Jane VanHouten
Music Director Jane Muldoon VanHouten brings an inspiring balance of liturgical knowledge and musical expression and technique to her music ministry. Warmth, empathy and improvisation are all hallmarks of her music leadership – leadership that has earned her a reputation for stirring the hearts of parishioners and heightening their interaction with the liturgy and each other through music. In 2022, Jane was honored with taking on the mantle of Director of Grand Rapids NPM board.
Three attributes underpin Jane’s beliefs about how to build a vibrant music ministry: creativity, spirituality and a passion for engaging people in the call to discipleship. Throughout her career, Jane has brought the religious experience to life through music, illuminating the connection between the liturgy, music and community, drawing out the musical gifts of others, and reminding all parishioners of 1 Timothy, 4:14: “Do not neglect the Gift you have.” She is an accomplished musician on the piano and organ, and a rousing choral and instrumental conductor with an eclectic musical repertoire. Jane believes choral and instrumental works are offered not as performances, but as a form of prayer.
Jane is the Director of Liturgical Music at St. Robert of Newminster – a large parish and school of 1,900 families in Ada, Michigan. During her tenure, Jane has grown the opportunities for parishioners to participate in music, including a 46-member Chamber Choir, 24-member Schola Choir, 24-member Resurrection Choir – for 70 + year-old parishioners and a three-tiered Children’s Choir. As a Pastoral Musician, Jane understands how music helps people connect the celebration of the liturgy with their life of faith. For example, recently a young man preparing to be married in the Church after spending some time as a fallen away Catholic was very moved by a song the choir sang. As Jane tells the story, “He came up to me after mass and told me the music kept saying to him ‘Welcome home.’ It’s one of the joys of being a music minister. Music helps awaken people to the gifts of the spirit that foster hope, support healing and enliven their faith.”
Jane began her career as a music teacher. Using cross-curriculum methods, Jane collaborated with other teachers to give her students well-rounded musical training while linking it to the other subjects at school, from “musical math” to asking students to write poetry and set it to music. In 2004 while working in an ethnically diverse Catholic elementary school, Jane received grants and created curriculums that celebrated the many diverse cultures represented in the largely Hispanic and African American population. “Beyond Our Borders” – a world music curriculum project for students, grades K-8, focused on the music and art from different cultures around the world with visiting speakers and artists. She also received grants to author and implement African and Hispanic cultural workshops for the school in collaboration with all the schools in the Diocese.
Jane’s teaching experience along with her excellent work with several children’s choirs and the Children’s Opera Workshop led to her first music ministry as Associate Director of Music at St. Robert’s of Newminster Church in 2006. For three years before joining Immaculate Heart of Mary, Jane assisted in managing multiple choral ensembles, established her trademark high-quality music for the liturgy and led the Children’s Choirs and sectional work, followed by 12 years as Music Director at Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish.
Jane’s transformational leadership style – strong emotional intelligence, self-awareness and empathy – enables her to develop the musical talents and gifts of each congregation she serves. Like a patient and loving gardener, she is able to cultivate and grow the fruits of liturgical music, awakening the spirit of faith and community wherever she goes.
