturday events.
Teresa has accompanied many soloists, choirs, and ensembles in a variety of venues, including the University of Utah Women’s Chorus and University of Utah Philharmonia, as well as various community bands and orchestras, including the American West Symphony and Utah Wind Symphony.
Teresa is married to Coy Clawson. They are parents to six children and have 16 grandchildren.
Teaching Philosophy
“I have a great love and respect for music, which is a unique vehicle for self-expression and serves as a pathway to the soul. Making music with other people is a cooperative venture that brings a unity of purpose unparalleled by anything else I have ever experienced. My goal as a teacher is to enable the student to have the knowledge and skills necessary to tap into music’s great power and use it to bless the lives of others as well as themselves.”
Courses Taught
- Organ Group Classes
- Organ - Private Lessons