Teressa Diane Teressa is an emerging Gospel singer and songwriter, whose roots sink into the depths of the south. Teressa possesses an authentic metropolitan sound, coupled with simple truth and passion, with uncomplicated melody. Southern Gospel and R&B music were a strong and consistent presence in Teressa’s home, and she easily gravitated to both sounds. Those very different styles of music, as well as a strong presence in church, helped shape Teressa’s musical style. “I strive to create music that makes me feel good and others can relate to. I am attracted to harmony and anything with a smooth, mellow groove. Gospel music is my pedigree, but R&B music is my flair. When they come together, a magical sound is birthed that moves from traditional to innovative. For me, bridging the two creates music medicine for the masses.” Born Teressa Diane Irby, in Birmingham, Alabama, and one of three girls, Teressa announced to her family at age 6 that she would be a singer and a songwriter, when she grew up. It was then that Teressa began her musical journey by singing in her grandmother’s church. “I knew, at a very young age, that I was called to the music ministry.” Teressa worked to develop her talent by joining her school choir and formed the family Gospel group, The Irby Family. The Irby Family performed in local churches throughout their community, until the family relocated to Boston, Massachusetts. In Boston, Teressa banded with her sisters, to form the all-female R&B singing group, Impulse. The group began touring Boston, New York and the New England region, performing at festivals and events. They participated in many competitions, taking 1st Place at First Night Boston and, notably, 1st Place winners of Amateur Night at the Apollo in New York City. The group went on to open for many national recording artists such as Carly Simon, Cece Penniston, Marky Mark and the Funky Bunch, Rob Base, Silk, 112, Dru Hill, Bobby Jones of Bobby Jones Gospel, John P. Kee, and Take 6, before disbanding. Now a solo artist, with strong Gospel roots calling, Teressa is developing her soon-to-be-released album, Epic Worship. “It has been quite a journey,” she says, “many detours along the way, but my fire for the love of music, never burned out.” Teressa is excited about putting a new and unique sound on today’s Gospel music. Building on the familiar sound of Southern Gospel and putting her own spin of R&B, Urban and Contemporary styles on this genre, Teressa is sure Epic Worship will inspire, uplift, entertain and take the world by storm.