Founded in 1978, the San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus sparked a nationwide LGBTQ choral movement after its first public performance at a vigil on the steps of City Hall following the assassinations of Sueprvisor Harvey Milk and Mayor George Moscone. Since then, SFGMC has been embedded in the fabric of San Francisco. It has soothed souls in pain, lifted spirits in triumph, and has remained a steadfast beacon of hope.
Under the leadership of Chris Verdugo and Jacob Stensberg, SFGMC has established a heightened level of performance standards bringing renewed audience and choral industry acclaim. Recent touring schedules, recordings, and outreach programs have broadened its impact and reputation in the communitywhile maintaining its signature blend of humor, personality, and groundbreaking performances. In 2019 SFGMC acquired a historic facility that has become its permanent home for rehearsals and offices. The building also serves as the Chan National Queer Arts Center, the first-ever community space for LGBTQ artists and arts organizations.

Jacob Stensberg is thrilled to be ushering in his second season as the conductor and artistic director of the San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus and the Chan National Queer Arts Center. Prior to his appointment with SFGMC, he was the assistant director for Purdue Musical Organizations at Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana. In addition to his work at Purdue, Mr. Stensberg enjoyed working with Butler University choirs and orchestras, the Indianapolis Symphonic Choir, the Circle City Chamber Choir, the Booth Tarkington Civic Theater, Zach&Zack Productions, BOBDIREX, the Eclectic Pond Theatre Company, and the Civic Theater of Lafayette.
Mr. Stensberg’s inaugural season with the SFGMC included a record-setting Holiday Spectacular, two record-setting spring performances of Disney PRIDE in Concert, and his debut conducting the San Francisco Symphony in partnership with SFGMC last July on Hello Yellow Brick Road. He received his formal and formative training from Dr. Kristina Boerger at Carroll University in Waukesha, Wisconsin, where he earned a bachelor of music education. He earned his master of music in conducting from Butler University, where he studied with Eric Stark.