Spotlight on our Speakers

Our contracted Minister, Rev. Diane Diachishin graduated and was ordained by All Faiths Seminary in NYC in 2022. She taught music for 30+ years in private and public-school systems. She has been an active member of the UUCRT for 25 years, wearing many hats. Diane has been Chair of Pastoral Care, served as VP and Secretary to the Board, and Chair of Sunday Service Ministry.

She facilitated the study and practice of Compassionate Communication for several years and currently facilitates the monthly Soul Matters group. Diane considers herself a life-long Unitarian. From the age of four, summer vacations were spent with her family and her Star Island community, at an ongoing retreat for UU’s of all ages, which still continues to be a source of renewal and inspiration for her. Diane is passionate about her family, playing music, hiking, and travel.

Bill Domanico is a past President and Vice President of the Board of Trustees. He has been a member of our congregation since 2008. He assisted in our food program and is on the Sunday Services Ministry. 

Kelly’s World is an ensemble led by Kelly Armor (flutes, vocals, percussion) with Liz Sesler Beckman (keyboard, vocals), and Victoria Angelo (vocals, percussion). They play reimagined jazz standards, original songs, and innovative arrangements of folk songs from South Sudan, Uganda, Kenya, and Tanzania.

Kelly Armor is a freelance folklorist, musician, and storyteller. She currently serves as the Folklorist-in-Residence at Erie Arts & Culture where she identifies folk artists, helps them continue their traditions, and expands community awareness of folk art. She regularly collaborates with Dafmark Dance as a composer and musician. From 1993 – 2003 Kelly performed as half the folk music duo Armor & Sturtevant. They toured widely in the Great Lakes region performing at festivals, concert venues, community events, churches, and schools.

Liz Sesler-Beckman is a brilliant pianist with an extensive background as a performer, music director, and educator. She has performed internationally in Japan, Europe, and the United States, collaborating with renowned musicians such as Tonight Show drummer Ed Shaughnessy, legendary bassist Milt Hinton, saxophonist Don Menza, drummer Alan Dawson, and bassist John Lockwood.

She has been a member of the Stan Kenton Alumni Band and the Baltimore-based Jazz Caravan. She recently returned to her hometown of Erie after 35 years of living in Baltimore.

Victoria Angelo was raised in Uganda and South Sudan and comes from the Musoga and Acholi ethnic groups. Because of civil war she fled Africa with her family and settled in Erie in 2003. She has been recognized by the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts as a master dancer and tradition bearer. She has done many programs and performance on African culture, traditional song, dance, and storytelling at schools, childcares, community festivals and for educators. She has also performed at Acholi celebrations in Erie, Pittsburgh, and Washington DC. For further information contact: Kelly.B.Armor@gmail.com (814) 602-0619

Rev. T. J. Fitzgerald serves as the. Minister of Community Care and Community Engagement at 1st UU Dallas.  He grew up in Plano, TX. He holds a degree in theater from SUNY Stony Brook and a law degree from SUNY Buffalo School of Law. He practiced intellectual property law in New York City before answering the call to ministry. He received his Master of Divinity from Yale Divinity School and served at The Riverside Church in the City of New York and First Unitarian Church of Portland and five years in Honolulu prior to going to Dallas.