Deke Polifka

Deke’s duties include directing choirs for children and adults, serving as principal organist, and overseeing all aspects of the parish’s music. Deke also accompanies the University Singers and Chamber Choir at UVA, and has enjoyed recent collaborations with The Oratorio Society of Virginia and The Virginia Consort. Previously, Deke served for eleven years as Organist and Choirmaster at Grace and St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church in Colorado Springs, and was Assistant Conductor and accompanist for The Colorado Vocal Arts Ensemble. An active performer, he has presented organ recitals in venues such as the National Cathedral in Washington, D.C., and has appeared with orchestra for performances of Barber’s Toccata Festiva, the Poulenc Concerto and organ symphonies by Widor and Guilmant.

Deke holds degrees in piano performance from The Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C., and earned an Artist Diploma in Organ Performance from The University of Denver. In 2013, he spent a summer sabbatical in France, playing many of the significant instruments in and around Paris and studying French organ repertoire with Marie-Louise Langlais. Deke is an Associate of the American Guild of Organists (AAGO) and has served in various leadership positions for that organization. He and his wife Joyce have three children and very much like spending time outdoors, cooking, and making music together.