Teneia Sanders was born and raised in Jackson, Mississippi, and music has always played a vital role in her life.She has loved singing for as long as she can recall. She still remembers the first time she was asked to sing a solo performance in her church's choir as a child, something she'd been hoping to do for months but never asked about because she felt too shy. She began singing at the age of 10 and quickly realized that music was her passion. In high school, she participated in several choral ensembles and became a member of the R&B group 601 in 1996. Then, in 2002, Teneia received a scholarship to Holmes Community College from her High School Music Director and mentor Doug Browning, where she sang in the school’s choral ensembles and show choir. After two years of performing within HCC groups, Teneia decided to pursue her dream of becoming a professional musician. She quickly caught the attention of Jackson’s music lovers: her self-titled EP of 2004 garnered compliments from Herman Snell, of the Jackson Free Press, who described her as “a cross between Ani DiFranco and Aretha Franklin.” She has had a similar effect on Louisville’s music scene since moving here; after playing in the 2006 Muse Fest she caught the attention of WFPK’s Laura Shine, who simply and accurately described an effect that has been felt by many fans: “She blew me away…What an amazing voice.” Since then, Teneia has played on WFPK’s Live Lunch, collaborated with Louisville hip-hop bands Nappy Roots (on “Dreamin’”) and Code Red (on “Addicted”), and opened for Canadian musician Luke Doucet. Her first full album, Soul Catcher, produced by William Bartley of Slackshop, was featured by CDBaby.com as one of their albums of the week in April of 2007. Currently living and performing in Louisville, Ky, Teneia is quickly making a name for herself as an up-and-coming artist to keep an eye—and ear—on. Her angelic voice, unique guitar rhythms, and moving lyrics have helped to solidify her growing reputation as a truly gifted artist, one whose dedication is as strong as her music.