St. James Staff
Alex Benestelli, Director of Music (x109)
Alex Benestelli is organist/choirmaster and principal musician of the church, responsible for leading a diverse music program of volunteers and professionals as an effective part of St. James’ overall ministry. He also serves as Artistic Director of the St. James Music Series, which highlights the art of choral music in Southern California. Since coming to St. James in 2017, Alex established the Festival Choir and Choral Scholars programs, instituted new traditions such as Christmas Lessons and Carols and Compline-by-Candlelight, and he led the St. James Choir and Orchestra in an acclaimed performance accompanied by the award-winning composer, Morten Lauridsen. He holds degrees, with honors, from Westminster Choir College and the University of Southern California, and among his many experiences, Alex has performed choral works with the New York Philharmonic, The Philadelphia Orchestra, San Francisco Symphony, and The Rolling Stones.. Email Alex.
Alex Benestelli is organist/choirmaster and principal musician of the church, responsible for leading a diverse music program of volunteers and professionals as an effective part of St. James’ overall ministry. He also serves as Artistic Director of the St. James Music Series, which highlights the art of choral music in Southern California. Since coming to St. James in 2017, Alex established the Festival Choir and Choral Scholars programs, instituted new traditions such as Christmas Lessons and Carols and Compline-by-Candlelight, and he led the St. James Choir and Orchestra in an acclaimed performance accompanied by the award-winning composer, Morten Lauridsen. He holds degrees, with honors, from Westminster Choir College and the University of Southern California, and among his many experiences, Alex has performed choral works with the New York Philharmonic, The Philadelphia Orchestra, San Francisco Symphony, and The Rolling Stones.. Email Alex.
Jennifer Bonnes, Accountant (x111)
Jennifer grew up in Whittier, CA, moved to Hawaii for a spell and has now returned to her California roots, landing in San Diego in 2010. A well-versed business background brought her to the Episcopal Church world in 2013, where she started serving St. Dunstan's as their Business Administrator. An 18 year career in accounting and business management includes earning a Bachelor's in Business Administration /Minor in Human Resources, Master's in Business Administration and a Graduate Certificate in Accounting. A mother of three kids aged 18, 6 and 3, Jen enjoys being active in their recreational sports (soccer, golf and dance) and volunteering in their classes. Email Jennifer.
Jennifer grew up in Whittier, CA, moved to Hawaii for a spell and has now returned to her California roots, landing in San Diego in 2010. A well-versed business background brought her to the Episcopal Church world in 2013, where she started serving St. Dunstan's as their Business Administrator. An 18 year career in accounting and business management includes earning a Bachelor's in Business Administration /Minor in Human Resources, Master's in Business Administration and a Graduate Certificate in Accounting. A mother of three kids aged 18, 6 and 3, Jen enjoys being active in their recreational sports (soccer, golf and dance) and volunteering in their classes. Email Jennifer.
Walter DuMelle, Director of Administration (x103)
Originally having come to St. James in 1995 as a section leader in the choir, Walter DuMelle joined the staff full time in 2010 as the Assistant to the Rector, and in 2017 took on the role as Director of Administration. He has a diverse background in the performing arts, arts management and office management, as well as the pleasure of having lived in Denmark for a year. He has a Bachelors degree in Music, and a Masters of Music from Eastman School of Music. Email Walter.
Originally having come to St. James in 1995 as a section leader in the choir, Walter DuMelle joined the staff full time in 2010 as the Assistant to the Rector, and in 2017 took on the role as Director of Administration. He has a diverse background in the performing arts, arts management and office management, as well as the pleasure of having lived in Denmark for a year. He has a Bachelors degree in Music, and a Masters of Music from Eastman School of Music. Email Walter.
Leighton Jones, Assistant Director of Children’s Ministries
Leighton is a mom of two and a lifelong Episcopalian from the South. She is a graduate of the University of Alabama with a Bachelors in Nursing and later a Masters in Nursing Leadership. Leighton has spent over 10 years specializing in the field of oncology nursing and several years as a nurse manager. She comes to St. James after living abroad in Germany and exploring Europe with her husband and children. Leighton is passionate about Christian Education and has been teaching Sunday school and leading Bible studies from a young age. In her free time she enjoys traveling, baking, any type of arts & crafts, and picnicking.
Email Leighton
Leighton is a mom of two and a lifelong Episcopalian from the South. She is a graduate of the University of Alabama with a Bachelors in Nursing and later a Masters in Nursing Leadership. Leighton has spent over 10 years specializing in the field of oncology nursing and several years as a nurse manager. She comes to St. James after living abroad in Germany and exploring Europe with her husband and children. Leighton is passionate about Christian Education and has been teaching Sunday school and leading Bible studies from a young age. In her free time she enjoys traveling, baking, any type of arts & crafts, and picnicking.
Email Leighton
Jontae McNeil, Event Support and Custodian
Gabrielle Strickler, Director for Children’s Ministries (x108)
Gabby comes to us with 21 years of high-end retail experience and a diverse background in Theater arts, clothing design, and fashion/art history. As a wife and mother of 3 children, the development of Children’s Ministries is of deep and great importance to her personally. Feeling a call to serve, Gabby started teaching Sunday School in 2013 and has learned much about herself and her faith in the process. As Director of Children’s Ministries, she hopes to build on new and existing relationships here at St. James and looks forward to seeing her ministry grow and thrive. Email Gabrielle.
Gabby comes to us with 21 years of high-end retail experience and a diverse background in Theater arts, clothing design, and fashion/art history. As a wife and mother of 3 children, the development of Children’s Ministries is of deep and great importance to her personally. Feeling a call to serve, Gabby started teaching Sunday School in 2013 and has learned much about herself and her faith in the process. As Director of Children’s Ministries, she hopes to build on new and existing relationships here at St. James and looks forward to seeing her ministry grow and thrive. Email Gabrielle.
Donna Turner, Communications Team Member
Donna comes to us with a rich background in the performing arts, media production and business entrepreneurship. She is seasoned in communications on stage and screen as well as through social media for business development and promotions. Her personal business is in the health and wellness industry. We sub-contract Donna from the non-profit organization Horizon Gate Productions which she co-founded with her husband, Mark, in 1981. Her St. James tasks are producing the weekly e-mail, posting regularly on Facebook and proofreading.
Email Donna.
Donna comes to us with a rich background in the performing arts, media production and business entrepreneurship. She is seasoned in communications on stage and screen as well as through social media for business development and promotions. Her personal business is in the health and wellness industry. We sub-contract Donna from the non-profit organization Horizon Gate Productions which she co-founded with her husband, Mark, in 1981. Her St. James tasks are producing the weekly e-mail, posting regularly on Facebook and proofreading.
Email Donna.
Mark Turner, Communications Team Member
Mark combined writing, visual arts and media for his BA from San Diego State University. This, mixed with his lifelong career in music and performance, has employed him in five major regions of the globe, both touring and producing. He has self-published 12 books including fiction, poetry, and non-fiction, as well as many stage plays from one-acts to full length. He produces a new short art film of original visuals and soundtracks approximately once per year and posts monthly on his blog. Mark, with his wife, Donna, co-founded Horizon Gate Productions from which we sub-contract him. His St. James tasks are producing the monthly magazine The Chimes, and managing our website. Email Mark.
Mark combined writing, visual arts and media for his BA from San Diego State University. This, mixed with his lifelong career in music and performance, has employed him in five major regions of the globe, both touring and producing. He has self-published 12 books including fiction, poetry, and non-fiction, as well as many stage plays from one-acts to full length. He produces a new short art film of original visuals and soundtracks approximately once per year and posts monthly on his blog. Mark, with his wife, Donna, co-founded Horizon Gate Productions from which we sub-contract him. His St. James tasks are producing the monthly magazine The Chimes, and managing our website. Email Mark.