Christian music artist Anya Lee has faced death and lived to tell the tale. In 2019, while hiking the Appalachian Trail, she was overcome by the elements and froze to death. Miraculously, she was revived in the ER, staring at bright lights and immediately understanding that God had spared her for a reason—her music. For Anya, music is not just a creative outlet; it’s the medium through which she shares her unshakable faith in Jesus’ love.
By day, Anya is the Associate Dean of Student Affairs at Way Up Near Canada State University. But her true passion lies in crafting melodies and lyrics that draw listeners into the profound love of God. With a blend of soul, R&B, and pop influences, Anya’s music offers a reminder of God’s closeness, even through life’s toughest challenges. Her tender vocals are wrapped in beats and rhythms, masterfully produced by soul artist Gregatron, creating a soothing and energizing sound.
As a pastor's kid and Army brat, Anya has lived a constant movement, with 56 addresses to her name. She's a lover of the outdoors, sci-fi, and backpacking. An introvert at heart, she finds comfort in quiet evenings with a good book or sewing project. Despite these quiet passions, her life experiences—including surviving three miracles—have pushed her to pursue her long-held dream of making music that resonates with others. We met Anya to discuss her musical journey, her latest tracks, and what inspires her.
Tell us about your journey to becoming an artist, particularly the moment you died and came back to life.
As a child, I remember saying three things I wanted to be when I grew up. First, a snake. Second, a Chinese pizza lady (we were walking in Brooklyn one day, and I saw a beautiful Asian woman spinning pizza dough and asserted to my parents that that was what I wanted to be). Finally, I wanted to be a lady in a sequined dress draped on a piano singing beautiful music. I'm still determining which movie or show it was where I saw this, but it locked into my memory. That was when my dream of being a singer-songwriter began.
I've always been active in church music ministry, community, and school choirs, where I shared my heart and my gift. All the while, I wrote poems that God laid on my heart. When I went off to undergrad, I realized I needed a major that would allow me a career and a paycheck, so I dropped the idea of a music major and shifted to Education and Psychology. This didn't stop me from helping lead worship at the BSM (Baptist Student Ministries) and starting to write music that lived in my little three-ring binder.
After graduation, life got busy, complicated, and filled with so much drama, and I allowed my music to fall by the wayside. I underwent almost a dozen significant surgeries that affected my ability to play music and a couple of debilitating heartbreaks that I allowed to sideline my music writing.
It was in 2019 that the most significant event occurred, bringing me back to my mission. I died. I was hiking with a long-time family friend and was left behind. I was overcome by hypothermia, rhabdomyolysis, and dehydration after five days. Two wonderful angels in the flesh “happened” by me, and on their way back, they found me. They scooped me up, put me in their car, and drove me to the nearest clinic. I saw and heard things that were difficult to explain, and when I awoke in the ER, I had this overwhelming hunger to write music and do something with it, though I didn't know exactly what to do or how.
Then, it was 2022, and I came across an old note in that old three-ring binder about NCS (Nashville Christian Songwriters), and then an ad came across my FB feed. It was time to reach out and get serious.
I participated in two courses before the unique and ridiculously talented John Chisum expressed his confidence in my songs being ready to produce and release, and I jumped at the chance. Driving to Nashville to record at Wierok Studios was a blessing with the incredibly talented Greg “Gregatron” Williams, Phoebe Scott, and Josh Green.
Since then, I've continued to learn and grow under the tutelage of John Chisum and Kevin McNeese of NRT (NewReleaseToday). I've continued to write and practice music more.
Could you tell us about your most recent music? What inspired your new music, and what is the overall theme?
My latest song, “You're the One,” was released in September. This song was born out of a place of pain and darkness as a declaration of who God is amid the valleys. Remember that time you just wanted someone to love you? Truly love you?
I'm twice divorced (long story) and am currently in my single-girl era. I've been in a home filled with spiritual warfare and words that cut to the quick. I've lived with a husband whose pornography addiction had him in a stranglehold. I've sat in my shower, volcanic hot water drenching me, sobbing into my fists and just begging God to either change my husband's heart or close this door.
I've wanted to be loved as much as I loved—husband, friend, parent, sibling—and the booming nothing I felt in my heart when it wasn't reciprocated by those I loved was maddening. This desire sometimes led to poor choices or ignoring God's still small voice, and I felt myself moving away from Him, but He was faithfully waiting for me to come home.
He met me on those long car rides to nowhere, in those lonely shower moments, and frequently since. He's the one who longs for me, chases after me, never leaves me.
God met me in a dejected, shattered, gutted place. I wanted to write a song that captured my joy for the one who loves me more than I can comprehend.
What scripture inspired your new music?
In a lot of ways, Luke 16:11-32 did inspire this song. We don't have to squander everything and find ourselves in a pig pen to be prodigal sons and daughters. We can do that spiritually and emotionally. I know I have.
Tell us about your journey to work with NRT Music.
Just so you know, I found NRT when it was still NewReleaseTuesday and fell in love with the resource and mission. Learning about many talented new artists in one place was a dream come true for me. Who knew I'd end up here?
I was blessed to have musical mastermind John Chisum of NCS invite me to participate in the Artist Development Course, which involves several sessions with NRT founder Kevin McNeese. Kevin provides mentorship, guidance, and wisdom to fledgling and developing artists.
When I was told about NRT Music being an option, it was a no-brainer that I wanted to put my trust in the NRT Family's hands to get my music out there. To have such close and careful attention as a new artist has been so refreshing, and knowing that NRT is in my corner is genuinely surreal.
What other projects are you currently working on?
I am working on a Christmas song, a fantastic anthem about my near-death experience while hiking on the Appalachian Trail, and a couple of other pieces I'm excited to bring to life with Gregatron and Phoebe Scott.
I have been developing new merchandise that I would love to see people wearing as they rock out to my songs. There may also be a music video in the works. But remember that whole introvert business? Yeah, I'm doing my best.
Who are some of your musical inspirations? Who would you like to collaborate with in the future?
I'm old enough to have been raised on DC Talk and Audio Adrenaline, so I will always have love for my early music influences. I wanted to learn guitar because I enjoyed Christian contemporary mainstays Sara Groves and Shane & Shane as a young adult.
There are so many artists in my most listened-to playlist that it's hard to narrow it down, but I love DOE, Marizu, Sharon, Pennsylvania, and Sarah Reeves. Being able to sing with Todd McVicker, For King & Country, Stars Go Dim, or a dozen others might cause me to ugly cry.
Finally, how can we be praying for you?
I have had a long history of medical issues, and the Lord has seen fit to heal me from three major ones: hallelujah. However, I do have a couple that continue to make life challenging. I would be grateful for prayers for my health, parents, the next chapter, and music to speak to the right people at the right time to change hearts and draw them to the Most High.
Anything else you’d like to say to our readers?
From the bottom of my heart, thank you for every stream and every purchase. It may not seem like much, but you are helping a little girl who wanted to be a sequined-dress singer realize her calling to make music for the Kingdom, and that's no small thing.
And if you have been living with a dream buried deep in your heart that God gave you to tend and grow, find a way to nurture it and give it the light it needs. When you do your part, the Father is faithful to do His.
Paul Phillips is a Canadian journalist with over 20 years of experience writing and editing digital and print content. He specializes in health, fitness, nutrition, and travel. He loves music, movies, and, of course, living for Jesus.
NEW!BEHIND THE SONG
#1236 - Brandon Heath
Transforming wounds into stories of redemption in this powerful song
ADVERTISEMENT
NEW!NRT EDITORIAL
Skillet
We explores some of the band's best songs outside their hits
NEW!NRT LISTS
Jordan Merritt
A real conversation around the artist's new track, "Human"
NEW!HEARTSPEAK
Jordan Feliz
The artist's must-listen-to songs about faith, family, and redemption
NEW!AN NRT EXCLUSIVE
Rock Meets Worship
Seven gritty cover songs of popular worship music and hymns
