ThaHitz Magazine Presents…Music and Beyond New Single: “Wait” by Alicia Dent

Alicia was born on a beautiful December day to the parents of Brandon and Alice Dent. She was dedicated to the Lord as a baby and has since been an ambassador for God, particularly in the field of Music. She began singing as a toddler, and by the age of three she became the “call to worship” singer for Children’s Church at the Ypsilanti SDA church in Michigan.

At the age of six, Alicia was invited, and became one of the first African American youth to minister on 3ABN’s Kids’ Time Praise TV. Her performances are still aired today. Alicia began piano lessons in her home taught by her mom, at the age of three and continued these lessons under the guidance of Mrs. Alice Strawbridge after starting elementary school at Peterson- Warren Academy – an Adventist institution in Inkster, Michigan. She also studied flute and was invited to join the high school band while still in elementary grades. As a fifth grade student, Alicia became one of the youngest pianists for the High School Choir. She also plays for her church service and provides special music for the same.

Alicia followed her family’s tradition of “A Capella” harmony by starting her own female group in the sixth grade. The group, Special Blend has since ministered at various youth retreats, camp meetings, churches, nursing homes, Just Claim It 2 (The 2nd North American Division World Youth Prayer Conference – 2010) in Columbus, Ohio, and the 2011 BAYDA (Black Adventist Youth Directors Association) iServe Conference in Orlando, Florida, with more than 10,000 youth in attendance. Special Blend has also been invited back to minister at the 2012 Just Claim It 3 conference.

Alicia currently serves as music director for school plays, and leads out in the camp meeting Kindergarten music program for a 10 day family camp in the summer. In recent years, Alicia has taught herself how to play both violin and acoustic guitar using theory-based, home learning programs.

In the spring of 2011, Alicia was valedictorian of her eight-grade class, graduating with a 4.0 GPA. Alicia has a particular interest in math and science. She has served on a winning robotics team for her school and invited to participate in national science camps. In 2009, Discovery Education and 3M announced Alicia as one of the top 50 middle school students from around the nation who placed as a semifinalist in their 11th annual Young Scientist Challenge. Alicia earned this distinction by winning the science competition for the state of Michigan.

As an elementary School Student, Alicia accompanied her parents on missions to feed the homeless in some of the poorest areas in Detroit, Michigan. Her role was to offer a religious tract after recipients had received their meals. She also accompanies her mother on various projects with Habitat for Humanity and annually participates in clothing donation projects.

For the past four years, Alicia has been a dedicated member of the Ypsilanti Church Pathfinder Club. She has received many honors and serves as a mentor to several of the younger members. She recently became a TLT (Teen Leadership Training) and is excited about continuing her development in the program. For the Fall 2011 Pathfinder Day program, the club performed a play written by Alicia entitled, What Christians Do in the Dark. The play was so compelling that several adults in the audience were moved emotionally and expressed desires to walk closer with the Lord. The Motor City Youth Federation President asked that the play be performed again at their next federation.

Aspirations


Alicia has many aspirations, which include membership in the Oakwood University 
Aeolians, playing in a collegiate orchestra or ensemble, life-long philanthropy and a
career as an orthopedic surgeon. Most of all, Alicia plans to always use her talents in the
service of the Lord.

Musical Legacy


Alicia comes from a legacy of musicians who have dedicated their talents to God’s
service. Her father, Brandon, aunt Tenesia Standifer and uncles Reginald and Cedric (formerly of Take 6) began
 singing in their own “a cappella” harmony group at the ages of 6, 8 and 9, respectively.
  Her mother Alice and maternal grand mother Julia continue to sing in small groups and 
choirs and her grand parents Barbara and Samuel Dent are singers and led groups, choirs
 and chorales in their younger years.