Today we’d like to introduce you to Talyah Thomas.
Hi Talyah, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
My story begins in Houston, Texas, where I was born into a family that was heavily involved in our local church. Growing up, my dad and mom would often go to choir rehearsals for our church. My younger brother and I always went with them. Eventually, my parents encouraged me to join our church’s youth choir to sing, and I’ve been singing ever since.
As I got older, I realized how much I really loved creating and performing music. Hearing the Hammond B3 organ or the fascinating drum fills my dad played during live services always captivated my heart and stirred something in me.
Academically, I was involved in a variety of activities- academic decathlon, choir, theater, speech and debate, and for a long time, I didn’t think about pursuing anything creative as a career. In my senior year of high school, I planned to pursue mathematics, but I knew that choice was being made out of fear. So when it came time to look at schools to further my education after high school, I sat down with myself and asked if music was something I really wanted to pursue. After wrestling with that truth, I realized that I feel most human when creating music.
Out of bold faith, I chose to begin my journey in pursuing music as a career.
Since then, I have graduated from Nimitz High School in Houston, Texas, ranking number nine in my class, and began my journey at Texas Christian University (TCU) in the Fall of 2026 to pursue my degree in music. I am now a B.A. Vocal Studies major with a minor in Arts Leadership & Entrepreneurship and a minor in Communication. Since coming to Fort Worth and TCU, I have been blessed with incredible opportunities- traveling abroad to Italy, performing in world premieres of original works, interning and collaborating with multiple arts organizations, and growing as both an artist and a leader.
Today, I am a senior at TCU. I co-lead a Christian Bible Study on campus, serve as an artist-in-residence and assistant coordinator at an Arlington-based arts organization called The Music Stand, and actively create and release original music as an independent artist. My journey has been shaped by faith, community and a deep love for using music to bring people together.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Getting to this point in my life has not been a smooth road. There have been many obstacles and challenges along the way. The first major challenge, chronologically, was navigation culture shock. Growing up in a predominantly African-American and Hispanic community, moving to Fort Worth and attending TCU was a significant adjustment. It pushed me to reflect deeply on my identity and on how to stay grounded as a Christian African-American woman in a new environment.
Another major turning point came in 2024, when I was involved in a car accident. The concussion I received forced me to relearn how to move through life. I had to recalibrate my routines, my expectations, and even my pace. That season taught me emotional intelligence, balance, and how to extend myself grace when things take longer than expected or don’t go according to plan.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
My work sits at the crossroads of creativity and strategy, where the arts meet business. Since I began my music journey, I’ve aspired to build a career in the arts business sector, and each opportunity has strengthened that vision. I have performed on stages with artists like Arlington Jones, Camille Thurman, and Joey Carter, and my work has extended beyond performance into community-centered arts initiatives. From serving as a young artist with Limitless Art under Rachel Davis, to supporting marketing efforts for Maroon 9 Community Enrichment, to serving as a studio performer for a nonprofit, Well Worship, and leading worship for The Glory Revival, my journey has been shaped by collaboration and service. Today, I continue that work with the Arlington-based organization, The Music Stand, while also providing private voice lessons.
This mix of performance, marketing, operations, and event leadership reflects my commitment to uplifting the arts from every angle.
At TCU, my leadership has grown alongside my artistry. I have served as Chaplain for the Word of Truth Gospel Choir, directed musical projects for Theatre TCU Black Excellence (TTBE), and Outreach Coordinator-now Co-President-of The Christian Talk bible study. These roles have shaped my vision for a career that unites creativity, business, and community impact.
What was your favorite childhood memory?
When I think of my favorite childhood memory, what comes to mind is one hot summer day when I was around seven years old. I spent the day at my grandmother’s house and, for some reason that I can’t remember, I was the only grandchild there with her. Usually, either my siblings, my cousins or my uncles would be there. But this time, it was just me and her.
She asked if I wanted to do something to have fun and I told her I wanted to play outside. So my grandmother brought out a lawn sprinkler, put it in her front yard and watched me entertain myself playing in the refreshing spray of the sprinklers for the next three hours. That day there was no phone, no TV, just me, outside in the sun, dancing to my own song. That day, it was just me, enjoying the wet grass caressing my toes and seeing the rainbows reflecting through the water droplets. Eventually, she took me inside for lunch. Once inside, my grandmother saw that I was soaking wet. I had played so much that the color started to fade from my clothes, leaving little white patches throughout. She wasn’t exactly happy about that, however, as a little kid, I didn’t mind because it was proof of how much fun I had. When I think back on that memory, it carries the same joyful energy for me as The Imperials’ song Living without Your Love.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/talyahtcreates/?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/talyahthomas?utm_source=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=member_ios
