Gospel singer Shayla bares her soul
Gospel music has helped Shayla Woods through many challenges in her life.
She found herself at a crossroads when she returned home from college 18 months ago. She had a degree in musical performance, but wasn’t sure how God would have her use it.
“I was seeking direction as to my next move and how to apply my degree here at home,” the 27-year-old said.
“I was feeling defeated and second-guessing my musical ability, but one day listening to The Anthem by Planetshakers put things into perspective. It spoke to the fact that Christ dwells in me.
“It encouraged me to walk in my purpose no matter what things look like, knowing that I serve a risen King who has conquered the grave.”
Tonight Ms Woods will use her vocal talents to inspire and encourage others.
Her first live gospel event, ‘The Heart of Worship Concert’, will also feature performances by Tricray Astwood, Adrian Jones, Perfected Praise and Anointed for Praise Warriors. It takes place at City Hall at 7.30pm.
“I love the arts and love to write and listen to music. I also love God, so I decided to combine the two,” she said.
“About two years ago I released my first single, Dwell in Me, and people started asking for more. I got to writing and now I feel like I am transitioning. I’m in a season of change and felt like I needed to leave a deposit here in Bermuda before I leave to go to the UK next year.”
She plans to use the year abroad to buckle down with her music and writing and take some time out to travel as well.
“It’s something I’ve wanted to do since I finished university,” she explained. “I just always wanted to travel and be free and explore.
“I have a degree of applied science in musical performance from McNally Smith College of Music in Minnesota. It’s a vocal degree so I can teach basic warm-up techniques and teach praise teams, choirs and individual vocalists as well. I couldn’t see myself doing anything else.
“It’s what I love to do and I just want to sharpen my craft and get a better understanding of who I am as a musician and be able to apply what I’ve learnt in my degree.”
Ms Woods was eight years old when she first sang on stage. She was invited by a lady at her former church, West Pembroke Pentecostal Assembly.
It was nerve-wrecking at first, but over time she grew comfortable with performing.
These days it means a great deal to her that she gets to sing about her faith.
“I was raised in the church and am a gospel singer,” she said. “I wouldn’t compromise on that because I have a relationship with God and He gives me this gift so I am giving my gift back to the giver.”
Her faith deepened when she was 17.
“At that stage you kind of find out who you are and what you really want to do and God was always there,” she said.
“I believe that gospel music speaks to people and that’s where my sermons are — through my music. At different points in my life I found myself listening to a lot of gospel and listening to the words and it really inspired me.
“Songs just aren’t words to me. They breathe life into hard situations. When I’m listening to a song or writing my own music I just feel I’m in a secret place with God where nothing else matters. I’m writing out my heart.”
Ms Woods said she hopes those who come out to tonight’s event will see first-hand that Christ lives in her.
“I want them to see that I’m ‘souled out’, that I’m not compromising who I am as a young person,” she said. “I also want people to see that worship and free worship is fun and being a young Christian isn’t boring. I want them to know that having a relationship with God is most important and that getting to know Him can really change your life.”
Ms Woods credits her mother, Candy Woods, her church New Creation Worship Centre and her twin sister, Shondi, for helping her get to this point.
She also received assistance from Gina Spence Productions in Christ to pull the final touches of the evening together.
“Shayla was actually the first recipient of our performing arts scholarship when she first went away to school, so we are really happy that she is back home and giving back,” Gina Spence said. “It’s wonderful to see the return on an investment.”
Part proceeds from the event will go towards Ms Woods’ upcoming trip; another part will be given to a local programme aimed at helping children who have lost parents to gun violence.
Tickets, $30, are available at the Music Box and City Hall Box Office.
Three songs that have inspired gospel singer Shayla Woods:
1. Sovereign God by Maurette Brown Clark. Ms Woods felt the words to this song were extremely beautiful and powerful. “It speaks to who God is and says we don’t have to know the plan because He is God,” she said.
2. For Your Glory by Tasha Cobbs. “A lot of times you sing songs, but when it comes to the words you’re singing will you really do it?” Ms Woods asked. This song speaks to how people should try to do everything just to please and honour Him, she said.
3. Dwell in Me by Shayla Woods. “This is a song that I wrote, but it means a lot to me as it talks about being in that secret place [where nothing else matters] with God.”
