K. JoyAnn

Songstress, Vocal Stylist, Composer, Psalmist, Worshipper. Kristen JoyAnn Allen, whose name means “Anointed to bring Joy,” was almost literally born and raised in church. Heralded as “The Big Voice in a Little Body, Kristen had her first concert at the age of 3. If it can ever be proved that musical inclination is genetic, then truly Kristen Allen is a study in the making. Her parents, Kevin James Allen and Lillian Estelle Allen, both church musicians and ministers, met as youths during a production of the musical “West Side Story,” where the played the leading roles. Kristen is a third generation extension of an anointed line of praise and worshippers with a passion for music and a love for God.Born in Brooklyn, N.Y. in 1981, Kristen, truly a native New Yorker is country girl charm wrapped in urban chic style. A graduate of Fredrick Douglass Academy in Harlem, student of The Harlem School of the Arts, and The Dance Theater of Harlem, Kristen is a multi-versed artist. Kristen spent most of her youth in one of three places: in church with her family, in the studio with her mother, or practice/performance for one of her many creative outlets like dance, drama, or her first love- music.Kristen, currently a graduating senior at South Carolina State University, is still just as steeped in music as a love for praising as she has been all her life. “Just Wave My Hands” is her favorite song on her debut album. She says, “The Lord woke me up around three o’clock one morning as I was worshipping, I began to cry as I thought about of how good the Lord had been and the words just started to flow.” Kristen, a singer of contemporary gospel, is also a lover of hymns. Her favorite hymn of all time is “Great is Thy Faithfulness,’ because “God’s been faithful even when I wasn’t. He has never failed me.”Just like any other music lover, Kristen has her musical inspirations. In addition to her mother and other singing family members, Kristen has been inspired by Yolanda Adams, LeJuene Thompson, Darlene McCoy, Dorinda Clark-Cole, Kim Burrell, and Donnie McClurklin. Of her calling to music ministry and her career aspirations she says this, “Beyoncé Knowles is truly gifted and blessed. Now if Beyoncé can sing R&B and reach millions of people worldwide, then why can’t I by singing the gospel of Jesus Christ. Though I’ve made it past the audition stage of American Idol, a judge told me that he couldn’t let me sing R&B- that something told him I was supposed to be singing gospel. If God can touch him and tell him what was already in my heart, then my gift has already made room for me. My calling and election is sure.”Education: Frederick Douglass Academy, Harlem, NY Activities: Senior Chorus Director Senior Council SGA- Vice President School Delegate NFTE- Award Winner Cheerleader Dominoes Club Dance Student Harlem School of the Arts Dance Theater of Harlem South Carolina State University- Psychology MajorAwards, Achievements, & Accolades: 2001 Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. Beta Delta Chapter Miss Black & Gold 2001 Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. SC District Miss Black & Gold 1st Runner Up Showtime at the Apollo MEAC Tournament (SCSU Representative) 2003 Palmetto Idol Runner-up Gospel Radio Contest Winner - Glory Communications Gospel 95.3FM 2005-2006 Most Outstanding Alto Soloist ( Black Music Caucus of New York)Stage Experience:1996-1997 Mother /Daughter Concert with mother Rev. Lillian Allen NY Conference Youth Choir ( AME Church 24th Episcopal District) YPC – Young People’s Chorus of NYC- Award Winning 1997-1999 Langston Hughes “Black Nativity” 1999 “For Colored Girls” Harlem Gospel Singers European Tour – Germany Switzerland Background singer for Lashaun Pace, Christopher Cross, Darrel Blair, Oleta Adams, Peabo Bryson, Melissa Manchester, Angie Stone, Kim Burrell, LeJuene Thompson and Donald Lawrence 1999 Jesus Celebration, Okinawa, Japan SCSU Concert Choir – Including concerts in Jamaica & England SCSU Gospel Choir – Award Winning United Voices of Christ 2001 Guest Soloist, Rainbow PUSH/Coalition Convention-Chicago, IL 2005 Actress, Stage Play entitled, “Therefore You Chose” – Florence, SC 2005 Guest Soloist, opening act for the “I Speak Life” Tour with Donald Lawrence & Deitrick Haddon 2005 Guest Artist Hair Etc. Expo- Charleston, SC 2006 2nd Round Semi-finalist Gospel F.O.C.U.S. Talent Competition-Atlanta, GA & Cleveland, OH Praise &Worship Leader, SC State Council of the Pentecostal Assemblies of the World, Inc. Director, SC State Council Choir of the Pentecostal Assemblies of the World, Inc. Soloist- John Lakin & Youth On A Mission 2007 Guest Soloist, Christian Athletes Fellowship-Orangeburg, SC 2007 Guest Soloist, Congressional Black Caucus-Washington, DC 2007 Guest Soloist, National Association of Sponsored Programs of HBCU: Title I-“No Child Left Behind” State Conference 2007 Soloist, Democratic Party Primary Debate (Decision 2008)-Orangeburg, SC 2007 Guest Soloist, National Health Disparities Conference-Charleston, SC 2007 Assistant Director & Co-Founder of Victory Tabernacle Deliverance Temple Psalms Dance Ministries-Orangeburg, SC
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