Oh Happy Day!
Taria started singing with her family at the age of 3 yrs. old under the direction of her grandmother and great aunts. She was introduced to vocal harmony at a young age by participating in yearly Christmas events, and quickly fell in love with music. Her journey has so much depth and history, it is no wonder she has become the inspirational vocalist she is today. Her spiritual background cannot be excluded, Taria is the daughter of the Rev. Tara Elliott and Joel Elliott and was raised in the church.
As a child, she had the opportunity to sing in the church choir where she would have her first studio recording experience at just 9 years of age. Taria rendered her gift as background vocalist as well as lead vocalist on The Seeds of Faith's first project “We Have Come To Lift Him Up”, produced by IceAge Productions.
That was not the only door opened in her musical journey; Taria also began to play the violin at the age of 9. Her passion for music was so deep she never missed the opportunity to learn and develop creatively. At the age of 10 she began writing music and poetry, and loved to listen to both classical and jazz music.
As time went on, she became more involved with school music programs. At age 13 she was selected to sing The National Black Anthem “Lift Every Voice” at her school's Black History Program. Participating in multiple musicals at Central Middle School, such as “The Lion King” and “Sister Act”; prepared her for the prestigious music program at Waterloo's West High School. At West, Taria participated in Treble Clef, Concert Choir and Jazz Choir. Taria participated in many All-State music competitions for Orchestra and Choir throughout high school, and was even part of a duet that placed Division 1 under the direction of then music director, Mary Citta. Taria also sang in West High's Gospel Choir, “Voices of Unity” under the direction of Terrance Thomas.
Continuing on, she became a member of “Power of Praise” in 2010. Power of Praise sang for many church programs throughout the city of Waterloo, opening up for various Gospel Recording artist such as Keith “Wonderboy” Johnson, “Highly Favored”, Tim Woodson, and “The Aires of Harmony”. Power of Praise released their first single “Put My Trust in Thee” in 2015, introducing Taria to her current music producer, Torrence Pettye.
The Fall of 2018 she was invited to join "Witness", Christian recording artist, as a feature guest on the "God's the Boss Tour". To date they have play many shows in the Waterloo/Cedar Rapids and surrounding areas.
In 2019 TariaJaybre` and her producer Torrence had the opportunity to record professionally at the infamous Media Tech Institute in Dallas; under the direction of Grammy Nominated Recording Engineer Nagaris Johnson. She was also a featured presenter at TEGMMA (The Elite Gospel Music & Ministry Academy) 4th Annual "The Key of Gospel" Music & Ministry Awards also in Dallas Texas.
Her self titled debut album as was released January 2021. You can find it on all major streaming platforms. To help promote the album TariaJaybre` launched a tour titled "Make Jesus Famous". The tour kicked off in September 2021 and will feature other independent artist from all over the United States to help them promote their original music as well. December 2021, TariaJaybre` officially signed with Salter-Gann Universal Promotions & Management LLC a Texas based Artist Management Agency. SGU is a multi-genre management company, and Taria is their first Christian Recording Artist.
January 2022 Taria gained 3 Red Carpet Awards nominations for: Best Song of the Year/All Genre Original Female, Best Voice All Genre Female- Original & Cover, and Best Gospel/Wedding/Holiday Music. She was named a finalist in the Hallelujah Auditions top 100. The nominations kept coming in as in May of 2022 she gain 3 additional award nominations from the Josie Music Awards for: Vocalist of the Year, Artist of the Year, and Album of the Year. In September 2022, Taria was nominated for 4 Iowa Music Awards in the categories: Best Christian Artist, Best Album, Best Single, and Best Inspirational Song. October 29th it was announced that she won the Best Christian Artist category, making this her first win of the year. Taria competed in the 23rd Annual Uplifting Minds Entertainment Conference in early November 2022 and won the Vocal portion of the competition. She was named Best Vocalist of the event and is expected to receive an amazing prize package that includes production, vocal coaching, stage coaching, etc. She was chosen as a finalist in the 2023 You Gods Music Showcase in Texas.
In August 2022, TariaJaybre` officially signed with Exit136 Booking out of Oregon/California. She has begun booking events and making appearances nationwide and has landed multiple radio/public interviews. She has also been featured in her local newspaper the WCF Courier and has articles in Nashville Voyager, Country Music Express Magazine, and GCMA Exchange Magazine.
As a child, she had the opportunity to sing in the church choir where she would have her first studio recording experience at just 9 years of age. Taria rendered her gift as background vocalist as well as lead vocalist on The Seeds of Faith's first project “We Have Come To Lift Him Up”, produced by IceAge Productions.
That was not the only door opened in her musical journey; Taria also began to play the violin at the age of 9. Her passion for music was so deep she never missed the opportunity to learn and develop creatively. At the age of 10 she began writing music and poetry, and loved to listen to both classical and jazz music.
As time went on, she became more involved with school music programs. At age 13 she was selected to sing The National Black Anthem “Lift Every Voice” at her school's Black History Program. Participating in multiple musicals at Central Middle School, such as “The Lion King” and “Sister Act”; prepared her for the prestigious music program at Waterloo's West High School. At West, Taria participated in Treble Clef, Concert Choir and Jazz Choir. Taria participated in many All-State music competitions for Orchestra and Choir throughout high school, and was even part of a duet that placed Division 1 under the direction of then music director, Mary Citta. Taria also sang in West High's Gospel Choir, “Voices of Unity” under the direction of Terrance Thomas.
Continuing on, she became a member of “Power of Praise” in 2010. Power of Praise sang for many church programs throughout the city of Waterloo, opening up for various Gospel Recording artist such as Keith “Wonderboy” Johnson, “Highly Favored”, Tim Woodson, and “The Aires of Harmony”. Power of Praise released their first single “Put My Trust in Thee” in 2015, introducing Taria to her current music producer, Torrence Pettye.
The Fall of 2018 she was invited to join "Witness", Christian recording artist, as a feature guest on the "God's the Boss Tour". To date they have play many shows in the Waterloo/Cedar Rapids and surrounding areas.
In 2019 TariaJaybre` and her producer Torrence had the opportunity to record professionally at the infamous Media Tech Institute in Dallas; under the direction of Grammy Nominated Recording Engineer Nagaris Johnson. She was also a featured presenter at TEGMMA (The Elite Gospel Music & Ministry Academy) 4th Annual "The Key of Gospel" Music & Ministry Awards also in Dallas Texas.
Her self titled debut album as was released January 2021. You can find it on all major streaming platforms. To help promote the album TariaJaybre` launched a tour titled "Make Jesus Famous". The tour kicked off in September 2021 and will feature other independent artist from all over the United States to help them promote their original music as well. December 2021, TariaJaybre` officially signed with Salter-Gann Universal Promotions & Management LLC a Texas based Artist Management Agency. SGU is a multi-genre management company, and Taria is their first Christian Recording Artist.
January 2022 Taria gained 3 Red Carpet Awards nominations for: Best Song of the Year/All Genre Original Female, Best Voice All Genre Female- Original & Cover, and Best Gospel/Wedding/Holiday Music. She was named a finalist in the Hallelujah Auditions top 100. The nominations kept coming in as in May of 2022 she gain 3 additional award nominations from the Josie Music Awards for: Vocalist of the Year, Artist of the Year, and Album of the Year. In September 2022, Taria was nominated for 4 Iowa Music Awards in the categories: Best Christian Artist, Best Album, Best Single, and Best Inspirational Song. October 29th it was announced that she won the Best Christian Artist category, making this her first win of the year. Taria competed in the 23rd Annual Uplifting Minds Entertainment Conference in early November 2022 and won the Vocal portion of the competition. She was named Best Vocalist of the event and is expected to receive an amazing prize package that includes production, vocal coaching, stage coaching, etc. She was chosen as a finalist in the 2023 You Gods Music Showcase in Texas.
In August 2022, TariaJaybre` officially signed with Exit136 Booking out of Oregon/California. She has begun booking events and making appearances nationwide and has landed multiple radio/public interviews. She has also been featured in her local newspaper the WCF Courier and has articles in Nashville Voyager, Country Music Express Magazine, and GCMA Exchange Magazine.
A Blessed Voice
About Taria
1. Who is your biggest influence?
- My biggest influence is my grandmother Theresa J Lovelady. She was one of the strongest and smartest women I have ever met. My grandmother had the voice of an angel and music was very important to her. Before her death in 2014 she wasn't the most vocal but she could still sing, that's why she will forever be our "Song Bird".
2. Where would you be without music?
- Without music I would be lost. Music has and will always be a part of my soul. I am a true artist who loves the way music can be therapy. My love for music is actually what strengthened my relationship with Christ.
3. What is your ultimate goal?
-My goal is to write and record more music that can heal and make others feel good. I love to write about my relationship with God and I hope to inspire other artists through that connection.
4. Why did you sign with SGU?
-I signed with SGU because I feel like they believe in me and have my best interest at heart. I love how straightforward, thorough, and spiritual my manager Phyllis is. I appreciate her experience and knowledge in this business, it's very inspiring and challenges me at a new level. I feel like this new relationship will allow me to grow, learn, and become better overall as an independent artist.
5. What is a fun fact or story about you?
- A fun fact about me is, when I was in preschool I would trick my uncles into letting me skip school and hang out with them for the day. I missed so many days of school that the teacher showed up at our house to ask if I was ever returning. My mother was in complete shock but I'm sure her and the rest of the family had a good laugh afterwards.
6. What is your favorite quote and who is it by?
"If a man is called to be a street sweeper, he should sweep streets even as Michelangelo painted, or Beethoven composed music, or Shakespeare wrote poetry. He should sweep streets so well that all the hosts of heaven and earth will pause to say, here lived a great streetsweeper who did his job well." By Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
- My biggest influence is my grandmother Theresa J Lovelady. She was one of the strongest and smartest women I have ever met. My grandmother had the voice of an angel and music was very important to her. Before her death in 2014 she wasn't the most vocal but she could still sing, that's why she will forever be our "Song Bird".
2. Where would you be without music?
- Without music I would be lost. Music has and will always be a part of my soul. I am a true artist who loves the way music can be therapy. My love for music is actually what strengthened my relationship with Christ.
3. What is your ultimate goal?
-My goal is to write and record more music that can heal and make others feel good. I love to write about my relationship with God and I hope to inspire other artists through that connection.
4. Why did you sign with SGU?
-I signed with SGU because I feel like they believe in me and have my best interest at heart. I love how straightforward, thorough, and spiritual my manager Phyllis is. I appreciate her experience and knowledge in this business, it's very inspiring and challenges me at a new level. I feel like this new relationship will allow me to grow, learn, and become better overall as an independent artist.
5. What is a fun fact or story about you?
- A fun fact about me is, when I was in preschool I would trick my uncles into letting me skip school and hang out with them for the day. I missed so many days of school that the teacher showed up at our house to ask if I was ever returning. My mother was in complete shock but I'm sure her and the rest of the family had a good laugh afterwards.
6. What is your favorite quote and who is it by?
"If a man is called to be a street sweeper, he should sweep streets even as Michelangelo painted, or Beethoven composed music, or Shakespeare wrote poetry. He should sweep streets so well that all the hosts of heaven and earth will pause to say, here lived a great streetsweeper who did his job well." By Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.