Press

Selected Press Coverage, Features, and Media Mentions.

Access Press Kit
Jake Stensberg Named an OUTstanding Voice
Jake Stensberg joyfully tossing colorful confetti
Jake Stensberg Named an OUTstanding VoiceSan Francisco Business Times

Jake Stensberg Named an OUTstanding Voice

Since becoming artistic director in 2022, he has led the San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus with a focus on artistic growth, community connection, and meaningful performance. The Chorus is known for its holiday concerts, collaborations with the San Francisco Symphony, and national anthem appearances at major sporting events. His recognition by the San Francisco Business Times highlights his commitment to musical excellence and to strengthening and celebrating the LGBTQ arts community in the Bay Area.
June 6, 2024
‘Home for the Holidays is about the light and strength within us all.’
San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus - Christmas Eve 2025
‘Home for the Holidays is about the light and strength within us all.’Music

‘Home for the Holidays is about the light and strength within us all.’

At Davies Symphony Hall, the San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus brought holiday spirit to a packed house with their annual Christmas Eve concert, a tradition for many families across the Bay Area. Audience members described the evening as a meaningful part of their holiday celebration, gathering with loved ones to enjoy music and community. Backed by hundreds of volunteers, the Chorus filled the hall with Christmas favorites and a message of hope. This year’s theme,…
December 24, 2025
Jacob Stensberg: ‘I Want You to Leave the Holiday Spectacular Transformed’
KRON 4 San Francisco Gay Men's Chorus holiday concert
Jacob Stensberg: ‘I Want You to Leave the Holiday Spectacular Transformed’KRON 4

Jacob Stensberg: ‘I Want You to Leave the Holiday Spectacular Transformed’

The SFGMC Holiday Spectacular is a remedy for the winter blues, designed to infuse the season with 'dazzle, shine, and glitter.' By blending holiday classics with pop anthems from icons like Elton John and Lady Gaga, Stensberg aims to create a transformative experience for the 20,000 attendees. His hope is that audiences leave not just entertained, but inspired to treat others with kindness and find moments of joy and self-care in their daily lives.
December 7, 2025
Turning up the heat this winter with 300 singing members
CBS News Bay Area Interviews Jake Stensberg on the Holiday Spectacular
Turning up the heat this winter with 300 singing membersCBS Bay Area

Turning up the heat this winter with 300 singing members

Jake Stensberg appeared on CBS News to share how the San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus is “turning up the heat this winter” with 300 singers. He describes bringing “more light, more brilliance, more shine” through music from Lady Gaga, Elton John, Cher, and “White Christmas” with their own flair. Audiences can expect kick lines, boas, costumes, dancers, and lights that highlight Bay Area creativity, innovation, and inclusivity. Jake says performing feels like “singing around the…
December 3, 2025
Pride Concert Debuts at Green Music Center
San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus brings its Pride Concert to Green Music Center for the first time
Pride Concert Debuts at Green Music CenterPress Democrat

Pride Concert Debuts at Green Music Center

Under Jacob Stensberg’s direction, the San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus is bringing its Pride Concert to Sonoma State University’s Green Music Center for the first time, building on years of sold out holiday performances. The program celebrates and uplifts trans and nonbinary communities with pop songs about resilience, identity, and belonging, including music by Grammy-nominated songwriter Justin Tranter. Jacob also reflects on the chorus’s roots in Holly Near’s “Singing for Our Lives” and its ongoing…
June 4, 2025
Federal Grant Cuts Affect SFGMC
SF Gay Men's Chorus, SFJAZZ reeling after sudden Trump administration grant cuts
Federal Grant Cuts Affect SFGMCKTVU FOX 2

Federal Grant Cuts Affect SFGMC

The Chorus lost its long-time NEA grant. In the interview, Jacob Stensberg said the decision brings “rage, anger, like someone is trying to minimize you, tell you your stories don't matter.” He continues to guide the Chorus as it prepares for its Pride concert and works to support its education programs.
June 3, 2025
“Joy, Camp, and Classic Broadway” SFGMC celebrates show tunes
“Joy, Camp, and Classic Broadway” SFGMC celebrates show tunesBay Area Reporter

“Joy, Camp, and Classic Broadway” SFGMC celebrates show tunes

The Bay Area Reporter previews “Broadway, Our Way,” a dynamic San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus concert celebrating classic musical theater through a joyful, queer lens. Led by Artistic Director Jacob Stensberg, the production blends iconic Broadway songs with contemporary arrangements, humor, and emotional depth. The article highlights the Chorus’s vocal excellence, theatricality, and commitment to storytelling that reflects LGBTQ+ history and lived experience. Performing at San Francisco’s historic Curran Theater, the concert affirms the Chorus’s…
March 16, 2025
“When We All Come Together With a Shared Goal, Anything Can Happen”
“When We All Come Together With a Shared Goal, Anything Can Happen”San Francisco Bay Times

“When We All Come Together With a Shared Goal, Anything Can Happen”

In an interview with the San Francisco Bay Times, Jacob Stensberg reflects on his first holiday season as Artistic Director of the San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus and the collective energy driving the Chorus forward. The article previews the SFGMC Holiday Spectacular, featuring beloved holiday classics alongside multilingual selections and new works by contemporary composers. Stensberg speaks about building community through music, the excitement of returning to in-person performances, and the deep support he feels…
December 1, 2022
Jacob Stensberg Named Artistic Director
Jacob Stensberg Named Artistic DirectorSan Francisco Chronicle

Jacob Stensberg Named Artistic Director

The San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus selected Jacob Stensberg as its new artistic director after a national search. He brings experience leading choirs at Purdue University and a commitment to new music and emerging composers. His appointment reflects the Chorus’s ongoing work to expand access and welcome all singers who perform in the tenor and bass range.
April 24, 2022