Ken Cowan, Palmer’s Artist-in-Residence and Organist, is Associate Professor and head of the organ program at the Shepherd School of Music at Rice University. He has also served on the organ faculty of Westminster Choir College of Rider University in Princeton, New Jersey.
Ken has recorded on the Pro Organo, JAV, and Etheral recording labels, and many of his recordings and live performances have been featured on NPR. He received a Master of Music degree and Artist Diploma from the Yale Institute of Sacred Music in New Haven, Connecticut, and his Bachelor of Music degree from the prestigious Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. As a church musician, he has held posts as Artist-in-Residence and Organist at Saint Bartholomew’s Episcopal Church in New York City and as Assistant Organist at St. Clement’s Episcopal Church in Philadelphia.
The Reverend Beth Anne Nelson
Diocesan Missioner to Rice Universityoffice: 713-529-6196 ext 131Beth Anne believes in finding God’s grace through the rhythms and rituals of church life. She began her ministry to Rice University in 2023, where leads worship and supports weekly opportunities for encountering God with students, faculty, and staff. Beth Anne finds joy in walking with students as they mature in faith.
Beth Anne graduated with a B.S. from Michigan State University (2006), a M.Div. from Eden Theological Seminary (2009), and a Diploma in Anglican Studies from Seminary of the Southwest (2021). She grew up in a Congregationalist Church, was ordained in the American Baptist tradition (2009), and found her way to the Episcopal Church through the evangelism of a priest. After moving to Texas, she served as a lay youth minister. Later, she was ordained as a transitional deacon (2021), then a priest (2022). After ordination, she served as a curate at St. Dunstan’s Episcopal Church in Houston.
Beth Anne is married to The Rev. David Nelson, whom she met while they were both doing Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) in the same region. Together, they have two children, Grace and Faith, and their dog, Sugar. When not spending time in ministry, she enjoys running marathons, reading, and spending time with friends.