Album Notes

An’Draea Keene is an anointed singer, songwriter, and praise and worship leader from Suitland, Maryland. Her journey began as a teenager, where she was introduced to classical music in a performing arts program at Suitland High School. An’Draea’s musicianship earned her various solo performance opportunities around the Washington area. In high school she made Maryland All-State Chorus (Ocean City, MD) every year as well as All Eastern Regional Honors chorus (Syracuse, NY), in which she was chosen from hundreds to be a soloist. She was also a member of an r&b/gospel group, Essence of Soul, which earned enough acclaim to be offered a recording contract by Columbia Records. However, the group divided when some members refused to record anything but gospel music. The group was never signed. Although An’Draea was disappointed in the split, she greatly respected her friends who refused to compromise their faith in Christ for a career in music- and she never forgot their witness. Finally, she earned a scholarship to Morgan State University, where her virtuosity as a classically trained soprano increased.

An’Draea’s award-winning matriculation included winning the Gold Medal in the Rosa Ponselle All-Marylander’s Classical Competition for Young Singers; and 1st place in the National Association for Teachers of Singing Competition (Maryland) for three consecutive years. Additionally, she has done solo work with the likes of Wynton Marsalis, in the debut of his first major orchestral work, “All Rise” at Carnegie Hall; Kurt Masur (New York Philharmonic Orchestra); and Bobby McFerrin. In 1998, AnDraea was the featured soloist with the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra in their annual Community Outreach Concert Series. She has also performed as a choral soloist with Philadelphia Symphony, New Jersey Symphony, New York Philharmonic, Chicago Sinfonietta, and other major orchestras. Her extensive experience at Morgan State exposed her to all genres of music including classical, jazz, gospel, and pop; as well as to other great gospel artists like Richard Smallwood, Karen Clarke-Sheard, and Kim Burrell. An’Draea credits the depth of her musical experience to great teachers and mentors- Mr. Ronald Johnson, Ms. Myra Merritt, Mrs. Betty Ridgeway, and the late Dr Nathan Carter.

After receiving Christ as Lord in her last year as an undergrad, An’Draea began writing her own music. Subsequently she forewent the opportunity to continue to pursue her classical career, and decided to follow her heart and her call to ministry. She has served as worship leader for Tabernacle of Praise Ministry in Landover Hills, Maryland. An’Draea has earned a Bachelors Degree in Music from Morgan State University, and a Masters of Education Degree from Regent University. She counts it a unique privilege to share her gift of music as a full time music teacher in Prince George's County Public Schools in Maryland. She has released her first gospel CD-“Xstatic”, and is currently planning to record her next project. She is the founder of Saul2Paul Project, an evangelistic ministry whose ultimate purpose is to use music as a tool to spread the gospel of Jesus Christ and uplift the Body of Christ!