2026 YTOC Finalists

Marco Ramirez

Marco is a student at Arizona State University and the Maricopa community colleges. He is currently pursuing a Music Learning and Teaching degree in the hopes of becoming a band Director at the middle school level. He is a private piano instructor at East Valley Yamaha school of music in Chandler, Arizona with a studio of 28 students. Student of both Dr. Kimberly Marshall, and Dr. Chuck Sedgwick, Marco actively studies classical and liturgical organ playing.

Marco was a student of Lew Williams in 2017 and has been picking up theater organ stylings from the records of Lynn Larson. Marco is also currently the organist for Epiphany Lutheran in Church in Chandler Arizona. Growing up, Marco has always going to a Organ Sol Pizza every Friday night and was inspired by Lew Williams, Charlie Balogh, Glenn Tallar, Brett Valliant, as well as the other musicians. Marco owns and Allen R311, a spinet piano, and three reed organs, one of which is portable and often played on the streets of Gilbert. Marco also plays the bassoon during the day bands, and is an instructor at Chandler high school with the marching percussion. His ultimate goal is to become an Organ professor and teach all types of organ repertoire. Marco has attended the Seattle summer youth adventure in 2023 and always drives to learn more. While not practicing, Marco enjoys woodworking, cooking, and reading

Jack Morton

Jack's passion for the theatre organ started at the age of 10 after seeing YouTube videos of Robert Wolfe at the Thursford Collection. In the summer of 2019, his parents took him to visit the collection to hear a theatre organ for the first time. In 2021, he visited the Astoria Centre in Barnsley where he was able to finally play a theatre organ for the first time.

Jack had classical organ lessons from 2021 to learn the basic playing techniques of the organ, but taught himself theatre organ stylings on the side. In 2024, Jack and his organ teacher came to a mutual agreement to part ways after Jack's playing style shifted closer towards the theatre organ. He has now been teaching himself theatre organ techniques, along with guidance from several other organists.

His biggest influence in the theatre organ world is Simon Gledhill, a true master of harmony. Jack has been lucky to hear Simon many times in concert , and has received some guidance from him. He is also influenced by organists Lyn Larsen, Jelani Eddington, and many others.

In 2025, Jack took part in the UK Young Theatre Organist of the Year competition and was announced as the runner up. He was also awarded the inaugural Len Rawle Memorial Trophy for his involvement in the theatre organ outside of playing.

Outside of playing, Jack enjoys working on theatre organs. He is currently aiding the COS with the renovation of the Wurlitzer console from the Troxy Theatre in Stepney, as well as the complete restoration of the Ex-Ritz Nuneaton Compton in St John Vianney RC Church in Clayhall.

Finalists will perform at the 2026 ATOS Convention on Tuesday, July 7, at the Eisenhart Auditorium.
read more about that organ here:
https://atos2026.org/eisenhardt-wurlitzer