Bio

Toya Alexander

Toya Alexander is a self-taught musician, vocalist, songwriter, DJ and aspiring playwright. She resides in the San Francisco Bay Area. Toya  sings, Jazz and R&B. For many years she also performed her own original music, formerly under the stage name, Simply Toya.  Toya portrayed the late jazz and soul singer Phyllis Hyman  in several productions of 'Celestial Celebration', a musical stage play by James Brooks. Since then, Toya produced and performed several of her own musical tributes to Phyllis Hyman. 

Toya's musical journey started at a very young age. She was writing and playing music at 7 years old and hasn't stopped. Through out the years,  she's written hundreds of original songs of various styles including personal wedding songs for  friends getting married. In past events, Toya opened for Howard Hewitt, Freda Payne, at the Black Expo, and Norman Conners at Vallejo's 4th of July Festival. Toya served a term as Entertainment Coordinator for the Bay Area Repertory Theater and co-produced the fundraiser concert series, 'Soul at the Chimes', with Chapel of the Chimes, in Oakland, CA. 

A special opportunity was offered to Toya by Laney College music department. She was invited to perform at a graduation ceremony. Toya wrote and performed an original song for this special occasion. Years later, this song, "What Will You Do WIth the Rest of Your Life", took 2nd place in the Women's Arts Swan Day Song Contest.

Currently, Toya is working on releasing her first single. It will be shortly followed by her album. Sharing her music with the world, is Toya's life long dream. A dream that took many years of perseverance, waiting and overcoming difficult life challenges. 

 

Please contact Toya for more information. Check out her music and sign up on the mailing list.

Home

2nd Place Winner of the 2018 Women Arts Swan Day Song Contest

In 2018, Toya Alexander was honored with a second prize ($500) award for her original song, "What Will You Do With The Rest Of your Life". Toya received the award from Women's Arts, the international organization for women artists, and was featured on their website.

Click here to learn more and hear the winning song: 

 

PERSONAL NOTE FROM TOYA

Mieux Vaut Tard Que Jamais! (Better Late Than Never)

When I was in junior high school, I took French. The name of my textbook was "Mieux Vaut Tard Que Jamais". When translated into english, it means 'Better late than never'. That phrase stuck in my head. I often wondered why. But, as the years passed, I grew to fully understand why that particular phase lingered in my consciousness.  I realized that some dreams may take almost a lifetime to fulfill. Years may fly by as your dreams and goals are pushed aside or put 'on hold', as you deal with life's challenges, tragedies, illness and survival. That's what happened to me. I use to doubt that my dream would ever come true.

When I was younger, those I thought would help me, didn't. Others discouraged and even tried to blocked me from succeeding. I truly wanted to raise the consciousness of the earth with music, positive vibrations, heartfelt songs. But with all the obstacles I had to face and overcome in my life, my dream felt more like a wish. Yet, in the back of my mind, I always heard a little voice tell me "Don't give up. Keep trying. Keep writing. Keep singing. No matter how long it takes...  better late than never".  I still listen to that little voice. That little voice made me realize that I had to take the lead in manifesting my dreams, no one else.

So, with that said, I am truly excited and happy to release my first of many songs. "Never Do Nothin' To Make You Sad". I'm so grateful that I never stopped writing and singing. I hope other artists reading this, will never give up their creative dreams too. I sincerely pray, that we all, be highly blessed and stay true to ourselves, our greatest dreams and life purposes. May we use our talents and gifts to uplift the world.