Job: Contemporary gospel artistIndustry salary range: $35,000 to $100,000

Education and background: I had two years of college in business administration, but I've been singing for about 30 years, probably since age 6 or 7.

What was your first professional gig? I started appearing when I was 8. I sang a duet with my brother in church. From there, I continued to sing in church choirs as I grew up and I joined a gospel choir in high school.

When did your singing become a profession? It was really weird, because I've been singing all my life. In 1995, I got a call from a girlfriend of mine asking me to sub for one of the singers she sang with in Minneapolis Gospel Sound. So I flew here from St. Louis for that job and it ended up being permanent. I was part of that group for 10 years and then branched off into a solo career in 2006 with my first project, "Just for Hymn."

How do you care for your voice? It is something that comes naturally. I haven't had any training. It's just a gift that God has given me, but I've learned that I need to take care of my voice. On a day-to-day basis I get up and do some vocal exercises. I make sure that I drink a lot of water to keep my vocal cords moist. Before a performance I make sure not to eat certain foods like citrus or dairy because they are harmful for the vocal cords.

Is singing a competitive field? Not at all. I'm a gospel singer, and I believe that I was called to do this. God has opened up many doors for me, many venues and audiences. I've never had to compete to do what I want to do.

What is your motivation for singing? Being able to help others through trials and tribulations that they go through. Music is something that can help others. My second project, which I just recorded in October, "I'm Ready Now," is really personal. It speaks lyrically about things that I've gone through, whether good or bad. I believe that people really can relate to and draw from that.

What's hard about your profession? Being clear on what's ministry and what's business. Sometimes God will open up an opportunity for me to minister and because this is also a job I might ask, "What's the budget?" when He just wants me to sing and help someone else out through my music. It's not really a downside because it opens up many more opportunities.

Advice for aspiring singers? Have patience. Anything worth having is worth waiting for. It's not easy to break into the industry. You have to have tenacity to make it.

HILARY BRUECK