BIO
Deena Carey is known as one of the most popular, anointed gospel artist to
come out of the small city of Akron, Ohio over many years. She was born in Queens, NY,
to the late Sallie Carey and the late William Forrest of Brooklyn and later
relocated to Ohio. Deena started out her music career captivating her listeners
with her profound vocals and energy as a youth. This multi-talented force is
driven by her inner spirit pulling her to purpose,
spreads a message of hope and love to all who come in contact with her. As a shy
little girl in the 70’s and 80’s she could boldly state, “I was born to do what I do,”
as she exercised her gifting and began by stepping out of her shell to dare to dream.
Described as a “huge voice" trapped in a small body, also nicknamed, “Lil Retha,” she
paved a pathway locally and abroad singing in choirs, performing skits,
singing solos a'cappella, and being the first youth of Akron to bring
ballet/modern dance to the local churches who
accepted it as a form of worship to God while using her skills to bring tears
with her powerful voice.
Travels
Given the opportunity to open for many professional recording arts in 1990’s such as Yolanda Adams of then Tribute Records, The Winans of then Quest Records, and Kenton Rogers of then Blackberry Records. In 1992, more opportunities came her way.
Deena joined an organization that mentored youth, “Because He Cares,” traveling to various schools, to Michigan, various cities in Ohio, as vocalist, singing Negro Spirituals in performed Black History skits themed "Excellence in Pride. Singing in prisons, schools and churches locally and abroad from New Jersey, Virginia, Texas, to Florida, She continued her endeavor of music by recording background vocals for upcoming artists, landing the opportunity to be a featured vocalist with Bishop John H. Carey, artist Larry Gibson and others, amateur performer on Bobby Jones Gospel, (1992, 1996-97) and featured vocalist in 2000 and 2006, for the Akron's Gospel Meets Symphony with positive reviews.
originals
Deena Carey is a member of BMI, with a publishing company:
MATchare Music Publishing.
She has written songs, poetry and books awaiting timing to be published.
She manages Essence In Design as an event planner, and a free lance photographer, when not traveling to sing.
This season, Deena has settled into being
an independent artist and writer,
with welcomed opportunities having
arrived, after years of pruning
herself, re-vamping, polishing her skills, and never giving up, she embarks upon new upcoming projects on the horizon with excitement..
STAGE
A 1983 graduate of the Performing Arts Career Cluster
of John R. Buchtel High School, Deena studied music, dance, and acting.
She proved to be the most talented female of her class.,
as many witnessed her performances in the stage musicals; West Side Story as
a dancer, then lead role and singer in Raisin’. Awarded a theatre scholarship from
the University of Science & Arts of Oklahoma and the Career Cluster Award of her class.
Before heading off to college to continue her studies in the arts, she took on the
lead role in an original script, A Ghost of a Chance, by graduates Tracy W. Tupman,
the writer and directed by comedian and actor, Ted Lyde, of Akron University.
As a student, she furthered her studies by participating in theater competitions,
learning more on set design, lighting and sound, costume designs, acting class,
voice, directing, and music theory. Her studies would later be interrupted by
a serious illness of her mother, which forced her to return home.
Upon returning, Deena was discovered by a popular gospel playwright
and author of the Akron Community, the late Jewelene Banks Nelson, who
unknowingly rekindled Deena’s acting ability through her heart
felt scripts, and directing with her choice of performers.
Giving tear jerking performances in leads roles in Octavia and I’m Coming Home
in 1992, Everyday People and Faces In 1993, all of Hunts Classix Productions ,
then in 1997 exercising her own writing skills and directed her own musical,
called This Man. In 2004 she again was a cast member
to take the lead female role in the sold out production of
Somebody’s Calling My Name by Jewelene of Jewel Box Productions
with great reviews. In 2005 she was casted in a supporting
role in On Judgement Day by Clark Entertainment Group, a production of the late Randy Clark.
After responsibilities of living life that came with becoming a divorced, single mother,
in 2010 Deena relocated her family to Charlotte, NC, returning momentarily to Ohio in 2011 to
join a cast playing a supporting role in the film Caprice,
written and directed by James Hinton III.
Later in 2011 Deena was a participating opener at the Annual Community Awards Show at the
historical Livingstone College of Salisbury, North Carolina for an actor/artist Danny Clay
of Tyler Perry stage plays.
recognition
Crowned the very first Akron Teen Christian in 1981, by the Akron Vicinity Baptist Ministers Wives Association of Akron, Ohio, with a well performed original skit and recorded song,
this is where Deena began her long road as a performer. Singing in her church choirs, gave her confidence and practice with an audience, then joining her high school Contemporary Choral Choir, and the LEON Miller Ensemble. Adding ballet, tap, and modern jazz dance to her many talents, for many years, she labored with limitations, and very little support in the music industry as an unsung, unknown artist. Deena continued opening up for various artist, recording back ground vocals, performing solo concerts, MC of musicals, participating in choirs and groups concerts in her community and surrounding areas along with her theater performances, only to find location and who you know, is key to mainstream for upcoming artists. Not without this opposition through her journey, she continued to work. Deena lost contract negotiation opportunities with representatives of Varity Records and Light Records due to domestic issues. Persevering, with much effort, she attempted again and turned away by yet another record company. She then began to pursue other paths.
In the meantime, certain individuals of her community supported her and appreciated her sharing her gifting by some acknowledgements ~
Upcoming film by James Hinton III
~ of her work in music and arts as well as ministry. Noted the proud recipient of the Female Vocalist of the Year/Contemporary Gospel – Adult Award by the National Office of Bobby Jones Award for Gospel Music Excellency in 1992, this song writer and songstress entered the mainstream gospel community with a debut demo CD in 2003.
Cleveland, Ohio activity includes 2003-04, appearing with great response at the Radio One promoted Detroit Gospel Extravaganza, a live broadcast on WABQ, opening act for Melba Moore, LaShaun Pace, and Karen Clark Sheard at the Key Centre Grand Ballroom. Also, Cleveland’s Gund Arena Family Night for headliner - with then Warner Bros. Contemporary Christian recording artist Kristi Starling. One of the participating openers for headliner Marvin Sapp at the “New Day In Hough” Musical in the ward of the late Councilwoman Fannie Lewis.
Who We Are at deenacarey.com
The Music Goup
MATchare' Music
The Music Goup
At deenacarey.com, your experience here will come from various musicians samples and Deena's
own creativity and blogs on
different subjects.
Team
MATchare' Music
The Music Goup
deenacarey.com was founded by a group of music lovers who wanted to create a space for people to come together and share their passion for music. We started with a small community and have grown into a thriving platform for music enthusiasts from everywhere.
MATchare' Music
MATchare' Music
MATchare' Music
Fact: Publishing named after her children as a reminder why Deena Carey never gave up on her dreams .
