Makena’s Organ Recital

Church organist, pianist, and composer Makena James will offer a free organ recital at Manhattan Beach Community Church on Sunday, October 29th at 11 am following that morning’s 10 am worship service. She will perform on the church’s Schlicker organ
to commemorate the instrument’s Golden Jubilee.

The program will feature Sonata No. 1 in D minor, III. Final by Alexandre Guilmant and Bolero de Concert by Louis James Lefebure-Wely. In addition, James will premiere her original composition, “7 th Inning Stretch”.

Makena James serves as organist and accompanist at Manhattan Beach Community Church while also pursuing a master of music degree in organ performance at the USC Thornton School of Music under the tutelage of Prof. Cherry Rhodes. As a recitalist, she has performed around the United States.

A reception will follow the performance.

Makena is a prizewinner in numerous competitions, including the 2021 Buffalo Chapter Organ Competition, the 2023 Charleston Spring International Music Competition, and the King’s Peak International Music Competition. Her original composition, “Fallen Star,” won in the 20th Century Music category at the Charleston International Music Competition. In
addition, Makena maintains a YouTube channel, where she performs musical arrangements and transcriptions for organ, piano, and hand-bells.

Makena received her bachelor’s degree Magna Cum Laude in organ performance at Houghton University and is the first graduate of Houghton to attend the USC Thornton School of Music. While attending Houghton, she was the first undergraduate student to be featured in Houghton’s annual homecoming concert in 2020.