Nickname: China / Age: 19 / School: Taylor College, Belleview

Ti’China is well-known in Wildwood, where she serves as praise and worship leader at The City Ministries. Ti’China also shares her gift of song throughout Florida and around the country.

A few of my singing accomplishments took place in Lake, Sumter, Citrus, Orange and Marion counties, as well as Ft. Lauderdale and Miami. I’ve had the distinct pleasure to sing and act at Grace Tabernacle and the Melon Patch Theater. I’ve opened up for the annual Life Skills Service Center conference of The Villages, and every year I open the National Day of Prayer with the Star Spangled Banner at the Sumter County courthouse.

At the age of 10, I flew to Washington D.C. to sing at a Les Brown charity event, then to Vidalia, Georgia to open for Luther Barnes, who was in concert. I also sang at a national gospel showcase in Lakeland. I opened for Doc McKenzie and the Highlights.

My mother started singing to me as a baby and had me sing back to her. I did my first solo in Inverness when I was 3. When my pastor found out that I could sing, he had me sing every Sunday before he got up to preach. I’ve been doing that since 1998.

My favorite thing about singing is seeing the impact that it has on people, and knowing that I have the God-given ability to make someone feel better by using my voice. My singing will always be used to bless others.

My biggest role model is my mother, Carolyn Mobley. She looks after me, she supports me, and she puts me and my siblings’ needs before her own. She has been pushing me since day one.

In the future I aspire to sing abroad in the U.K. and on Broadway. I also hope to sing the national anthem at a Super Bowl game.

The greatest lesson I have learned was from my pastor, who taught me that, “As an individual, you carry so much authority — but it’s up to you on how you use it.”

My favorite quote is, “You’ll never stand out if you try to fit in.”

My advice to others is don’t quit! Persevere. There’s only one you, so have fun, enjoy your journey and embrace being unique.