Ariel joined Wilshire as minister of music in February 2024. He previously served six years as associate minister of music at First-Plymouth Congregational Church, a 5,000-member United Church of Christ congregation in Lincoln, Nebraska.

Born in Boston and raised in Atlanta, Ariel graduated in 2007 from Southern Polytechnic State University (now Kennesaw State University) in Marietta, Georgia, with a Bachelor of Architecture degree. After working several years for an architecture firm in Atlanta, he earned a Master of Music in choral conducting and organ performance from Georgia State University in 2013.

From 2012 to 2017, Ariel served in various ministerial positions at Atlanta First United Methodist Church, including director of music, worship and administration from 2014 to 2017 and director of music and worship from 2012 to 2014. He has conducted, instructed and accompanied high school and collegiate choirs in Nebraska and Georgia and has sung and performed as a soloist in a variety of groups, including the Lincoln Symphony Orchestra, Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, Atlanta’s Chorale – New Creation, Sounding Light and Exigence, as well as at national conventions, concert series and festivals.

Ariel believes “music has the power to elevate our worship and connect us to each other and the divine.” This fuels his commitment to serving and ministering to all members of the congregation.

Ariel enjoys design, photography and gardening. He also is a cyclist and an accomplished weightlifter, having won multiple competitions in USA Powerlifting since 2016.