Destin Wernicke grew up near Green Bay, Wisconsin, where he started playing piano and drums at an early age. He continued studying both instruments through high school and then decided to pursue music at the University of North Texas. During his Jazz Percussion bachelor’s degree, Destin was the drummer for the Grammy-nominated One O’Clock Lab Band and had the opportunity to work with accomplished artists such as Maria Schneider, Gary Smulyan, and Regina Carter. He also competed with the One O’Clock at the Jack Rudin Jazz Championship and recorded the recently released album Lab 2020. Destin is now continuing his studies at UNT by working on a Graduate Artist Certificate in Organ Performance, studying with Dr. Jesse Eschbach.
Destin has served as the organist for St. Barnabas Episcopal Church in Denton for the past three years, leading congregational singing with a small but dedicated choir. In March 2020, he won first prize in the undergraduate division of the William C. Hall Pipe Organ Competition in San Antonio, earning a cash prize and the opportunity to play a recital at St. Mark the Evangelist Catholic Church. Recently, The Diapason (a well-known organ magazine) recognized Destin's achievements by adding him to a list of "20 organists under 30" along with other young musicians who are making a name for themselves in the church music world. In August, Destin will take on an Organ Scholar position at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church in Dallas, furthering his studies in church music and gaining experience working with choirs.