BJ Hardesty

BJ is a professional trombonist who performs and teaches throughout the Chicago area. He grew up in Ohio and attended Miami University before moving to Illinois in 2005 to attend Northwestern. BJ began following the Lord as a college freshman after he was prompted to explore Christianity more thoroughly. He put his faith in Christ while reading the Gospel of Matthew in his dorm room.  

BJ and his wife Melanie met as music students in college and were married in 2005. Melanie works as a middle school band director and they live in LaGrange with their two children, Ben (12) and Emma (8). 

The Hardesty's began attending The Orchard in 2005 and have been members since 2009. They began attending the Itasca campus in 2013 where BJ and Melanie lead the Awana program.