Cathy Black is a lifelong Episcopalian and a native Arizonan. She grew up at All Saints’, Phoenix and has been a member at Christ Church of the Ascension since 2020. Cathy also served as the Parish Administrator for All Saints’ for 10 years and then moved to serve in the Office of the Bishop for 18 years. Prior to her church work, Cathy taught special education for 10 years.

Cathy is married to Barry and they have one son, Adam, and three grandchildren. She enjoys reading, crocheting and making jewelry. Cathy sings in the choir here at Christ Church.

 Email Cathy at cathy.black@ccaaz.org.

Tigran Buniatyan received his Bachelors and Masters degrees in Organ and Harpsichord from Oberlin Conservatory of Music and MM in Musicology from Yerevan State Conservatory. 

As a performer on historical keyboard instruments, Tigran has participated in numerous international music festivals and conferences, including concert series and collaborations with Jaap ter Linden, Beth Wenstrom and Jeanne Lamon, Andre Thomas and others. He has been involved in projects with renowned music ensembles including Tafelmusik and Phoenix Chorale. Tigran Buniatyan’s repertoire mostly consists of works of The North German Organ School. Pursuing his interests in this field, Tigran has performed on many historical organs across Northern Europe.

Tigran served as an Academic Dean of the Sayat-Nova State Music School in Yerevan, Armenia. He has also served as Music Director at churches in Ohio and Arizona.

Currently, Tigran is a doctoral student at ASU studying organ with Dr. Kimberly Marshall, and teaches at the East Valley School of Music in Chandler. Upcoming concert projects include collaborations on the organ with the Phoenix Symphony and Arizona Philharmonic.

 Email Tigran at tigran.buniatyan@ccaaz.org.

Jody earned a BA in Communication Arts (with an emphasis in Marketing) from Hillsdale College in Michigan, then moved to Arizona and married her husband, Dave. She worked in retail management and buying for 10 years, then began teaching preschool when their children were young. She came to Christ Church School in 2006 as a preschool teacher and transitioned through a variety of positions in the school office as the school expanded. At the Rector's request, she worked for both the school and church for a few years, then transferred to the church in this role.

Jody has held various community and church volunteer positions involving leadership, teaching/ training, and fundraising. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with friends and family, Bible study, music, and walking with her dogs.

Jody is thrilled to be able to grow spiritually with and serve this amazing Christ Church community! Email Jody at jody.cash@ccaaz.org.

Shana was born and raised in Louisiana and later moved to Los Angeles where she worked in post-production for 10 years. She relocated to Phoenix, where she taught preschool for 15 years, including four years at Christ Church School.  She enjoys spending time with her two children, Jamison and Jade,

Shana is excited to share her love of children, art, and her passion for Christ with the youth and families at Christ Church of the Ascension. Email Shana at shana.halpin@ccaaz.org.