Rev. Elizabeth Robinson

SENIOR PASTOR

Elizabeth studied literature and psychology at Bard College in New York, and then earned an MFA in creative writing at Brown University. She earned her Master of Divinity and Master of Arts in bioethics at the Pacific School of Religion. Along her vocational path, Elizabeth has worked with autistic people, been a part of an intentional community in Los Angeles devoted to racial reconciliation, and taught at several universities. For the six years prior to her arrival at Orinda Community Church, she worked full time with people experiencing homelessness in Boulder, Colorado. She also served as Minister in the Community and Poet in Residence at Community United Church of Christ in Boulder.

The great joys of her life are her sons, her husband, Randy Prunty, writing poetry, and— most centrally! —working in community to share God’s loving kindness. Elizabeth enjoys exploring her faith through contemplative practices, through the arts, through conversation and prayer, and through outreach into the community.

Reach Elizabeth at elizabeth.orindachurch@gmail.com

NIK NACKLEY

MUSIC DIRECTOR

Music director, Nikolas Nackley, has served on the faculty of San Francisco State University since 2014 and UC Berkeley since 2016 as director of vocal studies.  He has directed large and small ensembles at both universities, conducting the UC Berkeley University Chorus and the SFSU Chamber singers, as well as serving as stage and musical director for the SFSU Opera Workshop.   He has been the baritone soloist and substitute music director at Orinda Community Church since 2011 and has served as music director since 2024.  

In demand for his work as a vocal soloist on both the concert and operatic stage in California, the East Coast, and abroad, Mr. Nackley has been heralded by the San Francisco Chronicle as “sonorous and heroic” and praised by the Boston Globe for his ability to “continually impress with his beautiful voice and acting.” 2025 marks his debut with the San Francisco Opera and he will perform the roles of Custom House Officer in "La Bohème", and Solo Inmate in "Dead Man Walking".

Featured in the title role of West Edge Opera’s critically acclaimed “Il ritorno d’Ulisse in patria”, Nikolas returned to West Edge in 2019 to sing the role of Captain Bouchardon in the West Coast premiere Matt Mark’s opera, “Mata Hari”.   Credits include the role of Joe Pitt in the West Coast premiere of Peter Eötvös’s opera, “Angels in America”, with the Los Angeles Philharmonic, Adonis in Blow’s “Venus and Adonis” with Marin Baroque, Bach’s “St John Passion” and Mozart “Requiem” with the SF Bach Choir, Santa Clara Chorale, and Bay Choral Guild,  Figaro in Paisiello’s “Barber of Seville” with WEO’s Opera Medium Rare, the West Coast premiere of Kaija Saariaho’s “The Tempest Songbook” with the Eco Ensemble and Cal Performances, numerous appearances with the Cantata Collective, and a series of recitals in New Castle, England.  This spring he made his debut with the Arizona Music Fest performing the bass solos in Mozart's "Requiem".  

He has worked as a featured soloist under such conductors as Gustavo Dudamel, Sir Roger Norrington, Joana Carneiro, Esa-Pekka Salonen, Bruno Weil, Craig Smith, Harry Christophers, John Harbison, and Pablo Heras Casado.     

Other recent engagements include the world premiere of Stacy Garrop’s “Terra Nostra” with the SF Choral Society as well as Bach’s “Christmas Oratorio”, Haydn’s “Lord Nelson Mass”  with the Bay Choral Guild, the role of Pallante in Handel’s “Agrippina” and the Badger/Parson in Janacek’s “The Cunning Little Vixen”  with West Edge Opera,  the West Coast premiere of Jocelyn Hagen’s “Ashes of Roses” with the Santa Clara Chorale and Symphony Silicon Valley,  Brahms and Mozart Requiems with Sonoma Bach and the SF Bach Choir, the Duruflé “Requiem” with the Southern Oregon Repertory Singers, as well as recording the Duruflé "Requiem" with the St. Lawrence and Omer quartets, available on Apple Music.

Mr. Nackley received his undergraduate and graduate degrees from the esteemed New Conservatory of Music in Boston.  Highly sought after as master vocal teacher, choral conductor and clinician, and stage director, Nikolas is a regular finals guest adjudicator for the National Association for Teachers of Singing competitions and Schmidt Vocal Arts college and high school competitions.

Contact Nik at office@orindachurch.org

DAVID MILNES

Emeritus MUSIC DIRECTOR

David Milnes joined OCC as Organist/Choir Director in 1998. He also serves as music director of the UC Berkeley Symphony Orchestra and conductor of the Berkeley Contemporary Chamber Players. 

Following early musical studies on the clarinet, piano, organ, cello and voice, he earned degrees from SUNY Stony Brook and Yale University. His conducting teachers have included Leonard Bernstein, Erich Leinsdorf, Max Rudolf, Herbert Blomstedt and Otto-Werner Mueller.

David has recently conducted the Oregon, Columbus, Anchorage and Cheyenne Symphonies, and has performed at the Tanglewood, Aspen, Monadnock and Killington Music Festivals. He has guest conducted and lectured at the Juilliard, Curtis and Mannes Schools as well as at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music. He has also had a lifelong interest in jazz which has led to appearances with Gene Krupa, Chuck Mangione, Billy Taylor and John Pizzarelli.

David can be reached at office@orindachurch.org