Seventh-day Adventist Woman plays organ for Pope Francis during Mass

KMPH News

Most in the massive crowd Wednesday were there to celebrate mass but a Fresno woman was there to serve at something she calls the chance of a lifetime. Joy-Leilani Garbutt's father says he knew early on she was meant to play the organ but never guessed one day, she would play for the pope.

She would go under her family's piano while he would play.

Once she grew up, she played at Fresno Adventist Academy and Fresno Pacific University— and went on to achieve masters at Northwestern and Harvard.

She is currently a minister of music at two churches [Adventist & Lutheran] in Washington D.C.

She's working on her doctorate of music at the catholic university of America, which is how she got the gig.

Joy-Leilani Garbutt said, "There was just so much wonderful energy around the event with all the great musicians gathered together with the full orchestra. There were four organists and we each had a turn playing for different parts of the mass, it was such an honor."

Joy's father Dr. Glenn Garbutt said, "For her to be able to play for the world leader of a major church is a blessing and a unique opportunity to praise the lord across a bigger stage."

Source: http://www.kmph-kfre.com/story/30103577/fresno-woman-plays-organ-for-pope