Leaving her home in California at 18 to be in a band with friends in Tennessee, Thena quickly realized that her passion was not in fronting a band, but in expressing her faith in Jesus through her songs. While in Tennessee, Thena signed to a record label with fellow artists Bebo Norman and Ellis Paul, and performed in festivals, on radio, TV, in churches, and literally anywhere she could find an audience.
After 3 years in Tennessee, under the mentorship of Christian musician James Ward, Thena moved back to California to study vocal jazz at the USC Thornton School of Music. There she studied under Grammy-nominated Tierney Sutton and Count Basie Orchestra singer Carmen Bradford. While in L.A., Thena won the Wyndham Hill Records national artist competition. Shortly thereafter, she was cast in the MTV show “The Microphone Sessions.” Although the show never made it to production, the experience challenged Thena’s faith, and solidified her sense that God was guiding her career and protecting her from the many pitfalls of the music industry.
After graduating, Thena went on to work with Taboo (Black Eyed Peas), Quincy Jones III, Grammy-award winner John Beasley, Tim Timmons, and Bill Appleberry, to name a few. Thena also worked extensively with Leila Steinberg, Tupak Shakur’s former manager, workshopping with inner-city kids and performing at shows and fundraisers for over 10 years. In her time in L.A., Thena also had the privilege of sharing the stage with Sara Bareilles, Tyrone Wells, and Charles Jones, among others.
In 2004, Thena became friends with Grammy-nominated songwriter and producer Busbee, and started singing demos for him. One demo she sang for a song he shopped to Carrie Underwood, garnered interest in signing Thena from a major Nashville label – but after much prayer, Thena turned the opportunity down, due to her conviction that it would be detrimental to her marriage. From 2003 to 2007 Thena worked with a manager who shopped her to major labels in search of an artist deal. Her biggest interest came from Jimmy Iovine of Interscope Records; but moving forward was contingent on a complete re-branding of Thena as sexy, promiscuous, and wild. God was faithful to protect her, and she chose to walk away.
In 2008, Tierney Sutton invited Thena to take on a teaching position at the vocal department of the Los Angeles College of Music. Thena accepted, and went on to found and head the Songwriting Program, teach Vocal Performance, and head the Mentorship Program, until the birth of her second child in 2013. In 2012 Thena’s songs were finalists in both the International Songwriting Competition, and Chris Tomlin’s FQ Worship Songwriting Event.
Since leaving her teaching position to focus on being a homeschool mom, Thena has continued to make her mark on the music world. In 2020, Thena won the Be Still Media Competiton for her song “Kingdom Come.” Shortly thereafter, she shot the music video for her song “Man of Sorrows,” with Emmy-Award winning director Alejandro Guimoye. In 2022, The “Man of Sorrows” music video went on to win the International Christian Visual Media Crown Award for Best Music Video, the International Christian Film and Music Festival Award, and the Canadian Cinematography Award. During this time Thena worked as a songwriter and consultant in the K-Pop music industry, and additionally, entered into a partnership with Bible League International, sharing their passion to bring Bibles to those hungry for God’s Word. In 2025, Thena was thrilled to win the Be Still Media Competition again, for her song “Just As You Are.”
Thena has four self-released albums to date, with a fifth album soon to be released. She is a member of ASCAP, has served as a worship leader at various churches since 2000, and currently teaches voice and songwriting lessons and workshops. She lives in South Carolina with her sweet husband and two boys, who are the joy of her life. And although she never “made it” by the world’s standards, she thanks God every day for His protection, victory and perfect plan.
“…Let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith…” – Hebrews 12:1a-2b
