ICONIC FEB 2015 | Page 13

Biography Theresa Pinkney 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 entered the Gospel music industry with her Gifts of the Spirit Music debut CD, Me Against The World. Her awards – a 2014 DMV Christian Music Award for Female Indie Artist of the Year, a 2013 DMV Christian Music Award for Contemporary Gospel Female Artist of the Year and a 2013 Prayze Factor People’s Choice Awards Season 2 Grand Finale Finalist – are a testament to the success of her first record. Capturing the ear of Gospel music fans and industry folks alike, Pinkney brings a sincerity and sweetness that is rarely witnessed in today’s artists. Although she is a new voice in Gospel music, she’s blessed with 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. She took a master’s class for vocalists with well-known Gospel artist and Broadway star Yolanda Wyns. Wyns not only taught Theresa 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 @earlejjohnson. Facebook, musically, but as she grew closer to the group’s members, her shyness melted away. Although she loved Instagram, and Twitter) the group, it came a time for her to, as she says, “step out from hiding behind other people, face the fears 415-7EJLIVE and walk in boldness”. She knew it was time to sing songs the way that Theresa Pinkney interpreted Email: [email protected] them. Tehillah Enterprises, LLC • P.O. Box 1855 • Waldorf, MD 20604 • [email protected] • www.TehillahPR.com ICONICRADIO.COM 12