My Journey
Tonia Dillard Cannady loved to listen to music, sing, practice directing, and "bang" on the piano as a child. She comes from a family that is full of musical talent. Tonia is the daughter of Bishop and Mrs. Earley Dillard of Martinsville Virginia, where her father is the pastor of Shiloh Way of the Cross Church. Tonia's passion for singing for Christ grew over the years as she sang in the choirs at Shiloh Way of the Cross in Martinsville, Virginia. She started singing in the children's choir shortly after learning to walk. Her father would preach and lead songs in the church, while her mother would direct the senior choir and lead songs as well. Witnessing her parents and other members of her family singing to lift up the Lord was an early inspiration to Tonia.
God nurtured her spiritual gift through molding her as a youth choir director and a developer of musical talent. As Tonia grew and continued to praise and worship the Lord, God placed it in her heart to acquire new musical groups. In high school and college, Tonia started gospel choirs, an apostolic student union group, and Children of the King (CK-1). Through these experiences she was moved to learn how to play the piano by ear. As Tonia's skills for playing the piano developed, she would teach others how to play the piano also. Many of Tonia's students have gone on to play for choirs of their own now, she recalls. In her hometown of Martinsville, she started a group, consisting of five young cousins between the ages of 5 and 7 years old called the Dodson V. God has given her the gift of recognizing talent and nurturing those God giving gifts. The Dodson V later went on to release a CD; sing for the Jenny Jones Show, Bobby Jones BET Gospel, Walt Disney World, Paramount's Kings Dominion, the White House for President Clinton, and the Kennedy Center for the National Speech Impairment Convention, along with many other outstanding achievements.
Tonia married Elder Eric L. Cannady on April 29, 2000, and moved to the metro Atlanta area. Her husband is also her pastor at the Atlanta Metro Way of the Cross Church in Stone Mountain, Georgia. She and her husband have two lovely children; daughter Lincia and son Christian and they too exude love for the Lord and a desire to sing. As First Lady for her church, Tonia Cannady is the minister of music, serves as lead piano player, music, and talent developer. Tonia has organized a youth choir, the Tower of Power Sanctuary Choir, and a group called "Free Spirit". In her position as the minister of music, she can clearly see that God had been developing her for such a time as this.
Tonia sang the national anthem for the NCAA tournament game while at Radford University and for several other games. Tonia also sang for the American Sports Restaurant while studying French in Brussels, Belgium at the University of Louvain-Louneauv where Warner Brothers Music recognized her talents. She was offered a secular contract, but passed on the opportunity, as she remains fully committed to singing for the Lord. Tonia decided to wait for her appointed time. While at George Mason University, where she received a Bachelors of Arts Degree in Government & Politics and a Masters Degree in Public Administration, she sang "His Eye is on the Sparrow" for BET Soundstage, 95.5 FM and Heaven 1580 AM, and won several talent shows. Tonia sang with Victor Johnson and Free of Maryland. She was a solo performer for the GMWA showcase. She performed for the Southern Gospel Association music festival in VA. Tonia has also performed on Norwegian Cruise Lines, NCL Wind and NCL Norway. As well, Tonia performed before recording artists such as, John P. Kee and Alvin Darling.
Of her many talents, God gave Tonia the gift of songwriting. The songs display her experiences over the years. She endured different hardships and trials in her young adult life. Tonia developed a longing for a place that has no more dying, troubles, or pain (Heaven) as she witnessed the death of her paternal grandparents, uncle, and God sister, all within four years while attending college. Through these and other life's experiences, Tonia knows for herself that God is there through your deepest hurts and pains. Even when you feel or think you are alone, God is there!
Tonia's music is a door to communicate to others a message of hope in Christ Jesus. Her music displays her life's experiences. Her prayer has been to one-day share her life's experience with the world through songs in which the Lord has given her and that souls will be blessed. Tonia hopes that through the Lord guiding her path and singing through her, His glory will be revealed, people will draw closer to Him, and be saved. Through the years Tonia has developed an intimate relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ, and with conviction, Tonia states that "she is who she is today because of the guidance of the Holy Spirit".
God has allowed Tonia to work with a wonderful producer out of Nashville, Tennessee. He has produced and worked with several well-known artists such as Richard Smallwood, The Martins, and Donnie McClurkin. Today, Tonia continues to improve her craft and she is sharing her dream with you, a real blessing come true. The Lord has blessed Tonia to complete her debut CD, to be released soon.
"Come Just As You Are"
Isaiah 55
