You might have heard Techika Rhodes before you meet her, as Techika is blessed with a gift of music. In addition to voice, piano and trombone, Techika, a 3rd Year M.Div. student (specialization in African American Church Studies Program), is literally the beating heart of the Wesley Chapel Choir, providing rhythms on the cajon drum box. You will experience great warmth and a wonderful smile in her presence.
Born in Mississippi, Techika was raised in Chicago during her toddler years but spent most of her life in Arkansas. She graduated from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock with a B.A. in Sociology and an A.D. in Interdisciplinary Studies.
A Wesley alum introduced Techika to Wesley: “the Rev. Jana Green, director of the U of A - Little Rock's Wesley Foundation and Senior Pastor of Oak Forest United Methodist Church (Little Rock…she extended an invitation to apply to Wesley, and here I am today,” said Techika.
Techika says that being at Wesley has empowered her. “Wesley has helped me to develop a stronger voice, expanded my horizons, and has allowed me the opportunity to gain deeper theological wisdom through the teaching of my professors,” she said.
Wesley also led her to the cajon drum box. “l learned to play the drum through a simple invitation from Dr. Guenther during one of our choir rehearsals, “ said Techika. “We were preparing to sing an African song and I said I would give the drum a try… the rest is history.”
Anything we don’t know about Techika? “I have traveled with the Arkansas Gospel Mass Choir, a nationally-recognized professional choir, and have sung on other recording projects, as well as singing with other various groups,” she said.
With music so central to Techika’s life, it is fitting that the words of a great singer inspire her: "It isn't where you come from; it's where you're going that counts."- Ella Fitzgerald #trombone #piano #cajondrumbox #AK #EllaFitzgerald #facesofWesley
Join Techika in pursuing a Master degree at Wesley, with a specialization in African-American Church Studies. Click here to learn more about this specialization.
We are currently accepting applications for Master of Divinity, Master of Theological Study and Master of Arts programs.
For more information, contact Admissions at (202) 885-8659 or admissions@wesleyseminary.edu or chat with our Admissions staff via iChat on the Wesley website homepage, wesleyseminary.edu.
Faces of Wesley is a weekly profile of one of the members of our Wesley Community - faculty, students, alumni, staff, administration and other friends of Wesley. You can read it weekly on our Facebook or Instagram platforms or on our website's home page.
