About the artist
Kevin Desire (pronounced Dee-zeer)
Producer, arranger, composer, musician, & vocalist.
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https://www.n1m.com/kevindesirecholingapraise
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480+ musical compositions/arrangements in 25 genres, 15 songs recorded on five projects.
2010 Marlin Gospel Award nominee Cholinga (pronounced Cho-lin-ga) Praise is comprised of individuals from South Florida, Tallahassee & Jacksonville, FL, and Villa Rica, Georgia. It was founded by 2010 South Florida Gospel Music Award nominee Kevin Desire (pronounced De-zeer) during the inaugural year of V.A.D. Music Group (2006), and is the first group of the record label. It was named during Kevin's visit to Africa in 2006. Wanting an African name, it was in Malawi that upon discussion with some new friends there, "Praise with a Purpose" received its official name! Cholinga means purpose in Chichewa (one of many languages spoken in the central Africa country of Malawi). The group shared in V.A.D. Music Group's first full CD, "Today, we Represent Change." The compilation CD was nominated for "Compilation CD of the Year" for the international Marlin Award ("Grammys of the Caribbean"). Kevin is also a composer on the Stellar Award winning Miami Mass Choir- It's Praying Time CD. Kevin has composed over 480 songs in 26 genres. Additionally, he plays piano, organ, keyboard, and formerly played alto sax in high school and bass clarinet in high school and college. Mr. Desire toured Europe in a collegiate wind ensemble right out of high school in 1984, and returned for a second European tour directing, singing, and playing the piano. Kevin also is a hired front line tenor with the Miami Oratorio Society, and has served on all levels of the African Methodist Episcopal Church Music and Christian Arts Ministry, including director of the South Conference (southern Florida), 11th Episcopal District (Florida and the Bahamas), and international worship leader.
He has traveled across the United States, Nassau (Bahamas), Toronto (Canada), Europe, & Lilongwe, Malawi (southern Africa) with his music. He was voted most musical by his senior class at Miami Carol City in 1984.
Miami Carol City Senior High School Honor Graduate (1984), attended the University of Miami School of Music- (1984-88); studied piano with the late Sybil Farquson, Kaye Reed, & the late Frank Reed (jazz) prior to attending college. During & after college with Prof. Paul Posnak, Kevin's accompaniment professor & favorite one from UM!
Outside of music, Kevin is a motivational speaker. He taught Church School (Sunday School) for 17 years, was the first director (two years) & first overseer (10 years) of the New Members Ministry. Rev. Desire has been a member of the ministerial staff for 34 years. In the community, he is a member of UP-PAC (a North Dade community civic group for 8 years).
Since 2008 to the present, Kevin serves on the Equal Justice Roundtable, faith-based coalition partnership with the Miami-Dade Public Defender's Office, and the 11th District A.M.E. Church Social Action Committee (2015-2021).
Formerly, he was a staff writer for the African Methodist Episcopal (A.M.E.) Church Secret Chamber (devotional for the denomination-4 years) and The Alternative Program's Black on Black Crime Initiative Coalition (4 years) where he was on call to assist local law enforcement in community problems, and was the social action czar for the Central District, A.M.E. Churches (southern Florida AME Churches in several counties).
For recreation, he enjoys reading, traveling, horse-back riding, swimming, bowling, history, playing spades, playing Wii, shooting pool, nature, sports, movies, gardening, & politics.