Reverend Lora Young
MINISTER
(she/her)
Rev. Lora Young has served South Valley since 2020. Prior to answering the call to the UU ministry, Rev. Lora worked in the non-profit sector in leadership roles from program development to fundraising and management. She earned her Masters of Divinity from the Iliff School of Theology in June 2017 and was ordained the following June. She worked as a chaplain in hospice and hospital settings before coming to South Valley.
Her approach to ministry is collaborative, compassionate, and grounded in evidence-based approaches to learning and human development. She hails from a traditional protestant background and still maintains a theistic orientation but has incorporated a warm-hearted humanism, Celtic Christianity, and a bit of mysticism into her outlook over the years. Meditation, yoga, and a voracious love of fiction ground her as she seeks to co-create beloved community with others here in the Salt Lake Valley.
Riley Theo Trepanier
DIRECTOR, RELIGIOUS EDUCATION (he/him)
Riley is a lover of all kinds of art, nature, and animals. He has a BA in Theatre Arts Studies from BYU, and various theatrical endeavors continue to liven up his life.
He has a diverse work background, including as an Americorps member serving our unhoused neighbors, and two units at St Marks Hospital as a chaplain intern.
Riley’s love for working with kids and teens started as a summer camp counselor and continued into working in special education. He loves utilizing the power of story to learn new things about our self-identity and our ability to connect.
Reverend John Cooper
AFFILIATED MINISTER
(he/him)
John works as a Board-Certified Chaplain at the Huntsman Cancer Institute in Salt Lake City, providing spiritual care to patients, families, and staff.
Areas of interest include the use of research to demonstrate the role of spiritual care, life stories as sacred texts, and end-of-life needs. John is also a member of our choir, The South Valley Singers.
Ricklen Nobis
PRINCIPAL PIANIST
(is/am)
In addition to his symphonic work, Rick played a pivotal role in shaping the future of film music. As a key figure in the creation of the Film Composer’s Lab at the Sundance Institute, he mentored and inspired countless composers, helping them hone their craft and bring their musical visions to life on the big screen.
His dedication to the arts is further demonstrated by his long-standing association with Utah’s Repertory Dance Theater, where he has contributed his musical talents for over thirty years.
Lauren Tian
MUSIC DIRECTOR
(she/her)
Lauren’s diverse career includes solo and collaborative piano performances, as well as choral and orchestral conducting. She is a member of Duo Sarteano, a piano duo dedicated to French, Spanish, and South American repertoire. Her performances span multiple continents, and she was a member of the Grammy-winning University Musical Society Choral Union.
Brenda Julander
OFFICE ADMINISTRATOR
(she/her)
Brenda is a professional administrator, marketer, and event planner. She is also a traveler and life-long learner who enjoys a good esoteric dive into the intersections of spirituality and psychology.
Brenda loves to study comparative religion and find the threads that connect us all. She is also an avid reader who lists Joseph Campbell, Margaret Atwood, and Neil Gaiman among her favorite authors.
