It takes courage and unshakeable faith to believe that what’s on the inside of you is far greater than any obstacle before you. Tonia has them both.
The Twin Cities recording artist and actress is undoubtedly one of the best kept secrets in the Midwest. Her vocal style is colored with melodic acrobats and elements of Gospel, Blues, Jazz, R&B, Rock and Worship. The fusion produces a delivery that is authentic, incomparable and electrifying!
Tonia’s versatile ability and incomparable delivery, has afforded her the opportunity to open for various events featuring such mega gospel industry standouts as Dorinda Clark-Cole, Marvin Sapp, Jamal Bryant and Fred Hammond to name a few.
Her latest release, I’m Ready Now, is uniquely different from anything that she has done to date in that it embodies all that she is vocally and spiritually. The official music video for the title track was recently released on numerous online music video sources.
The CD project has garnered national exposure through influential press and radio airplay as a result of being selected in the Top Ten Independent Artist Category for GMC [Gospel Music Channel] Most Powerful Voices Competition; and Jawn Murray and EMI Gospel’s joint efforts to find the ten best unsigned artists in Gospel Music.
Additionally, Tonia has garnered critical acclaim for her leading roles in musical and theatrical productions. Her credits include Encounters (2002), Southern Theater; Black Nativity (2003 – present), Penumbra Theater; Caroline or Change (2009), Guthrie Theater; Loves Covers (2010), Women’s Club of Minneapolis; Mahalia (2011), Fellowship Baptist Church; and Cinderella, The Ordway Theater (2011).
Tonia’s relentless passion for impacting the world of those around her who have fallen on misfortune is evidenced by her spearheading community benefits and projects to aid homeless women to tornado victims. A music effort to aid dozens of North Minneapolis residents impacted by the 2011 May tornadoes drew support from a myriad of artists and community members. The concert, Northside: A Twin Cities Community Benefit, netted nearly $30,000 in cash and in-kind contributions valued at more than $80,000.
I’m Ready Now doesn’t denote that Tonia has arrived at her destination musically, but rather celebrates her evolution over a decade of trials, triumphs and lessons learned. Her lyrics share a powerful story of hope against hope which resonates with many women and serves as a source of encouragement for people to hold fast to their greatest faith – even against all odds.