Organist Charles Prestinari grew up in Flanders NJ before earning Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees magna cum laude from Indiana University. In August 2008 he received his doctorate in Choral Conducting from Indiana, with minors in Organ and Church Music.
While pursuing his academic degrees, Chuck served as Director of the University Chorale and Motet Choir, Assistant Director of the University’s touring choir, The Singing Hoosiers, and Assistant Conductor and Accompanist for performances of major works by the university’s Oratorio Chorus and its top choral ensemble, the University Singers. He has worked as an opera coach in Indiana and North Carolina, as Guest Chorus Master of the San Diego Opera and the Manhattan School of Music, and he continues as Accompanist of The National Chorale (New York City). From 2004-2007, he served as Assistant Chorus Master of the New York City Opera and in 2007 he succeeded Gary Thor Wedow as Chorus Master of that company.

In addition to substituting as organist at various churches throughout New York and New Jersey, Chuck served for six years as Worship Coordinator and Assistant Director of Music of the First United Methodist Church, Bloomington, Indiana. Having been responsible for most of the music program in such a large church, Chuck appreciates the greater intimacy and personal relationships offered by Brookside Church.
Chuck and his bride, Bridget, live in South Orange, from where they can easily commute to New York and still reach Brookside in good time.