Tory Kirgiss ( pronounced `ker – jis ) is a Midwestern transplant who was born in Chicago, Illinois, raised in Minnesota, and moved from Indiana to San Diego in 2014. His earliest childhood memories involve music, either from watching his parents performing on their instruments, or listening to their U2 and Eagles records. 

Tory tended to get his hands on any instrument that was within his reach, usually without asking first. Although he deeply regrets quitting piano lessons early on, he filled his time learning guitar and playing percussion in school orchestra bands. In 2009 he graduated from the Atlanta Institute of Music & Media College (AIMM) in Duluth, GA, with a Performance Certification degree in drumming.

Tory began serving at EFCC in 2015 and was brought on to the staff in 2017. His drive to develop musical proficiency for EFCC’s worship services culminates from his desire to give his best to the Lord, who gave His best gift to us: life through Jesus. Outside of EFCC, Tory enjoys collaborating on music projects with friends, trail running with his wife Katie, backpacking in the mountains, and attempting to surf.