Today we’d like to introduce you to Lyndja.
Hi Lyndja, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I grew up in a church-going, musical, Haitian family and have been singing for as long as I can remember. I started at four years old, was leading children’s choirs by six, and already in recording studios sessions with some of Haiti’s biggest artists, by 10. Things changed quite a bit when we moved permanently to the States in 2007. I was in the eighth grade when my younger sister and I were left with a family friend to get settled, enroll in school,etc. Unfortunately, because our parents couldn’t stay with us, we ended up in various abusive living environments, which wasn’t a norm for us.
I remember looking for activities to fill up our schedules and one random Wednesday night, I ended up at a local church in the area. I didn’t know who they were at the time, but the Munizzis and the McDowells were the worship leaders. I got to sing with them, learn about worship leading and of course found a safe space for my sister and me to spend our time. That same year, I signed a contract with Disney to perform Christmas carols during the holidays. And listen, Disney does not play about Christmas! We were out there singing every single night, in the cold, but I loved it. It felt like a vocal bootcamp. I look back now and realize that those experiences at that church and at Disney were what shaped my stamina both vocally and mentally.
I went on to graduate high school, then ministry school for college and immediately began my journey with worship leading full time right after. My favorite thing about my gift is seeing how many people have been and continue to be blessed by it. Whether it be a tour, writing on a Grammy-winning record, leading a Sunday service or taking a traveling worship engagement, it’s been an honor to see what God has done through me. I’m just grateful to have had the privilege to experience His faithfulness in my life, both on and off the platform.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Is making your dreams come true ever a smooth road? Of course, I’ve dealt with rejection and all the usual things that come with working in music, but I think some of the hardest things I’ve experienced lately have happened outside of my music journey. Being Haitian and living in America right now has been difficult in ways I don’t think my parents ever imagined when they decided to bring us here. There’s so much I love about this country and the unique opportunities I’ve been afforded, but it’s hard to ignore the way immigrants, especially Haitians, have been talked about and treated over the years. Between the stereotypes, the political rhetoric, and everything surrounding immigration enforcement, it can feel like you’re constantly being reminded that you don’t belong here. It takes a lot of grit to wake up every day and chase dreams that people don’t believe you should have access to just because of where you’re from.
There’s also the pressure of just being an immigrant kid. You want to make your parents proud and represent your community well, all while trying to figure out who you are and what you want for yourself. It’s a lot to carry sometimes. And I think that pressure to meet everyone else’s expectations can also follow you into adulthood. As an unmarried, plus-size Black woman in music and ministry, I’ve had to learn to boldly advocate for myself in professional spaces, friendships, and even in romantic relationships. As I’ve gotten older, I’ve become much more intentional about the standards I set and what I’m willing to accept from others. People have some very interesting ideas about what women, especially Black, single women in ministry, should tolerate, and I just don’t agree with all of it. Jesus was humble, but He also challenged hypocrisy and wasn’t afraid to confront people when necessary. I don’t believe having boundaries makes me any less loving or any less Christian. I was raised in a matriarchal Haitian household, and I think my mother did a wonderful job teaching me that my size, skin color, or where I came from should never determine what I could accomplish or what I deserved. And honestly, with everything I’ve learned about myself these last few years, I’m just excited about building a life that I’m genuinely proud of, not just one that looks good to everybody else.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
What do you do and what do you specialize in?
I’m a singer-songwriter and worship leader. Gospel music has always been a big part of my life and because I grew up in church, I knew pretty early on that worship ministry was an inevitable path for me. I currently serve as a full-time Worship Director at Union Church, which has eight campuses across multiple states and reaches tens of thousands of people through its in-person and online services. A lot of my work involves developing vocalists, working with musicians, planning worship sets, leading rehearsals, and making sure our teams are prepared for all worship experiences at our church. I joke that working at Union Church these past 2 years has turned me into a monster of a worshipper! I think when you’re around really gifted and anointed people all the time, you start realizing how much more there is to learn, even when you’ve been doing something for years.
Outside of ministry, I write music, and that’s always been a very personal part of my life. I love gospel, soul, pop…all of it. I’m drawn to songs that tell real stories, whether they’re about faith, love, grief, or just figuring life out. I just really love making music that people can relate to.
What are you known for? What are you most proud of?
I’m not sure I’ve done the thing I’ll eventually be known for yet! I’m still figuring that part out, and I think that’s exciting. I’ve also been trying to get better at actually celebrating things I’ve accomplished instead of immediately thinking about what I want to do next. But one of my proudest moments happened when I was just ten years old. A young Haitian artist named Ginoue Mondesir had passed away, and I got to write a tribute song for her and perform it at her funeral. I remember thinking about her mom and how much I wanted her to have something she could listen to and remember her daughter by. I was just a kid, but that experience really stayed with me. Before that, music was mostly something I associated with happy moments, church, celebrations, and performing. Ginoue’s funeral was the first time I understood how much it could mean to someone who was hurting. Sad people deserve an outlet, too. I think that’s where my love for writing about heartbreak, grief, and all the complicated parts of love really started. I’ve been fortunate to experience some wonderful things in music since then, but I still think about that moment because it was the first time I really saw what my gift could do for someone else.
What sets you apart from others?
I’m not easily impressed, and I actually love that about myself! I don’t mean that in a rude way, because there are definitely people I’d completely lose my mind over. Adele is one of them. If I ever meet her, please don’t expect me to act normal! But I’ve never really been intimidated by fame or status. I admire talented people, but I’m usually more interested in understanding what it took for them to become so good at what they do. I love learning from people who have mastered their craft, and I think that curiosity has helped me stay grounded and be myself, even in rooms with some incredibly accomplished people.
I’m also someone who just genuinely enjoys the work. At Union, we’ve had weekends where we’re leading worship on Friday night, back for Saturday morning prayer, and then doing four to five full worship experiences on Sunday. It’s a lot, but I love it. I love the preparation, the rehearsals, the people, and seeing everything come together. Of course, I have big dreams. I’d love to make incredible records, walk red carpets, and experience all the fun things that come with being an artist but I also get just as excited hearing that a single mom felt encouraged during worship or that someone going through a difficult time felt closer to God because of something we sang. I know that probably sounds very churchy, but it’s true! Those moments really matter to me, and that’s a big part of why I still love doing this.
Is there any advice you’d like to share with our readers who might just be starting out?
I wish I knew how much of my life was actually mine. When you’re young and trying to figure out what you want to do, everyone around you will have an opinion. Whether that be the kind of music you should make, what opportunities you should take, sometimes it’s the people who genuinely love us the most who don’t always understand what we see for ourselves. I’ve learned that there are some decisions you just have to be comfortable making even when nobody else gets it.
John 4:18 says, “Perfect love casts out fear.” I know it’s talking about God’s love and the confidence we have in Him, but I think about that a lot when it comes to my own gifts. If I believe God loves me and has given me these abilities, why am I so worried about what everyone else thinks? And in the same way, as an artist, your love for music has to be greater than your fear of rejection or failure. You have to love your craft enough to keep showing up, even when no one’s paying attention. What do YOU want? Life is too short to spend it trying to live up to everyone else’s expectations. I believe part of honoring God is making the most of the life and gifts He’s given us. And for me, that means giving myself permission to fiercely pursue the things that genuinely bring me joy.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @lyndjacanal
- Youtube: @lyndjacanal
