About us.
Founded in 2022, the Greenleaf Organ Company possesses the skills, expertise, and background required to successfully undertake both new organ construction and restoration/rebuilding of existing instruments. Together, the founding partners and staff of the Greenleaf Organ Company have more than sixty years' cumulative experience in the North American pipe organ industry, with a depth of expertise that extends to all aspects of the craft. Each of the leadership team has served in leadership roles for dozens of projects with other major North American organ building companies. Our staff of highly skilled organbuilders, in partnership with trusted artisans, oversee every aspect of organ construction, ensuring the highest level of quality and care.
Team
members.
Samantha Koch.
Samantha is an organbuilder of well-rounded experience and expertise, with particular skills in voicing and a keen understanding of the technical design and operation of the pipe organ. Samantha is a graduate of the American Organ Institute at the University of Oklahoma (U.S.A.) where she earned a master’s degree in both organ performance and organ technology. Samantha brings particular expertise to tonal design, flue and reed voicing, woodworking/carving, pipe-making, action assembly/regulation, electrical components, installation, and tonal finishing. Prior to founding the Greenleaf Organ Company, she practiced organ building with Quimby Pipe Organs for four years, where she worked in all departments, and continued her voicing tutelage under head voicer Eric Johnson. This was followed by a tenure at Orgues Létourneau during which she served as Head Voicer.
An active member of the American Institute of Organbuilders, she maintains an acute interest in the advancement of women and younger generations in the organ building profession. She currently serves as the Ethics Committee liaison on the AIO Board of Directors.
T. Daniel Hancock.
Daniel Hancock is an architect, designer, and organbuilder with a keen interest in the story of the American pipe organ. He brings a unique background to Greenleaf, having practiced as an architect for a decade, prior to ten years’ experience in the pipe organ industry, including a tenure at Quimby Pipe Organs, Inc., where his responsibilities included sales, design, administration, and tonal responsibilities, followed by a position as Designer at Orgues Létourneau. Daniel has a keen and wholistic interest in all aspects of organ design and building that extends beyond technical and visual design to playing the instrument, its repertoire, and the overall tonal architecture of the organ.
While possessing an unrelenting interest in the history of the instrument, Daniel is committed to the advancement of the pipe organ in today’s global culture and has frequently served in leadership capacities for the Organ Historical Society, the Associated Pipe Organ Builders of America, and his local chapter of the American Guild of Organists.
Taylor Hendershott.
Taylor’s interest in the pipe organ was piqued when he saw Hans Zimmer’s ‘Davy Jones Plays His Organ’ from The Pirates of The Caribbean. From this point, he was singularly focused on a career as an organbuilder. Taylor earned a B.A. in Organ Performance from Mount Vernon Nazarene University followed by an apprenticeship at the Muller Pipe Organ Company, where he transitioned into organ building full time. At Muller, voicing pipes was Taylor’s primary role. After five years at Muller, Taylor moved back to Ohio and joined the team at Greenleaf.
Here, Taylor has had the opportunity to practice every aspect of the organ building craft, including pipe restoration, chest construction, and general organ building. He currently serves as a member of the Executive Board of the Columbus AGO and is an Associate Member of the American Institute of Organbuilders.
Hannah Loeffler.
Hannah (she/they) is a craftsperson who delights in meticulously executed, yet wholly
expressive works of art and music. They were introduced to the art of organbuilding by Hal
Gober after earning a Bachelor’s degree in Organ Performance at Mercer University under the tutelage of Dr. Jack Mitchener.
Enamored of the craft, Hannah spent the next three years in an informal apprenticeship as the boss’ right hand at Gober Organs, revoicing and mechanically improving instruments from Pennsylvania to Ningbo. A productive tenure as a technician and builder at Lincoln Pipe Organs trained their eye to longevity and serviceability while honing their interests in voicing and design.
Hannah is a member of the American Institute of Organbuilders.
Brandon Harrod.
Brandon Harrod was born and raised in Ohio. His career began in cabinetry mass production, where he developed an interest in woodworking and craftsmanship. He became a member of the Greenleaf team in April 2022, where he works primarily in windchest and building frame production, shallot-making, and installation.
A newcomer to the trade, Brandon anticipates a lasting and fulfilling career in organ building. He looks forward to developing his interest in fine woodworking, and enjoys making furniture in his home shop using traditional woodburning techniques. In his free time, Brandon is a fine cook and loves perfecting new dishes and spending time with his family.
Sustainability.
One Tree Planted is a non-profit (501(c)3) organization focused on global reforestation. Based in Vermont, the team planted over 52 million trees in 2022, in partnership with businesses, schools, and individuals.
As part of an ongoing commitment to sustainability, Greenleaf is always looking for ways to balance the strength and versatility of time-tested materials in organ building with environmentally-conscious practices. For us, this means improved recycling efforts, use of renewable and sustainably sourced materials, and active efforts to approach a net zero environmental impact. One Tree Planted offers the opportunity to match our lumber usage, board foot by board foot, with trees planted in regions selected by us or our clients.
Outreach.
Started in the Netherlands, Orgelkids is a non-profit (501(c)3) organization whose mission is to engage the next generation with the pipe organ. It does this in two innovative ways: by bringing new interest and awareness to members of the public through events and engagement with schools; and by producing kits for individuals and small groups to build a working pipe organ.
Greenleaf’s donations support educational institutions and teachers towards the purchase of Orgelkids Kits. We believe it’s critical that we help to inspire the next generation of organists and organbuilders alike, as well as increase accessibility of the King of Instruments to the public.
Career opportunities.
At Greenleaf Organ Company, we recognize the importance of planning for the continuation of the organbuilding industry. We believe in nurturing talent and passing on knowledge of the artistry and technical intricacies involved in organ building to the next generation. Both aspiring and highly experienced organbuilders find unique career opportunities at Greenleaf, where they can contribute to the creation of exceptional instruments and preserving this rich musical tradition.
Speculative resumes are always welcome.