Meet Lucas

Organist, Composer, and Liturgical Artist

Based in the New York Tri-State area, Lucas Havriliak is an organist and composer whose work is defined by a deep reverence for the "King of Instruments" and a commitment to the continuity of sacred tradition. Currently, he serves as the Assistant Music Director at St. Catharine of Alexandria Roman Catholic Parish in Blauvelt, NY, and as Associate Organist at the Montclair Wedding Sanctuary at the First Congregational Church in Montclair, NJ.

Lucas’s career is distinguished by a rare ecumenical breadth. Having held leadership and performance roles within Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, Methodist, Presbyterian, Episcopal, and Congregational traditions, he possesses a profound understanding of the "liturgical grammar" unique to each denomination. This versatility allows him to curate musical experiences that are not only artistically excellent but also deeply resonant with the specific theological heritage of the community he serves.

At the center of Lucas’s artistic life is the phrase Beatae Memoriae—of blessed memory. For Lucas, this is more than a historical reference; it is the spiritual engine of his work.

"In the sanctuary, we are surrounded by the 'blessed memory' of salvation, a sonic echo of Christ's love," Lucas explains. "As an organist, my goal is to translate that eternal reality into a tangible, resonant experience."

This philosophy informs his dual mission: first, to stop and contemplate the "beautiful memory" of divine grace, and second, to ensure that every voluntary, hymn, and choral work leaves a lasting, blessed memory within the hearts of the congregation. To Lucas, a church service is a temporal event that, through music, becomes an eternal memory.

As a composer, Lucas creates "living tradition." His style is unapologetically traditional, drawing upon the structural integrity of the masters, yet his works are infused with a melodic clarity that makes them accessible to modern audiences. He believes that sacred music should not be a museum piece, but a bridge, connecting the grandeur of the past to the spiritual needs of the present. His catalog offers organists and directors literature that is both technically satisfying and congregationally engaging.

While Lucas operates at the highest levels of liturgical performance, he remains a staunch advocate for musical accessibility. He operates under a simple but profound conviction: "Music is for everyone. Not just the select few who call themselves musicians."

This belief permeates his teaching and his writing. Whether he is composing a responsorial psalm or teaching a choir the art of Gregorian chant, Lucas aims to strip away the "academic armor" that often surrounds sacred music. His goal is to ensure that the beauty of the organ, and the spiritual depth of the liturgy, is a shared experience, accessible to the curious listener and the seasoned professional alike.

Lucas brings a unique analytical perspective to the organ loft, holding a degree in Information Technology with a specialization in Cybersecurity from the New Jersey Institute of Technology. He views the pipe organ as the original complex system. It’s a massive, intricate machine that requires both mathematical precision and artistic soul to operate. This background in cybersecurity informs his disciplined approach to performance practice and his fascination with the architectural logic of complex counterpoint.

"The architectural precision Lucas brings to the organ loft was cultivated through a formative, decade-long apprenticeship under his private teacher. In her studio, Lucas was immersed in the rigorous study of performance, theory, and composition. More importantly, she served as his primary mentor in the 'quiet arts' of patience and discipline. These are virtues that have shaped his life both on and off the bench. Her teaching ensured that while Lucas studied the mechanics of music, he never lost sight of its soul."

Beyond the console, Lucas is a dedicated explorer of the "quiet arts." He is frequently found in the hushed aisles of historic libraries, studying the intersection of history and liturgy, or finding inspiration in the organic symmetry of the natural world. A lover of botany and floriculture, Lucas finds a meditative parallel between the patience required to cultivate plants and flowers and the discipline needed to master a complex fugue. An enthusiast of the outdoors, he enjoys the crisp precision of winter sports and finds balance through the vibrant flavors and communal traditions of Mediterranean cuisine.