Gospel Showcase & Open Mic with Damien Sneed

Damien Sneed is a rising star who is widely admired for his range of musical talents and his extraordinary achievements in his burgeoning career. A 2014 recipient of the prestigious Sphinx Medal of Excellence, which is presented annually to emerging Black and Latino leaders in classical music, Sneed has also garnered attention in a wide range of other musical genres, including jazz, gospel, pop and R&B. He has already been featured in the New York Times multiple times for his work in various genres. A pianist, organist, conductor, composer, producer, arranger, vocal coach and lecturer, Sneed has worked with jazz, classical, pop and R&B legends such as Wynton Marsalis, Jessye Norman, Stevie Wonder, Diana Ross, Carlos Santana, Ashford & Simpson, David Sanborn, and Kenny Burrell. He also served as musical director for season four of Sunday Best, Black Entertainment Television’s (BET) hit gospel singing competition show.

Gospel music was the foundation of Sneed’s early musical experiences. A musical prodigy who was playing the piano at three years old, Sneed began playing at his family’s church, Good Shepherd Baptist Church, when he was only five. When he was eight, he was hired by the church as the music director for the senior choir. He soon became the music director for the church. Despite his broad musical interests and experiences, Sneed has continued to contribute to church music ministries. He served as the music director for The Greater Allen A.M.E. Cathedral in Jamaica, New York, from 2005-2010, and has worked with and accompanied choirs at a number of other churches. Sneed has served as music director for concert tours, award show performances and nationally televised appearances for some of the country’s most celebrated gospel artists.