Meet the Musicians

Scott Tinsley

Minister of Music - Contemporary

Scott Tinsley has been playing professionally since 1979 and has taught private lessons in guitar, violin, piano and bass guitar for 25 years. Scott is married to Laneya and together they have 6 wonderful children, Bill (22), Britni (18), Kelsey (18), Kagen (15), Cameron (13) and Ryan (11). Scott answered God’s call to serve in music ministry in 2000. He has served through playing rhythm, lead and acoustic guitars in the Praise Band of Ponte Vedra UMC for over four years.

Scott leads the Praise Band and Praise Choir and plays guitar; he is instrumental in helping to shape worship at our 9:00 contemporary service.

Diane Wright

Minister of Music - Traditional

diane.wright@pv-umc.org

Diane Wright brings a variety of musical gifts to our church. Diane has 15 years of experience directing choirs and is in her third season singing with the Jacksonville Symphony Chorus. She received the degree of Bachelor of Music from Cornell College of Mt. Vernon, Iowa. Diane earned her MBA at UNF and works as member service center manager at the Mayport branch of Navy Federal Credit Union. She also serves as co-chair of the Beaches Relay for Life, a fund-raiser for the American Cancer Society. Diane and her husband Tom of 35 years have two adult children, Jennifer and Christopher, and granddaughter Lauren (5). Diane and Tom joined Ponte Vedra United Methodist Church in 2004.

Diane directs our Traditional Choir, leads congregational hymn singing, and helps to shape worship at our 11:15 traditional service.

Danny Booth

Keyboard

We welcomed Danny Booth as our keyboard player in August, 2006. Some 20 years ago Danny worked in a band with our own Scott Tinsley and in another band with our drummer, Mike Maple. A Jacksonville resident his entire life, Danny has worked for Englewood Electric as inside sales manager for over 20 years. He enjoys shooting pool and reading science fiction. In addition to playing keyboard, Danny is a percussionist and, in his words, plays just enough bass and guitar to be dangerous.

Mike Maple

Drums

Jacksonville native Mike Maple has been married to wife Lin for 25 years. They have two sons, Marcus (16) and Matthew (22). Mike began using his gifts to serve the Lord in 1984 when he and other local musicians formed the Christian band Vision.

From 1988 - 1994 he toured the world with Christian recording artist Mark Farner, formerly of Grand Funk Railroad. In 1996 Mike joined Morning Star Ministries and continues to serve through music in mission work around the world. Mike has served as drummer on the Music Team of PVUMC for over four years. Mike gives God the glory for the many ways he has been used to spread God’s message of salvation and is grateful for the faithful support of wife Lin.

Jimmy Samaras

Bass Guitar

While first and foremost a guitar player, Jimmy has been graciously serving as the bass player in the Praise Band since the summer of 2005.

Sheila Epperson

Vocalist

Sheila Epperson joined our praise band as a vocalist in the spring of 2006. Sheila's favorite styles of music include soul, rhythm & blues, rock 'n roll and country. She works in the office of Mandarin Holiday Marina and every other weekend leads a roller skate group of 10 - 15 teenage girls. Sheila is proud to be the mother of Jessica, a straight "A" student.

Suzanne Joyner

Vocalist

Suzanne Joyner has been singing in church choirs since she was a little girl. She learned to sing harmony from her mother Mary Alice Sanders, and enjoys singing alto in PVUMC's GodSong. In college Suzanne sang with the Millsaps Singers and the show choir Millsaps Troubadours. She has also sung in the Knoxville Symphony Orchestra Chorus. Suzanne is a Realtor at Prudential Network Reality and thanks God for her wonderful huband John, precious son CJ, and her supportive family.