Linda Sweetman Waters’ keyboard talents have provided her with a multi-faceted career as a piano soloist, chamber musician, accompanist and organist. She has performed in New York City at Carnegie Hall, Saint Patrick’s Cathedral, Weill Recital Hall, Lincoln Center’s Bruno Walter Auditorium, Merkin Hall and WQXR’s “Listening Room.”  

Linda has also performed as guest soloist with the North Jersey Philharmonic and the Williamsburg Symphonia in Williamsburg, Virginia. She has been guest artist with the Ridgewood Symphony and premiered the Concerto for Piano and Orchestra which was composed for her by Richard Lane. She was guest soloist with the Tianjin Symphony Orchestra in China and performed at the White House and the National Gallery of Art in DC.  She performed in Vienna at The International Haydn Festival,in the famed  Musikverein and in Beijing at the Forbidden City Concert Hall and in Shanghai at the Oriental Arts Center in celebration of the XXIX Olympiad. Linda is an alumna of Die Akadamie  Musik und darstellende Kunst in Vienna, Austria and a graduate of Fairleigh Dickinson University. In addition to her music studio, she has served as an adjunct faculty member at William Paterson University.

She is presently the pianist\organist for both the New Jersey Choral Society and the Connecticut Chorale Society. For a number of years, Linda served as Organist at Emmanuel Baptist Church in Ridgewood. Regarding her new position at First Pres, she says, “I am excited about joining the staff at First Presbyterian. I have been an organist for many years and committed to the church. A few years ago, I felt the necessity to take a break and worship with my husband, Don, as I pursued my career.  The presence of God in our lives is of upmost importance to us, as is a consistency in our worship.

That time together was important.  However, when the opening became available at First Pres, Ed called me to sub and I was available. As I arrived each Sunday, I felt more and more that God was calling me to get back on the bench at First Pres. Also, First Presbyterian has a wonderful organ and piano to enhance worship. Finally, I worked with Ed and Carol for 10 years at Emmanuel, and it feels good to come full circle and work with them again! Looking forward to the year ahead.”