Mike Mekailek has been Hope’s music director since 2013. He served several churches in northern Delaware prior to his appointment at Hope. Previous to his tenure in Delaware, he served various churches in Northeastern and Central Pennsylvania. An alumnus of Lebanon Valley College, he studied organ with Shelley Moorman-Stahlman. During his time at the University of Delaware he studied organ under David Herman and choral conducting with Paul D. Head, and was a member of the UD Chorale, the university’s premiere choral ensemble. While he was in the chorale, the ensemble competed in two international choral competitions: The International Choral Contest of Tolosa, Spain, in 2010 and the Béla Bartók International Choir Competition and Folklore Festival, held in Debrecen, Hungary, in 2012. In addition to serving as music minister to various churches in the area, Mr. Mekailek has also performed with the Dickinson Theatre Organ Society on their Christmas concerts. 

As an operatic baritone, Mr. Mekailek performs throughout the region. He frequently performs with the Wilmington Concert Opera, as a soloist for gala performances as well as roles (including accompanist!) in their opera concerts.