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Welcome
I am so happy to have you stop by my website, and I am especially thankful that you would take the time to learn about me and my music ministry!
I have assembled what I believe to be a beautiful collection of songs which are rearranged hymns and original compositions which are presented in a soothing Christian Contemporary Music format. intended to bring inspiration, encouragement, and hope, to those who are discouraged. My desire is to always sing songs which have a special meaning to me, and in turn I hope would be a special blessing to others.
Early Years
My parents, Pastor James and Sarah Washington, provided me with a musically rich environment. As a result I developed a love for singing as a young child. My earliest memories are of the family, singing around the piano, as my mother played, especially on Fridays nights after family worship. My mother always supported my father’s ministry by playing the piano for church and directing the choirs. Being the youngest child, I was also inspired musically by my older sister Sarah, and wanted to sound just like her. I sang in a children’s choir and for school programs, and I always enjoyed the music. It fascinated me. I especially remember, Beverly Vaughn! She directed the “Children’s Choir at the Ephesus SDA Church in Columbus, Ohio, and I can still remember singing the first song she taught us over 30 years ago, “He’s My Rock My Sword My Shield” By James Cleveland. My maternal grandmother, Sarah Costen, also greatly impressed me because; she was a self taught musician, who sounded like a professional operatic singer. Her voice would always be heard soaring above the whole church congregation as they sang at her home church, Mt. Zion Seventh Day Church in New Haven, CT. She amazed many audiences throughout her life singing everywhere she could.
High School Influences
The turning point in my life came when I was in the 10th grade, at Mt. Vernon Academy, in Mt. Vernon, Ohio, a Christian, Seventh Day Adventist boarding school. As I recall, during assembly we would sing for the worship service and on many occasions’ people would turn around to me to see who was singing in a pleasant manner. To my surprise, I was asked to sing at a Banquet for the school. It was my very first invitation, to sing a solo, and I graciously accepted. Even though I rehearsed as much as I could, I was nervous and very self-conscious as a budding teenager. In spite of that performance, invitations for me to sing continued to come from that moment on. So, I decided that, I would accept any invitation to sing, if were in my power to do so.
Next, a student named, Delton Pottinger, started a Gospel Choir on the school campus. I was one of the featured soloists singing with a more conservative gospel flare, along with another young lady named Debbie Orr, who sang much more soulfully. The students were very critical, but I learned a lot during that experience. I learned to be myself and to do my best. During my 11th grade year at Mt. Vernon Academy, I participated in a Talent Show. This experience really shaped my attitude about my music. One had to audition for the show, which I did, and I was approved to sing on the program. The show started and I was scheduled to sing. Delton Pottinger played as I sang “The Greatest Love of All”. When I finished singing, the audience applauded for me so long, that the MC ended up interrupting the applause to continue with the program. When the judges chose the winners and awards were given out, I got nothing, to the surprise of the audience, students, parents, and faculty. After the program I was surrounded by many people congratulating me. At the end of the program, to my surprise, I was told I was not in the competition, however, I had not been informed of this during the audition. Well, one thing I learned from that experience is this, if you do your best, everyone will know it whether or not you get an award.
For my senior year in high school I transferred to Pine Forge Academy (PFA) in Pottstown, Pennsylvania, a Christian, Seventh Day Adventist boarding school. There I continued to sing. I started taking private voice lessons from the Choir Director, Mr. Harold Anthony, as well as sing in the PFA Choir. I was one of the lead sopranos, and a featured soloist. Mr. Harold Anthony really encouraged me to sing, and even told me I could audition at any School of Music and get accepted. That really boosted my confidence.
College Years
Now it was time to go to College, and I was sent, I repeat sent, to Pacific Union College (PUC), a Christian, Seventh Day Adventist college in Angwin, California. I had always wanted to major in Nursing, but I also wanted to pursue Music during my college experience. My parents told me they would support me to pursue Nursing. Well at that time, I made it a point to pay for private voice lessons for myself. I had a female teacher (I can’t remember her name) who really loved to sing, and she tended to sing all during my voice lessons, as a result, I admit I really didn’t learn much. I went to Spain my sophomore year in college, and I continued to sing solo’s in the choir there, but I never gave up my desire to learn to sing more professionally. Upon my return to the United Stated, I returned to PUC and began my studies in nursing, which took all my focus, but I did manage to sing solo’s here and there.
Vocal Training
Later, I continued my studies in Glendale, Ca where the Nursing Program continued. One day I was with a friend named George Swanson, a musician in his own right, and he said he was going to the Klein Vocal Studios, and asked if I wanted to join him and so I did. There I met Mr. James Uselman, who was a private vocal instructor, teaching the Klein method. I auditioned for him and he accepted me as a student. I continued to study with him on and off for many years. Our musical relationship finally ended in 2000. I found a new vocal instructor, an African American classical musician, named Sheila Antoine, who sang "Climb Every Mountain" for the original musical score for the movie, “The Sound of Music.” Finding her was an answer to prayer. Her vocal techniques were compatible with what I had already learned and we jelled beautifully. During this time I continued to sing locally at special occasions such as church services, weddings, funerals, and special programs.
Musical Infuences.
As an artist, I enjoy listening to a variety of Music as reflected by the variety of artists who I would say have impressed me with their music from Beverly Vaughn, Barbara Streisand, Morman Tabernacle Choir, Harold Anthony PFA Choir Director, Delton Pottinger, Gwen Foster, Evie Tornquist, Sandy Patty, Cece Winans, Yolanda Adams, Anita Baker, Wintley Phipps, Kurt Carr and many more.
Summary
Music is such a precious gift that God has given us, and an important way in which we communicate messages of inspiration to others. I have always considered the words which I communicate, to be very important, wanting them to have deep meaning, not just frivolous tunes, but songs with words of encouragement. I have always prayed to my heavenly Father asking Him to help me to be a blessing to others. He has never let me down and as a result I have been able to sing for many people in many places around the world, like Spain, Italy, Kenya and spanning from the East to the West Coast of the US.
Today
I have been married for almost 20 years to my loving husband Carl Irby and we have two wonderful teenage son’s Trustin and Gabriel who have been a blessing from the Lord, and they have all been very supportive in my musical endeavors. I have continued to pursue a career in Nursing for over 25 years now, yet my dream is still alive.
I am who I am today because of my past experiences as well as the artists who have influenced me.
I solicit your financial support and prayers as I continue my Music Ministry.
May God Richly Bless You.
Nancy Washington Irby