Katrina Van Humbeck releases new album inspired by verse in Isaiah

A Manitoba song teacher and artist is releasing her third album, giving all the glory to God through her songs. 

"Somehow I know that [my mom] is rejoicing in heaven right now with me thinking, 'You go. I'm so proud of you still'," says Katrina Van Humbeck on the release of her latest album, Stronger Still. 

When Van Humbeck isn't teaching private lessons at the Winnipeg Conservatory of Music or substitute teaching, she's pouring her heart into her music. 

"My mom passed away in February of 2016. We were very close and my mom was a real woman of faith, a prayer warrior. One of those real encouragers. My sister and I were beside her bedside when she passed. I remember on June 13 that year, I started writing lyrics about her passing." 

Van Humbeck released her first album Blue and Beyond in 2017, which included the song she wrote about her mom's death titled 'I'll Watch You Go.'

"I've always enjoyed writing as a literary teacher, but then with the music, the combination of putting music and lyrics together, it's just been such an incredible joy for me. This creative flow was a need to express myself in that way through songwriting and also it's another avenue to bring glory to God."

Stronger Still, Van Humbeck's third album has 10 original tunes on it. 

"This is a really neat, during-pandemic-style creation. I was inspired by my faith in God. I wanted to hone in on bringing hope and encouragement during these past few years where people have had so much immeasurable loss and pain."

The themes of Van Humbeck's songs are love, hope, and strength. Each one is connected in some way to the Bible verse found in Isaiah 40:31, which she calls a power verse.

"I'm really excited to have been able to share these songs during the release. One woman said, 'Wow, this really speaks to me because I've been going through a really hard time in the past few years and these songs will really minister to me.' That's exactly what I want to hear."

The release was on April 30 at the CCFM (Centre Culturel Franco-Manitobain) in St. Boniface.