Teri Simmons With Renewed Faith Tragedy can sometimes lead to joy, and that’s the case in the birth of the gospel group, “Teri Simmons With Renewed Faith”. Formed by Simmons with a double handful of choir-involved friends, in the wake of a devastating fire which destroyed her family’s entire home and possessions, this sweet-sounding group saw her first through that tragedy, and has gone on since that birth in 1988 to ever-greater things. First is was serving as their church’s special chorus, who has over the years have expended into a full Saturday night “Gospel Extravaganzas’ including the entire congregation. Next came performing at other churches, colleges, and community events, such as Foothill College’s Black History program in 1994, the University of San Francisco’s successful gospel program in 1995, and the Faith Presbyterian Church’s Afternoon of Jazz in 2001. More importantly, the group members are dedicated to serving the Lord through their musical ministries and have regular musicals at various homeless shelters and elder care facilities. Their refreshing sound ministers to all who have the opportunity to hear them: the sound of With Renewed Faith balances midway between tradition soul gospel and contemporary, inspirational music--calm with a pinch of spice, and lots of variation from song to song. All songs are Simmons’ originals and feature messages of triumph and hope. With Renewed Faith just recently completed a recording project that was released in late spring 2005 and a separate live recording of a Christmas musical, Because of Love, written and/or arranged by Teri Simmons, along with members of several Bay Area churches that join them for this annual event. Their prayer is that you receive a rich blessing from the musical selections they render. Teri Simmons, the Music Director at St. Paul AME Church in Berkeley, California, is a native of Oakland, California. For over 30 years she has provided music program leadership for many churches throughout the Bay Area and has written over 200 compositions. Teri has been a workshop presenter, has traveled throughout the United States as guest organist and pianist for many choirs and artists, and has received numerous awards and certificates. She also has produced three sound recording featuring her original compositions performed by her chorale, With Renewed Faith. She attended Oakwood College, Huntsville, Alabama, where she majored in Business Administration and Music.