Get ready for a once-in-a-lifetime experience! Voices in the Hall is your golden ticket to perform on the legendary stage of Carnegie Hall. This year’s concert, “The Compassion of Christ: A Journey of Justice, Hope, and Peace,” promises to be an unforgettable experience.
Leading this incredible event is talented Catholic Artistic Director, Stephen Petrunak, who is orchestrating an evening that’s bound to inspire and uplift. But that’s not all—prepare to be wowed by a lineup of phenomenal liturgical artists:
Ever wonder what it takes to be a lifelong musician with a talent that spans genres and generations? Meet Curtis Stephan, a lifelong musician whose journey started in the church.
Curtis’s musical odyssey began as a child, learning the ropes from his church organist. By the time he hit high school, he was already mastering the guitar, piano, and trumpet. He took his passion to the University of North Texas, where he majored in trumpet and earned both a bachelor’s and a master’s in jazz studies. While at UNT, Curtis was not just hitting the books—he was also hitting the road with the Grammy-nominated One O’Clock Lab Band. And let’s not forget the Sammy Nestico Award for Big Band Jazz composition he was awarded along the way.
Curtis’s talents aren’t just about impressive awards and accolades. His compositions have even made it to Mass with the Pope, where they’ve been performed at international youth gatherings with millions in attendance.
Despite all his musical successes, Curtis is most proud of his role at St. Ann Catholic Parish in Coppell, TX. Leading his parish community in worship on Sunday mornings is where his heart truly sings. When he’s not creating beautiful music or leading worship, Curtis is at home in Frisco, TX, with his amazing wife Lindsay and their four kids. Together, they’re a musical family filled with love and harmony.
Janèt Sullivan Whitaker is a legend in the world of sacred music with an extraordinary journey. From the sunny city of Berkeley, California, Janèt has dedicated over 40 years to active parish ministry of the Diocese of Oakland.
Janèt’s liturgical compositions aren’t just songs, they’re soul stirring anthems that have found homes in churches around the world. While she’s served as the Director of Music Ministries for numerous parishes in Oakland, her influence has resonated far beyond those church walls.
In January 2020, Janèt made a bold move, stepping away from full-time parish work to dive into her freelance adventures. Now she’s sharing her musical gifts through concerts, retreats, missions, and workshops. Plus, she spent 15 incredible summers as a musician and catechist for the One Bread and One Cup Summer Youth Liturgical Leadership Conferences.
In 2021, Janèt took center stage as a featured speaker at the Catholic/Jewish Women’s Dialogue in Southern California. And in 2022, she joined the leadership team of the Liturgical Music Institute. Janèt’s talents don’t stop there. She’s also a fan of traditional hula dance, a passionate gardener, and a master chef who whips up delicious meals with flair.
Janèt calls Hayward, California home, where she shares her life with Brian Whitaker, her husband of 40 years, and their two adorable Jack Russell terriers, Kirby and Lucy.
Meet Jesse Manibusan, a musician from the San Francisco Bay Area who’s been strumming, singing, and storytelling his way into hearts for decades. With a rich CHAMoru-American heritage from Guam,
Jesse is one of nine siblings.
Jesse is a self-taught guitar guru and a musical wizard with a knack for songwriting. His journey has seen him performing in all sorts of places—from churches and nursing homes to schools, shelters, and even jails. You name it, Jesse has been there, sharing his music and spreading joy. He spent many of his formative years in the Diocese of Oakland, where much of his music took shape before he took his talents on a global adventure.
With a Masters in Multicultural Ministries from the Franciscan School of Theology under his belt, Jesse has spent the past 40 years as a joyful encourager and musical inspiration to audiences of all ages around the world. He’s a longtime collaborator with Oregon Catholic Press and published by GIA.
When he’s not making music, Jesse is a proud father of three grown kids, a grandpa to seven, and even a great grandpa to one adorable little one. While he jokes that he’s no spring chicken, he’s still spreading his infectious joy everywhere he goes.