Biography
Steve Petrunak is an accomplished guitarist, composer, instructor, clinician, and author with nearly 50 years of experience in Catholic Church music ministry. His career began in the Detroit area, where he became known for his leadership in church music and his dedication to music education. Over the decades, Petrunak has recorded and produced more than 1,000 guitar-based instrumental tracks spanning a wide variety of genres, and his works are available across major streaming platforms. He has also authored several instructional books for GIA Publications and has taught over 150 guitar students throughout his career.
Petrunak's influence extends beyond performance and teaching; he has served as Artistic Director and Primary Conductor for choirs exceeding 200 voices, including leading performances at Carnegie Hall's Perelman Stage in Stern Auditorium. Nationally recognized for his leadership, he was President and CEO of the National Association of Pastoral Musicians from 2017 to 2020, and has held board positions with both the NPM and the American Guild of Music. Locally, he is a faculty member at Sacred Heart Major Seminary in Detroit and serves as Director of Music at St. Blase Catholic Church in Sterling Heights, Michigan. His commitment to liturgical music is further reflected in his role as a founding member of the Catholic Liturgical Ensemble Formation, a non-profit supporting ensemble church musicians.
Fun Facts
- Steve Petrunak has conducted choirs of over 200 voices at Carnegie Hall's Perelman Stage in Stern Auditorium.
- He has recorded and produced more than 1,000 guitar-based instrumental tracks, covering a wide range of genres.
- Petrunak is a founding member of the Catholic Liturgical Ensemble Formation, a non-profit organization supporting church musicians.
- He served as President and CEO of the National Association of Pastoral Musicians from 2017 to 2020.
Musical Connections
Key Collaborators
- Catholic Liturgical Ensemble Formation - Founding member and collaborator in ensemble church music programming (Significant music programming for ensemble church musicians) [Ongoing]
- National Association of Pastoral Musicians - Leadership and collaboration as President/CEO and board member (Organizational leadership, workshops, national events) [2017-2020 (President/CEO); additional years as board member]
Artists Influenced
- 150+ guitar students - Private instruction and mentorship in guitar performance and liturgical music (Individual student progress and contributions to church music) [Over 40 years]
Connection Network
Discography
Albums
| Title | Release Date | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Shake It Off: Instrumental Guitar Covers of Pop Hits | 2014-12-17 | Album |
| Top Country Hits on Guitar | 2024-10-04 | Album |
| Popular Disney Favorites on Acoustic Guitar | 2017-04-17 | Album |
| Current Pop Country Hits: Hell of a View | 2022-06-30 | Album |
| Instrumental Versions of Best Pop and Country Hits - Loving You Easy | 2021-03-18 | Album |
| Instrumental Guitar Songs (From the Film "A Star Is Born") | 2019-01-28 | Album |
| Acoustic Guitar Versions of Country Hits | 2016-01-29 | Album |
| Here for a Good Time: Music of George Strait on Guitar | 2024-03-28 | Album |
| Instrumental Versions of Current Country Songs: Meant To Be | 2019-02-26 | Album |
| Instrumental Cover Versions of 70s Songs: Jet Airliner | 2014-12-18 | Album |
| Instrumental Versions of Current Popular Songs: Cool Kids | 2014-12-17 | Album |
| Calming Acoustics for Spa, Massage & Relaxation | 2020-02-11 | Album |
| Instrumental Guitar of New Pop Hits | 2019-02-13 | Album |
| Better Than a Hallelujah - Soft Contemporary Christian | 2017-10-26 | Album |
| Old Favorites from the 70s on Acoustic Guitar | 2021-02-03 | Album |
Top Tracks
- Chandelier (Shake It Off: Instrumental Guitar Covers of Pop Hits)
- Rude (Shake It Off: Instrumental Guitar Covers of Pop Hits)
- Cool Kids (Shake It Off: Instrumental Guitar Covers of Pop Hits)
- Shallow (Instrumental Version) (Instrumental Guitar Songs (From the Film "A Star Is Born"))
- Try (Instrumental Versions of Current Popular Songs: Cool Kids)
- Shake It Off (Shake It Off: Instrumental Guitar Covers of Pop Hits)
- Animals (Shake It Off: Instrumental Guitar Covers of Pop Hits)
- Maps (Shake It Off: Instrumental Guitar Covers of Pop Hits)
- Next Thing You Know (Instrumental Version) (Top Country Hits on Guitar)
- Wild World (Instrumental Cover Versions of 70s Songs: Jet Airliner)
External Links
References
Heard on WWOZ
Steve Petrunak has been played 1 time on WWOZ 90.7 FM, New Orleans' jazz and heritage station.
| Date | Time | Title | Show | Spotify |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 10, 2025 | 01:30 | Daydream Believer | The Dean's Listw/ Dean Ellis |