Quentard DeGeneste, II, generally called “Quinn,” is now Music Director at the Watchung Presbyterian Church (WAPC) in North Plainfield, and it has not been the same since he arrived! Quinn’s extensive background in all musical venues, combined with his incredible composition talents, have created a new musical atmosphere. Truthfully, the old is now new again!
Quinn graduated in May 2015 from Eastern University with a Bachelor of Arts in Music Composition. While there he earned the prestigious Mozart scholarship for four consecutive years. Quinn was a member of the University Choir and Eastern’s elite vocal touring ensemble, Turning Point.
Prior to Eastern University, Quinn studied piano at the Soumas Heritage School of Music, and sang in the Heritage Show Choir; three time winners of McDonald’s Gospel Fest! He was part of the H.E.R.I.T.A.G.E. Pay-It-Forward mentoring program, and was the 2008 inaugural Branch Award recipient. Quinn also attended the Westminster Choir College of the Arts Piano Camp and attended master classes by the acclaimed faculty.
Quinn began playing piano and singing in church settings in middle school. He was an apprentice musician at Bethel Presbyterian in Plainfield, NJ. Later, Quinn sang with the Crescent Avenue Presbyterian Church Chancel Choir. Quinn has been a guest musician at many churches; among them Baptist, Methodist, Pentecostal, and Catholic congregations. Most recently he served as at Siloam Hope Presbyterian Church in Elizabeth, NJ.
Quinn has been a featured artist at a myriad of community events, among them LINKS, Inc. Mélange, Alpha Kappa Alpha’s African-American Heritage Celebration, and the NAACP Celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Quinn is currently composing music for various genres.
Quinn’s classical training and penchant for jazz converge in a style that is uniquely his own. His goal is “to use his musical abilities to the glory of God and the enjoyment of his listening audience.” We at WAPC are very happy that he has chosen to do this for our congregation!
(above) Quentard DeGeneste, II
