Hilltop Street Choir
Welcoming all to sing with us!
About Us
The Hilltop Street Choir is a non-audition choir that bridges the conversation between the artist, activist and audience. We rehearse and perform as both member and audience, hoping to build a network of members in the choir that activates the moral conscious of the public to be involved in issues that would otherwise only be in the limelight of activists.
Our rehearsals are open to all – but are currently paused due to the COVID-19 pandemic. We are working on curating a virtual rehearsal space for 2021. If you would like to be a part of the choir, please email us at hello@hilltopstreetchoir.org!
Our Team
Gus Labayen
Co-Founder & Keyboardist
Gus is a 1st generation Filipino American. He was voluntarily homeless, traveling by bicycle down the Pacific Coast and coast-to-coast along the northern tier of the US and Canada. Gus is an avid outdoorsman, primarily through bicycles, climbing and snow. He lives in the Hilltop at the White House of the Tacoma Catholic Worker. He and his fiancé Jordan are celebrating their marriage in May 2020.
Josh Setten
Co-Founder & Choir Director
Originally hailing from Kirkland, WA, Josh has been a choral singer for over 20 years. He met Gus in 2007 at Central Washington University and they became fast friends, sharing the stage and musical insight for over a decade. After graduation, he spent some time teaching Choral Arts in public schools in Yakima, WA, and is now truly enjoying the time he spends with the Hilltop Street Choir as the Music Director since it’s inception in January of 2019. Josh now works as a Real Estate agent with John L. Scott and is based in Tacoma, and loves helping people navigate the process of buying and selling homes. He and his wife married in October 2019 and live in University Place with their cat, Harlow.
Mary Connolly
Digital Media Extraordinaire
Mary first found her way to Tacoma as a Jesuit Volunteer serving at Nativity House. She fell in love with the G Street community and recently moved back to the block to live in the Catholic Worker. She is attending the University of Washington as a Master of Public Administration student. She is passionate about equity issues, singing, and pasta!
Donate
We appreciate your support!