Pianist John Sheppard will perform “Rhythm by the River,” the season finale concert of Bethany United Methodist Church, at 4 p.m. Sunday at the church on Hayes Road, Gloucester Point. The concert is free and open to the public.
A New Jersey native, Sheppard studied piano with Charlotte Janelli and Godfrey Schroth and as a teenager was pianist for the Unitarian Church in Trenton. He graduated from the College of William and Mary in 1966 and taught high school English for a number of years before moving to Richmond and studying organ with Fenner Douglas of Duke University and others.
Sheppard served as organist at St. John’s Episcopal Church in Tappahannock and at Redeemer Moravian Church in Richmond, and for 18 years, he was organist at St. James Episcopal Church in Montross and St. Peter’s Episcopal Church in Oak Grove. He has performed organ and piano recitals in various regional venues.
In addition to his musical career, Sheppard was sous chef at the Bistro Re...