Born and raised in the metro DC area, singer/songwriter Joy Lippard felt called into a music ministry at the early age of eleven, when she started writing songs. Joy then began leading worship for her church, recording her original songs and touring. She graduated from Liberty University and is now serving on staff as a worship leader at McLean Bible Church. After learning about the horrific problem of human trafficking, she was compelled to write an album of songs, Set Free, to bring awareness to the issue and offer hope and encouragement to the victims.

Joy gained notice at the 2006 GMA Music In The Rockies, winning first place in the pop/rock songwriting competition with the compelling “Beautiful Outside And In,” the title track of her critically acclaimed indie record. A year earlier, Lippard impressed a nationwide television audience with her performance on “America’s Most Talented Kids.”

She wrote her first song on the eve of the September 11 terrorist attacks. Joy recalls looking at the lyrics after the tragedy happened and sensing a real calling to encourage others through music. From that point on, Joy has continued to develop her songwriting chops and studies music theory, piano, guitar and voice. “I like to listen to people and write down things that catch my ear or what they are dealing with. I’m always observing to get ideas.”

Though Joy writes about life and relationships in a way that both Christian and mainstream audiences can embrace, she’s adamant about her music reflecting her faith. “I like writing songs that could go mainstream and reach a wider audience like the kids at my school who wouldn’t typically listen to Christian music,” she says, “but my heart is in it for the Lord and I want to glorify him.”

Joy writes songs that are a mirror where other people see their reflection. Her songs are personal, yet universal, and with her sweet, vulnerable voice, she taps into emotions we all feel. “Music has a lot of power,” she says. “I want to leave a legacy. I don’t want to go through life just doing my own thing. I want to be able to impact other people. I want people to be able to say ‘Yeah, she encouraged me!’ I’d like to leave that mark.”