Bill and wife Kristin Chouinard, choir accompanist, joined the St. Andrew’s staff in 1988, one year after being married. Bill attended St. John’s University, Collegeville before transferring to the U of M where he and Kristin were in both the wind ensemble and an organ studio class together. He started piano lessons at age six, including some organ study while still in elementary school. After his call to St. Andrew’s, Bill was the driving force in the new Sanctuary organ project that culminated in the installation of the St. Andrew’s historic Casavant/Schantz pipe organ in 2001.

Two of Bill and Kristin’s three adult children are involved at St. Andrew’s: Sarah’s in the St. Andrew’s Orchestra, and Leah is the Youth Ministry Associate and occasionally plays percussion in the orchestra. Bill is also a freelance bassist, appearing in four different bands in and around the Twin Cities. Among Bill’s past bass highlights are backing up Reba McEntire, Donnie Osmond, and Celine Dion, and getting to meet Jimmy Carter while on a college Dixieland band tour of the U.S. Fun fact: Bill used to raise chickens long before it was popular! Outside of music, Bill enjoys quiet evenings, barbecuing, and spending time with family.