Because music lasts a lifetime...
ABOUT US
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Sing specials
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Sing in the choir
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Direct singing
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Play piano
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Create singing groups
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Compose music
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Play instrumentals (i.e. Violin, Mandolin, Piano, Guitar, Accordion, and Bass Guitar.)
Students, ages 8yrs and up can attend without parent supervision. Students under the age of 8yrs will need to be accompanied by an adult during their time on campus.
For questions about who can attend, please email us at sofa.org or call 225.281.3724
Gospel Singers of America is the only school in America built solely for the purpose of teaching gospel music. Because GSA has its own campus, it is able to operate at a much lower cost. These savings are not only passed down to our students but also to our donors who are empowered to help more students.
GSA, like other schools, has students placed in various classes based on the students age and ability. We carefully craft our lessons to meet each of our students individual needs.
Students will find their experience at GSA to be a memorable one. From our beach front view to our one a kind staff, GSA has a place for everyone.
Just off the Mississippi Gulf Coast lies one of the jewels of Gospel Music. Gospel Singers of America (GSA) was established in 1957 to promote the education and enjoyment of gospel music. GSA trains people, young and old alike, to serve in their local church. Students are expected to go home and assist with the following:
History
For many years, Videt Polk and Bobby Burnett were a vital part of the Stamps-Baxter School of Music in Dallas, TX. This inspired their dream to have a School of their own located somewhere along the beautiful Mississippi Gulf Coast.
At the beginning, close to a city-wide singing school in Bogalusa, Louisiana on Friday night, July 20, 1956, they began to raise money and get the charter member of Gospel Singers of America, Inc. which was soon to become the largest Gospel Singing organization in America.
Property was bought in Pass Christian in the fall of 1956 and the first session of Gospel Singers of America School of Gospel Music was held in the summer of 1957 in the one old stately home that then stood on this location. In 1958 the two story girl's dormitory was added followed by the snack bar and laundry in 1959; an auditorium in 1960; a cafeteria and 13 practice rooms 1961 and in the fall of 1967, the two story brick building for the boy's dorm was added. Some time later the present office, classroom and porch was added.
On August 29, 2005, Hurricane Katrina slammed in the Gulf Coast causing unprecedented devastation for miles and miles. Pass Christian received a direct hit. We are so thankful that God chose to spare GSA, but there was extensive damage to the interior of the buildings.
Since that time literally thousands of volunteers from all over the United States and Canada have helped to rebuild, restore and improve the facilities. To God be the glory. We are continuing the dream and purpose of Gospel Singers of America.
Board Members
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Glen Taylor, President
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Tracy Taylor, Principal
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Patsy Pannel, Treasurer
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Gilbert Emerson
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Jana Keith
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Chris Mitchell
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Noah Taylor
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Tori Taylor
Our Teachers
Piano and Flute Teacher
Jennifer Ross was born and raised in Indiana and Michigan. After driving her family crazy with her love of music - whether playing flute in band, taking piano lessons, or singing non-stop around the house - she majored in music performance beginning at Pensacola Christian College and finishing at Siena Heights University in Adrian, Michigan. She has been married to her husband, Charles Ross, for almost 26 years and they have been serving the Lord together at Gonzales Baptist Temple for most of those years. Between playing piano for the choir (and co-directing), working with Gonzales Baptist Academy kids in music (instrumental, vocal, and piano), and teaching around 25 private lessons per week, she stays fairly busy. The highlights of her year are the bi-annual production of a Christmas Cantata at her home church and her time spent each summer teaching at Gospel Singers of America. She has been teaching there since 2011, both teaching private lessons and teaching the beginner class. Teaching music to the next generation is her passion and seeing her students serve Christ with their music is the most fulfilling reward she could imagine.
Daniel G. Driskell is a musician and teacher in Mobile, Alabama. Brother Daniel is the pianist at Government St. Baptist Church and owns the Full Scale School of Music in Mobile. Brother Daniel earned his music degrees from the University of South Alabama and Florida State University. Every summer for many years, he has been a student and then a teacher at Gospel Singers of America. Brother Daniel teaches private lessons at Gospel Singers of America on any instrument a student brings to him. He has been blessed with many wonderful friends, teachers, and family members. "Praise God from whom all blessings flow"
Multi-Instrumentalist Teacher
Theory and Piano Teacher
Tori A. Taylor was born and raised in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Her passion for music started at the young age of 5yrs when she started taking private piano lessons. She continued taking private lessons until she started teaching privately herself at the age of 15. She continues to teach about 15 private lessons a week while also teaching elementary music at a private school in Baton Rouge. She graduated from Louisiana State University with her Bachelor in Music Education. She started teaching at Gospel Singers of America in 2011, and continues to teach our Advance Theory Class, Intermediate Classes, and private voice lessons. She is very passionate about teaching and encouraging individuals to serve in the music ministry at their church. She says, “I know I cannot help every church with their music ministry, but I know that my students can!” Teaching music to the next generation is what she loves to do. Ms. Tori also has a musical heritage with the Founder of Gospel Singers of America, Bro. Bobby Burnett, being her grandfather.
Samantha Quave is from Saint Amant, Louisiana. She attends Gonzales Baptist Temple where she plays second piano for her church. She attended Gonzales Baptist Academy for the entirety of her elementary, middle, and high school years. During her middle and high school years, she was able to win awards in various music and stage events, including piano, vocal, and sign language. She continued her music studies at William Carey University in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, as a music therapy major with an emphasis on piano. At William Carey University, Samantha is a member of her university’s auditioned choir, The Carey Chorale, as well as Oratorio Choir, the piano ensemble, and Cary Carillon (to her great delight!). Samantha plans to finish her internship and graduate in August of 2019. At Gospel Singers of America Samantha assist in the upper theory classes and teacher in the Beginner Theory Class in the afternoons.
Piano Teacher
Voice Teacher
Dr. Carline Waugh is a Jamaican born soprano who is praised for her ability to mesmerize audiences. As a powerful singing actor, Dr. Waugh continues to thrill audiences around the world. She has given recent performances in Russia, Finland, Italy, Austria, the United States, and the Caribbean.
Dr. Waugh has sung the lead role of Arlene Fox in the premier of the opera Buffalo Soldiers, and Ermia in Sogno, based on A Midsummer Night's Dream. Her other recent roles include Gretel from Humperdinck's Hansel and Gretel, Liú from Turandot, Zerlina from Don Giovanni, Valencienne from The Merry Widow, Polly from Die Dreigroschenoper and Gianetta from The Gondoliers.
Her concert repertoire includes André Previn's Honey and Rue, Barber's Knoxville Summer of 1915, Gershwin’s Porgy and Bess, Dubois’ Seven Last Words of Christ, Handel’s Messiah, Mozart’s Requiem in D Minor, Brahms Ein Deutsches Requiem, J.S. Bach’s Magnificat in D Major.
Dr. Waugh currently serves Marshall University and the Southern region as a performer, and teaching artist.