Margaret “Maggie” Atterbury, Music Associate, born and raised in England, grew up in a musical home. She began serious study of the piano at age nine. Maggie’s first teacher was so impressed with her talent that she sent her off to a different teacher, one trained to present instruction in the tradition of The Royal School of Music.

During her youth, Maggie played in school assemblies and music festivals. She was offered the opportunity to apply for a scholarship to The Royal School of Music in London but was unable to take advantage of that opportunity because her parents wanted her to get a job and contribute to the household.

It was at that time that Maggie began participating in bicycle races, where she met her future husband. They married, and left England for the United States, settling in Massachusetts.

Looking for a place to have her first child christened, Maggie began attending the local Episcopalian church. There she taught Sunday school and had opportunities to play piano for the children’s songs, later becoming the director of the children’s choir and accompanist for the Sunday night hymn sing. Thus, by the time she and her family moved to California, Maggie—now the stay-at-home mother of four children—was already really back into music. Her first music position in California was Music Director for a small church in North County. After divorce, Maggie attended Solana Beach Presbyterian, where she had her first exposure to Christian contemporary music.

Maggie has been a member of the music staff here at PB UMC since January 1990. Over the years, her responsibilities have become more diverse, now including administrative assistant work for the choir, in addition to her accompanist duties. Although she is active in many aspects of the church, most notable are her beautiful piano solos and organ/piano duets performed with director Ron Jessee. “Ron has been so important to me in my musical growth,” says Maggie. “And both April and Ron have been instrumental in my continued spiritual growth.”