CRESCENDO FACULTY
ROBERT MARTINEZ
At the tender age of 10, Roberto (Robert) Martinez embarked on a fascinating music career that would expose his God-given talents to audiences all over the world. Beginning with playing the drums at his church in Houston, in middle school he advanced to percussion instruments in the school orchestra and band. By age 14, he tackled the piano—with amazing results.
Throughout high school, he was involved in a jazz ensemble that performed at the Midwest International Band & Orchestra Conference in 1996-97. That same year he was awarded Downbeat Magazine’s High School Composer of the Year and received a full music scholarship to FloridaInternationalUniversity in Miami, Florida.
During college years, Robert developed his own personal style by working with numerous jazz artists, like Jon Faddis, Danilo Perez, Nestor Torres, Paquito D'Rivera, and Ndugu Chandler. Once college was completed, the next three years he served as Music Director for
NewCommunityBaptistChurch, and then three years as Worship Director at GulfMeadowsChurch, both in Houston.
When Marcos Witt, Spanish Pastor at LakewoodChurch, began to search for a gifted musician, he wisely selected Robert Martinez. For four years they traveled the globe, ministering in huge, packed stadiums. Three arrangements on Marcos’ album, "Alegria," were composed by Robert, winning for him the 2005 Grammy for Best Spanish Christian Album of the Year.
Traveling in 21 nations, he has skillfully accompanied many international Christian artists on the keyboard, such as: Danilo Montero, Coalo Zamorano, and Alex Campos. Even while arranging and producing over 20 albums, this young musician always found time to participate in massive evangelism outreaches with men like Luis Palau and Franklin Graham, and has frequently appeared on Daystar and TBN Television.
Since 2006, Robert has served as Music Director at Christian Tabernacle in Houston. But the past year, more traveling engagements have been added to his busy schedule with another international recording artist, Lilly Goodman. Though music is deeply embedded in the very heart and soul of Robert, he is the loving husband of a beautiful wife, Alicia, and the proud father of two adoring daughters, Kayla, 8 years old, and Alexis, 10 months old. In his spare time, you’ll probably find him at a Rockets game.
Raelynn Parkin
Raelynn Parkin and her husband Paul founded Bride Song Ministries in 2007. She has been prophesying on the piano since she was 10, and has written and composed many musical works and worship songs under the leading of the Holy Spirit. In 2000, Raelynn became a founding member of the worship team at Houston Revival Center, and in February 2002, stepped into the Worship Leader position there where she was ordained in March 2003. She has completed her first book, “Lessons from One Worship Leader to Another,” and has recorded the Unlocking Worship cd series as part of an overall worship bible study, and is beginning her second book, “The Heavenly Worship Room.” They recently were invited to Cape Town, South Africa where they ministered and taught worshippers in a prophetic conference and felt the calling to continue their ministry there. For more information about their ministry visit their website at www.bridesongministries.org.
Ruth Abigail Smith
Ruth Abigail Smith and is a graduate of Furman University with degrees in the both Communications Studies and Music. Ms. Smith began studying piano at the age of six and continued until the age of thirteen. After about a 4 year hiatus she resumed her piano studies as a senior in high school and within a year was prepared to audition for several music programs. Ms. Smith has always had a love for music and particularly a love for serving God with the gift that she was given. She has been "privileged to serve Him beyond her ability only to find that when God is at work, there is nothing that cannot be done."
James Shockley
James Shockley completed a three year program as a Music Major from Jackson College of Ministries in Jackson, Mississippi as well as an Associate of Arts from San Jacinto College North as a Music Major. He has taught piano lessons for most of the past thirty years, most recently at Family Christian Academy in the Houston area. James and wife, Tracey have been directors and overseers of the Music & Worship ministry of Christian Tabernacle for twenty five years. They have also conducted choir and praise team clinics and workshops and worship services for the last thirty years. Mr. Shockley can be contacted by phone: 713-453-7000 x229 or by email: jshoc79@yahoo.com
Talitha Taft
Ms. Talitha Taft is a highly knowledgeable, creative, and resourceful musician and keyboard artist hailing from Houston, Texas. She has served at various churches such as Gulf Meadows Baptist Church, Progressive New Hope Baptist Church, and St. Agnes Baptist Church, teaching musical and vocal arrangements alongside Pastor Russell Thompson. Talitha is now the music director for the Voices of Refuge Choir and keyboardist for the worship band at the City of Refuge Church in Houston, Texas. Talitha also has been affiliated with a variety of professional bands including Best Kept Secret, Positive State of Mind, and The Next Level Band. Talitha has co-produced cd projects and performed with recording artists like Karen Clark Sheard, Brenda Waters, and Donnie McKlurkin just to name a few.
Monique J. Smith
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