Class Year: Senior

Major(s): Entrepreneurship

Minor(s): Music

I have been playing piano in a worship context since I was 15, and I have loved every minute of it! Being able to share the gifts that the Lord has given me with His church is a blessing to me. I cherish any opportunity to work with the local Church, and am always willing to help out when I'm needed! I am classically trained in piano but also have experience in contemporary worship styles (keys, pad, etc.)

Class Year: Senior

Major(s): Violin Performance and Piano Performance with Pedagogy, University Fellow

I am a violinist, pianist, and dancer from Helena, AL. I perform frequently as a soloist and orchestrally, and I founded and direct a string quartet, the Candy Crush Quartet, which specializes in arts education and children’s ministry concerts but has also been featured with the Alabama Symphony Orchestra and other organizations throughout the region. I love playing classical music, but there is something so special about using my passion for worship! I have served on Animate student staff through Samford CWA and on the Samford Worship Collective team throughout my Samford journey, and I am also a local representative in the Miss America Organization, holding the titles of Miss Jubilee 2025 and Miss Iron City 2026, utilizing these roles to help equip students to use their artistic skills for their churches and communities.

Class Year: Junior

Major(s): Sociology

Minor(s): Spanish

I have always loved music as worship, and two years ago began teaching myself bass guitar (to God be the glory). Within months I auditioned for and joined the Samford Worship Collective, later picking up acoustic guitar, electric guitar, and songwriting. I also participated in the Church of the Highlands development program before attending Shades Valley Community Church, where I now play bass several Sundays a month. None of this would be possible without God, and I am forever grateful He has called me to lead worship through music.

Class Year: Freshman

Major(s): Music: Vocal Performance

I have led worship for many years. I helped lead at my church on Sundays and during the week at youth group. I also led at my school during Chapel and various worship events. I even participated in a school program created to teach students how to become worship pastors. Worship has always been a very large part of my life, and it is my favorite way to connect with God. I have always found it to be such a blessing to lead worship and help others connect with God in a way that is so close to my heart.

Class Year: Junior

Major(s): Commercial Music in Music Production

I am an audio engineer from Nashville, TN. I have been playing piano and singing for 10 years, as well as studying live sound and music production for 4. While my career will primarily be audio engineering, I love to use technical knowledge and passion for God to lead/aid worship when I can. It is my belief that He has blessed me with my musical ability to not only help me be a light in the darkness of the music industry; but to know how to create a non-distracting worship space for believers.

Class Year: Senior

Major(s): Worship Leadership

Minor(s): General Business

I have been leading worship for 8+ years now and truly love helping to foster an environment of worship for people within congregations. I have felt a strong calling on my life to ministry for several years now and plan to join a church staff full-time following graduation in the Spring. I have extensive experience working with ProPresenter and PCO. I can also run a sound board for basic events and troubleshoot most issues. I also have a huge heart for youth programs and helping them pour into their students in impactful ways!

Class Year: Junior

Major(s): Human Development and Family Science with a Fast Track for Clinical Social Work

Hi! I’m Claire Gann, and music has been my lifelong passion. I started my worship leading journey at church and in high school, where I led the Praise and Worship team each week. In college, I joined the Samford Worship Collective, a discipleship-based worship group, where I’ve served for two years and am entering my third as a team captain. In this role, I help plan and facilitate worship rehearsals and services. I have also lead worship in Dawson Memorial Baptist Church’s middle school ministry. As a leader, my favorite sound is a congregation, lifting unfettered praise to God and I strive to be the kind of leader that encourages unified praise.

Class Year: Graduate

Major(s): Composition undergraduate (vocal)

Minor(s): Music Education graduate (instrumental)

I am a musician and content creator with experience in multiple areas including vocal, composition, video, photo, lighting, sound, and instrumental. I’m passionate about music, production, and teaching and how I can incorporate them into worship.

Class Year: Sophomore

Major(s): Commercial Music

Minor(s): Biblical Studies (undeclared)

Hi! My name is Gabriella Hosmer and the church has always been my passion! I am a fourth generation Pastor’s kid who grew up with a heart for God’s people and furthering the church. I started singing in church at 8 years old, became a member of my church’s praise team at 12, and took on the role of church pianist and leader of the youth music ministry at 14! My aspiration is to be a Christian Artist however my heart’s desire is to be within the will of God wherever it is he calls me and use my talents to glorify Him in all I do!

Class Year: Freshman

Major(s): Economics and Marketing

Hi I’m Will! I have played viola for 14 years, and bass for the past 3 years. I played viola in Vanderbilt’s youth symphony for the past three years, and I have had experience playing bass in various praise bands and ensembles.

Class Year: Senior

Major(s): Psychology

Minor(s): Music (Voice)

I have been involved in worship leading since I was in middle school, and that has given me a deep passion for worship and sharing the Gospel through music. I led worship for my church's youth group and main congregation by singing and playing piano; I also sang in choir in school for seven years. These experiences led me to study voice at the collegiate level. I am now a fourth-year member of Samford's A Cappella Choir, which has added to my choral singing experience. I care very much about both band-led contemporary worship and choral worship.

Class Year: Graduate

Major(s): Masters of Divinity

Minor(s): (Previously) Music

I am a seminary student who studied music and loves opportunities to keep playing and serving the church. While I’m not necessarily training to become a professional musician, I have several years of ensemble experience, including the Samford Orchestra and Jazz Band.

Class Year: Senior

Major(s): Vocal Performance

My passion for music stared when I was a kid. Growing up, my family would always encourage my passion for music through singing. As I got older, I began leading worship at my home church, both for the youth and main services. At Samford, while my primary focus has been on classical vocal performance, I have continued to serve my local church through worship leadership. I am a big advocate for music as a means of communication, and I believe that worship is such a beautiful picture of how every person can uniquely communicate with our Creator.

Class Year: Freshman

Major(s): Journalism and Mass Communication

I grew up PCA, and I started playing the drums in elementary school. I played during my years in student ministry, and I have played in our main Sunday services. I joined the school praise team in 6th grade to play the cajon. My senior year, I served as the student leader for the chapel teams. I have experience with click and tracks, but more importantly, I have extensive experience leading others in worship. Playing worship music is one of my favorite things to do. I am blessed to use my God-given gifts to point others to Him.

Class Year: Junior

Major(s): Finance and Economics

Bennett is a pianist and keyboard player originally from Nashville, Tennessee, where he has played all over town. While at Samford University, Bennett has led worship at various churches, events, and with different ministries such as Samford's Office of Spiritual Life, Worship Collective, and Reformed University Fellowship. He has a heart for supporting the local church through music ministry, a passion built upon a strong faith in Jesus Christ.

Class Year: Senior

Major(s): B.A. Worship Leadership, Songwriting Concentration

At sixteen, I felt God’s call to ministry and have since trained in faith and the arts to serve effectively. I have three years experience conducting church choirs and orchestras and seven years leading worship team rehearsals. My primary instruments are voice and percussion, and I lead worship with piano and guitar. I am an experienced songwriter and have basic skills in production and live mixing. Passionate about equipping the church to glorify God, I find so much joy in making music with fellow believers! I currently serve as a Music & Worship Associate at Dawson Memorial Baptist Church.

Class Year: Senior

Major(s): English

Minor(s): Music, Biblical Studies

I have been playing the keyboard in various worship settings since I was 15, and in the past few years I've started playing the flute in worship too -sometimes in feature pieces and sometimes just as background. Music is an incredible gift that connects people to each other and to God, and I am passionate about using it for His glory in any way I can!