SMI Leadership

Keynote Speaker and Institute Co-Director

Mark Andrew Miller

Mark Miller believes passionately that music can change the world. He also believes in Cornell West’s quote that “Justice is what love looks like in public.” His dream is that the music he composes, performs, teaches, and leads will inspire and empower people to create the beloved community.

Mark serves is Assistant Professor of Church Music at Drew Theological School and is a Lecturer in the Practice of Sacred Music at Yale University. He also is the Minister of Music of Christ Church in Summit, New Jersey.  Since 1999 Mark has led music for United Methodists around the country, including directing music for the 2008 General Conference. His choral anthems are best sellers for Abingdon Press and his hymns are published in “Worship & Song”, “Sing! Prayer and Praise”, “Zion Still Sings”, “Amazing Abundance”, “The Faith We Sing”, and others.

Mark received his Bachelor of Arts in Music from Yale University and his Master of Music in Organ Performance from Juilliard.

Worship Leader and Institute Co-Director

Rev. Tanya Linn Bennett, PhD.

An ordained elder in the Greater New Jersey Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church, Dr. Linn Bennett serves as the University Chaplain/Director of the Chapel and Religious Life at Drew University. Tanya is a Lecturer in the areas of emerging worship, educational ministries, and church and society, and has particular interest in the areas of worship, youth and urban ministries. She earned her Ph.D. in Sociology of Religion; her work focused on the Millennium Generation in Christian church. Tanya served on the worship team for the United Methodist General Conference 2008 and is a delegate for the GNJAC in 2012.  She leads worship for various national and global United Methodist events, and also facilitates workshops, retreats and seminars. She can be reached at tbennett@drew.edu.She can be reached at  tbennett@drew.edu.