By Morgan Mizell

The Natchez Democrat

NATCHEZ — Nearly a year ago, Kaliyah Dunmore recorded her single release, “Destined for Greatness,” and the Natchez High School student plans to keep music ministry in her life when she goes to college.

“I plan to go to Louisiana State University (LSU) and major in psychology,” Dunmore said. “I do plan to continue to have the music as a part of my life.”

Dunmore said that she does not consider herself a performer, despite her opening for various names in gospel and contemporary Christian music.

“I don’t like to put a label on what I do,” Dunmore said. “I think of the music as worship music, and I don’t want to exclude anyone from my music.”

Dunmore recalls singing her whole life.

“I feel that I have been called to do a specific thing,” Dunmore said. “I am to let my light, the light He gives, shine through me to bless others.”

Dunmore, with the help of others in her church, Word of Faith Ambassadors Worship Center, recorded her first single release last spring, and plans to do more.

“My grandmother, Patricia Dunmore, has been the most influential person in my life,” Dunmore said. “Also, my Word of Faith family has inspired me to be who God’s calling me to be.”

Dunmore felt the calling to live the Christian life at a young age, but her call into the ministry of music is more recent.

“I would write poetry and lyrics all of the time and sing them,” Dunmore said. “I thought about it, and I questioned what I was doing. Later, I collaborated with a few church members and the single was recorded. It was an awesome experience.”

Dunmore is unsure about going any further into ministry at this point.

“I have to wait on the Lord and see what he says about any other kind of ministry,” Dunmore said. “I think we all preach, daily, even if we do not think we do, but I would have to feel lead in the direction of being a pastor before I pursed it.”

Dunmore is grateful for her church family.

“I love my church family,” Dunmore said. “God has surrounded me with people who push me to be greater; people who push me to be better; people who push me to walk into what God has for me without fear, but with faith. He surrounded me with men and women who exemplify the true image of God.”

Dunmore has performed with several artists including, Shirley Caesar, Tasha Cobbs, Alexis Spight and gospel rapper Da Truth.

Some of those artists, she said, still have copies of her single, and there has been some discussion of contacting record labels.

“Meeting the artists that I have has been amazing,” Dunmore said. “I have looked up to these people and they were so friendly and took pictures with me, and I so enjoyed watching how they minister and how they have not lost their identities in process of ministering.”

Dunmore believes other teens, who are interested in following a calling into music ministry or any ministry, should trust God.

“Don’t lose who you are, and don’t be intimidated,” Dunmore said. “God has a plan for your life, and a call upon it. It is up to you to accept it and walk into what God had for you. He has not given us a spirit of fear, but one of power, and of love and of a sound mind. Be bold and be the light that He has called you to be on this Earth.”

Dunmore plans to record more music, and is currently in the writing phase of the process. She hopes to get back into the studio soon and record a full-length album.

Her music is available through Cdbaby.com and Google play.