“Through my music, I desire to touch people with salvation, peace and joy”               
 
Cheryl Dunn has always felt her calling was to sing, and she has been singing from as far back as she can remember.  The Lord has confirmed her feeling was right!  Cheryl released her first CD project "Anybody Else", produced by Carmen Barry, in September 2002.  Her album received 4 nominations and won the "Country/Bluegrass Album of the Year" at the 2003 VIBE Awards.  Since Cheryl only recently began her new singing career, the award came as a complete surprise.  "I never would have dreamed it possible", says Cheryl.  "But with God all things are possible.
 What makes the honor an even greater blessing is that it's a people's choice award, voted on by fans."  Cheryl was also nominated for 3 awards at the 2003 Canadian Gospel Music Awards and performed at the awards ceremony.

"I have more to give for the Lord yet", she says. Cheryl's second CD "Let Go", again produced by Juno Award winner Carmen Barry, released in December 2004.  It is fresh, upbeat, and full of God's promise that He is in control. At the 2005 Shai Awards Cheryl was nominated for Country Album of the Year and Female Vocalist of the Year.

Cheryl's musical style is country.  She has a vibrant sound complimented by a bright and compassionate personality.  But, being an award winning country gospel singer is a far step from where Cheryl's music career first began.  Cheryl grew up in a musical family and at the tender age of eight was playing and singing with her brother.  At twelve, the young musician was involved in bands and playing clubs and by age fifteen, bars were a way of life.  After 10 years of the bar scene she was unhappy and disillusioned.  She'd had enough. 
"It's a very lonely life when you're just background music for barroom chat.  I just stopped singing and walked away from my music", says Cheryl.

Cheryl pursued another vocation in search of fulfillment.  In the meantime she met and married police officer husband Jim, and together they have four children.  Cheryl faced yet another of life's struggles as she stood by Jim in his battle against cancer.  He is cancer free but it was only through growing faith that she was able to rise above it all.

What's different about Cheryl's music now?  "I felt lost without the pleasure and creative outlet of music and never seemed truly fulfilled. Through the Lord's gentle leading I came to understand my talent is a God-given gift.  Just like the lyrics to the song 'Anybody Else would have left me crying but not You'. I now sing with purpose."  Cheryl is careful in choosing her songs and simply sings what she believes. 
"Music can be very powerful and people will remember how the lyrics of a song touched and inspired them long after I've finished singing it", says Cheryl.  "It's wonderful to be able to share my faith in that way."

Cheryl has always had a special place in her heart for children.  She is a Big Sister with Northumberland Big Sisters Big Brothers and has been for many years.  Cheryl shares her success with World Vision Canada as a 'musical ambassador' and is a foster parent herself.  Cheryl has also performed on the nationally televised TV program 100 Huntley Street and The Miracle Channel.