Destiny for some is a direct route. For others, there are twists and turns. Theresa Pinkney would fall in category of the latter, but with the voice of an angel and a pure love for God, destiny delayed is not destiny denied. Gospel artist Theresa Pinkney has recently released her 5-track EP entitled Introducing Theresa Pinkney (Gospel Sunshine). From Gifts of the Spirit Music, the mini-project is a snippet of the upcoming full length release which is certain to capture the ear of gospel music fans and industry folks alike. Although she is a new voice in gospel music, she carries a captivating soprano, a passion for ministry and a desire for God to touch the world through her. For Theresa, life began in a one-parent household with a mother who was the backbone of her family. Although they lived in what Theresa terms as “the projects” in Northeast Washington, D.C., there was plenty of love to go around and church was always a part of their Sunday mornings. First she was spiritually nurtured at a local Baptist church, then a “holiness” church, growing up with “the fear of God” in her. But for Theresa, church was also the beginning of her love affair with gospel music. Listening to the choir, her heart was touched and she saw how others were moved by the power of the music. At the tender age of 7, not only did she receive salvation, but she made it her life’s goal to become a singer – that was after countless bedroom “performances” to a captivated crowd of dolls and stuffed animals. Although shy, music was an outlet for her. Years later, she was accepted at one of the Nation’s Capitol’s most prestigious arts schools, Duke Ellington School for the Arts. As she attended Duke Ellington, she felt like a fish out of water. Coming from the streets of Northeast, D.C., to the elite community of Georgetown was a culture shock for her. She says it was “the best experience” of her life, taking her out of a toxic environment. “I honestly believe that music saved my life,” says Theresa. “It wasn’t that I was a bad kid, but music kept me out of trouble.” Not only was the experience an eye-opening one culturally, but musically as well. She learned classical music and sung songs from the school’s repertoire of German and Italian. In addition, she started singing R&B music along with gospel music. Her time there further solidified her calling to music. After graduating from Duke Ellington, she continued singing with such groups as Testify and Mission, groups which opened up for artists such as Jennifer Holliday. She started an R&B group but never felt she “fit in the R&B world.” After being ousted from the group, depression briefly set in and she wound up with writer’s block, almost giving up on her dream of singing. She prayed, ultimately realizing that her voice needed to be heard. So she got up the nerve and decided to reach for the stars and the bright lights of The Big Apple, hoping to try out her chops and try to make it as a background vocalist. The experience would change her life. She took a Master’s Class for vocalists with well-known gospel artist and Broadway star Yolanda Wyns. Prior to that, Theresa had been torn between singing mainstream music and gospel, and continued to sing both. But she realized something at that Master Class. “Whenever I sung gospel, I noticed that I touched people more,” says the artist. “In singing gospel, I realized that I was using the instrument for the purpose God intended. God helped me to realize that it wasn’t about me singing what I wanted to sing; it was about me singing what HE wanted me to sing.” That was the day she was sold out to gospel music, and gospel music alone. Wyns not only taught her vocal techniques to better her singing, but she encouraged her, mentored her and helped set her on the path to her musical destiny. Once coming back from New York City, she joined the contemporary gospel group Just Breathe. Just Breathe was not only a good experience for her musically, but as she grew closer to the group’s members, her shyness melted away. Although she loved the group, it came a time for her to, as she says, “step out from hiding behind other people, face the fears and walk in boldness”. She knew it was time to sing songs the way that Theresa Pinkney interpreted them. That was the impetus for the new EP, Introducing Theresa Pinkney (Gospel Sunshine). A diverse collection of sounds and influences, Introducing Theresa Pinkney is the artist’s debut onto the gospel music stage. Featuring contemporary gospel, urban, jazz and other musical styles, the overwhelming theme is God’s love. She tapped gospel artist Jocelyn aka iNDIGO for the project as principal songwriter and co-producer. Joining the production team is Dewayne “DJ Bam The Gospel DJ” Staten and Elliot Jefferson. Theresa also wrote three songs (“Silent Praise”, “Never Alone” and “Count It All Joy”) and co-wrote three songs (“Follow Christ”, “You Are” and “Closer Walk With You”) for the CD release. Not only are all the songs an inspiration to those who listen, but the songs minster to the artist herself. “Never Alone” is a beautiful ballad performed exquisitely by Theresa with guest backing vocals by Jesus Groupies United. The song’s lyrics, inspired by Theresa and her husband’s struggle to conceive, remind the listener that no matter what happens (or does not happen), God never leaves us alone. “Through the experience, both my husband and I understand that it’s not about what we want,” shares Theresa. “It’s about God’s will, which we know is best for us.” It’s clear that Theresa has no problem pouring out her heart and struggles in her music, evident by the song “Me Against The World”. The opening track holds a special place in Theresa’s heart. Not only was it the first song she recorded, but the actual recording itself was a huge step of faith for the artist; during the process, she became determined not to let anything or anyone stop her. In the end, she wants to leave listeners with one message: boldness. “I want people who listen to my project to learn to walk in boldness and not in fear. I want people to shine their light as bright as they can; don’t ever let anyone dim your light. Don’t conform to the world; let the world conform to you." Look for full release Cd in Summer 2011. TEHILLAH ENTERPRISES, LLC P.O. Box 1855 waldorf, MD 20602 888.844.7701 INFO@TEHILLAHENTERPRISESPR.COM WWW.TEHILLAHENTERPRISESPR.COM www.theresapinkney.com Read more on Last.fm. User-contributed text is available under the Creative Commons By-SA License; additional terms may apply.