West Jersey Music Academy 
a 501(c)(3) Non-Profit Music School

Wes Allen is Associate Pastor at First Presbyterian Church of Moorestown, where he also leads the contemporary worship team on Sunday mornings. A lifelong music lover, Wes’ tastes stretch from the Broadway classic Annie’s “Bet Your Bottom Dollar” to Mastodon’s heavy-hitting “Blood and Thunder.” Blues, hip-hop, rock, and metal—he finds joy in it all.

 

His own musical journey began in high school after watching The Blues Brothers. That film sparked a love for R&B and the harmonica, quickly leading him to pick up the guitar—a passion he’s carried ever since. In recent years, Wes dove into the world of electric guitar, captivated by its endless tonal possibilities and creative edge.  He has a BA from Temple University in Communications & Theater, and a MDiv from Princeton Theological Seminary, and also trained at The Second City in New York and Chicago.

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Wes draws inspiration from guitarists like Tom Morello, Jimi Hendrix, Jack White, and

“Dimebag” Darrell Abbott. Whether acoustic or electric, his teaching emphasizes creativity,
exploration, and helping students find their own unique voice on the instrument. He is also
deeply interested in the roots of modern contemporary Christian music—tracing its lineage from the slave fields of the American South through the traditions of Gospel, Soul, RnB, and Rock
‘n’ Roll. This broad perspective shapes his teaching, encouraging students to hear the
connections between genres and discover the spiritual and cultural power of music.