Today we’d like to introduce you to Wendi Henderson Wyatt
Hi Wendi, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I was born and raised in Rochester, New York. I was raised in a musical household. My dad was a Minister of Music at our local church and my siblings and I all sang and played instruments.
I began writing as a little girl. I wrote my first song at age 10. By the time I was a teenager, I was helping train choirs, teach music at church, and accompany my Dad on piano.
I attended HIgh School at School of the Arts in Rochester. I was a vocal major and was treated like an instrumental major as well. In addition to singing, I played piano and was in the band while in high school.
After graduating high school, I studied two years as a vocal major at Tougaloo College, an HBCU in Tougaloo, Mississippi.
By 1989, I began journey into artistry. I started producing headshots, photoshoots, promo packs, and demos. I even had a biographical sketch that included cassette tapes. People don’t know about the cassettes LOL.
From there, started diving into praise and worship in the early ’90s. I began blazing a trail and establishing a worship culture in several places that were unfamiliar. By the end of the ’90s, I really settled into the avenue of worship with training worship leaders and workshops. This is where I really started compiling worship music for Body of Christ.
I did my first live recording in 1999 in Oklahoma City. My second live recording was in 2007, a project titled “Come Stand In The Rain”. I’ve done several recordings and singles since then. I did a Hymns project that I love. It features just hymns and prayer. with me and my musical partner in crime Dr. John Paul McGee, who is a musical genius.
I released my last full album in 2022 titled “My Heart Is Toward You”. It’s produced by multi=time Award winning producer Dana Sorey.
I’ve had the opportunity to engage in several wonderful experiences along the way. This includes the opportunity to minister internationally in places like England and Romania. Romania was the site of my first international assignment. There have really been some wonderful experiences along the way.
I also serve as a pastor along with my husband, Overseer Gerald Wyatt. We planted Body of Christ Worship Center in Columbus, GA in 2004. In November, we celebrate 20 years of ministry. All of this shapes who I am, how I show up in the world, and how I show up in musical spaces.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Two things come to mind.
Being an independent artist has been quite the challenge. It’s a two-edged sword. On one hand, you have the freedom what you can envision without restraint. That is a great space. The freedom is nice. However, without having the machine of a major record label with marketing, radio placement, and all of those kinds of things can be very challenging. It can be difficult making your way in the industry without that assistance.
As an independent, you don’t always have the financial backing you desire. You become limited by the capital you have access to. Sometimes, your efforts and projects can be impacted as a result of the lack of resources.
The other challenge that many can relate to is the WAIT. Waiting until it’s your time is a challenge. It takes work to keep your head down, stay encouraged, and perfecting your craft until it’s clear that God has prepared a space for you to be experienced. Waiting for what people consider to be “The Big Break” is quite challenging.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I have become known for praise and worship. I am also known for my teaching on the subject matter, likely more than I realize. I’m also known for my flow as a worship leader. Many don’t get to see me as a worship leader, but while I’m in artistic mode, the worship leader comes out. For people who don’t often get to observe me in an official worship capacity, my artistry becomes a study of how to approach ministry with the heart of a worship leader.
I work with the heart of a worship leader and showcase how to invite God into what some would deep to be just “guest psalmist” moments. I love to demonstrate how to transform a “guest” moment into a mini praise and worship moment. Showcasing how to bring people along for the journey is what I’m known for.
In addition, I’ve become known for how my relationship with God is seen and expressed in those moments of ministry.
I’m also known for being a vocal coach. I’ve been a vocal coach for nearly twenty years and teaching piano longer than that. My vocal tips are increasing in popularity as I share them on social media.
In 2020, during the pandemic, I began doing vocal masterclasses. Those have been a blast.
My passion is to help people discover and embrace their God-given sound as opposed to trying to sound like others. We all have our own sound and are responsible for releasing our own sound.
Networking and finding a mentor can have such a positive impact on one’s life and career. Any advice?
A mentor does not have to be someone that you know personally or have personal access to. You can glean from afar, depending on what you need coaching in. You can glean from a distance.
The kindness of God is that He allows people to pass before us who are operating in a space that we sense we are called to. Sometimes, it’s a space we hadn’t seen before they showed up. We sensed the Lord speaking to us in an area but we’ve never seen it, so we think we could be crazy or thinking too big. And then, right on time, the Lord allows access to someone who is walking in this space. He shows us that it’s legal and lawful. This thing REALLY exists in the Earth and there’s someone who you can watch and study. If God allows, you’ll be able to speak to them and He may orchestrate a meeting with those people.
God will allow you to glean and gain as much access as He will allow.
For instance, if your call is to lead worship, if there’s a nearby conference for worship, find yourself in those spaces. Sit in those atmospheres. Soak up the wisdom. Seek out opportunities to speak with these people. Sometimes mentors are revealed not in the panels and special guests, sometimes it’s in those who are lesser known who are in those spaces. Networking in that regard is helpful. Iron sharpens iron. Look for spaces with people who are doing what you’d like to do in spaces of excellence.
Contact Info:
- Website: http://www.wendihendersonwyatt.com
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/wendihwyatt
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WendiHendersonWyatt
- Other: https://tiktok.com/wendihwyatt21
