This lyrical thoroughbred goes by the name of Ayanna Charlene. Born Ayanna Charlene Atkins on June 20th in Sacramento, Ca. Her parents knew their baby was a performer at heart. They enrolled their daughters in ballet and tap-dancing classes. Ayanna gained a majority of her musical nurturing and development from her father (Jeff Atkins) who toured and performed keyboards with Warner Bros recording artists Club Nouveau in 1987-89. Ayanna was shy as a child so it amazed her mother when she signed herself up for a talent show at a summer camp she was enrolled in on the CSUS campus. Just 11 years old, she sang live for the first time in front of hundreds of students introducing her talent. Ayanna fell in musical bliss when she was introduced to the tenor saxophone in Jr. High, where she practiced with her band class for two years. Ayanna later joined the youth choir at Unity Missionary Baptist Church in Sacramento, Ca. And traveled to Bakersfield, Ca to sing at a Baptist Convention. Ayanna also attended highschool at VAPAC (Visual and Performing Arts Charter) in East Sacramento to perfect her craft. There she would take opera alongside all of her required classes and different styles of dance. Conflict with the district and Sacramento County Office of Education, would later cause the school to close down. But this didn’t stop this young star from shining. In 2007, she fell in love with the art of modeling and started her own modeling and promotions team called Box Of Chocolates. Together they helped promote her first single “Love Letter” written and vocally arranged by herself. After opting out of a long and indecent management contract, she met a local saxophonist (Shawn Raiford) who asked her to be a new addition to his Band. She adds her mezzo-soprano sound with a 3 1/2 octave vocal range and the show must go on! Opening for headlining comedians like: Cocoa Brown, Cortney Gee, and Charles Walden to name a few. She still gigs with them today performing at several local venues with infamous bands like Saxual and 3N1 to name a few. Her stage presence has an original (Mary J. Blige) vibe. She continues to wow audiences today. Ayanna recently added two back-up singers/dancers (TheLyonsSisters) to maximize her performance. Together the three of them add a harmonical hip-hop twist that leaves crowds on their feet! Ayanna Charlene is now working alongside some of Sacramento’s most talented producers. With the help of new artist developer/mentor and legendary DJ Supe. ( Music Choice) (103.5 The Bomb) One of Northern California's most reputable Deejay's. In December 2012, Ayanna was nominated for 3 of Sacramento's 13th annual Sounds of Soul Awards. After an amazing number of votes from her growing fanbase, she ended up taking home "Best R&B Performer". The award was presented by the legendary Howard Hewitt and R&B Singer-Songwriter Michel'le. Ayanna recently released a 10-song Mixtape titled “Misses Ambitious”. The mixtape includes her smoking hot single "Weekend Rendezvous" Now on iTunes. The Mixtape is also on LiveMixtapes.com, HotNewHipHop.com and Datpiff just to name a few. When asked: Why call yourself “Misses Ambitious”? She shares stories of how life’s trials and tribulations can bring fourth discouragement. Through it all, music has been her therapy, why not let it become someone else’s for a change? Ayanna considers herself committed to her own progress she says: "Its almost like a marriage." There is no stopping this soulful songstress. She Blogs: “How selfish of me to keep my talent to myself. I wouldn’t be able to sleep good at night knowing I’ve been through it all, and didn’t make music in hopes of helping women who are going through the same things! I represent all the women who DREAM BIG and OVERCOME STRUGGLE. Ayanna has high hopes of putting together a phenomenal "All Female" band and is currently working with notable producers and engineers to put together a successfull EP titled: "The Struggle" with an anticipated release in late 2013