Minister Donte´ Alexander Ford is a native of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He is a proud graduate of the Girard Academy Music Program; The Pennsylvania State University; Southern Methodist University; and The University of Arizona, respectively. A dynamic drummer, tubist, pianist, and organist in his own right, Donte’ s many gifts and talents have afforded him countless opportunities to include serving as lead pianist for the Centre’ Dimensions Jazz Ensemble at Penn State, student conductor, and resident percussionist; sharing stages with Phil Woods, Dennis DiBlasio, Stephen Hawk, and Joe Rupp just to name a few. Donte was a proud member of the Penn State Tuba and Euphonium studio and privileged to serve and participate in Essence of Joy under the capable leadership and direction of professor and mentor, Dr. Anthony Leach. 

 

The eldest son of Pastor and Mrs. McDonald Ford, it was at the Christian Fellowship Community Church, under the leadership of his father where Donte´ heard the call to the Gospel Ministry of Jesus Christ. Thusly, Donte´ delivered his initial sermon and was licensed on Sunday August 8, 2010. It was his desire to further his growth and development in music and the Gospel that that led him to pursue the Master of Sacred Music offered by Perkins School of Theology. Consequently, Donté also pursued the Master of Music in Choral Conducting and Master of Divinity. As a student at SMU, Donté was active in both the Perkins School of Theology and Meadows School of the Arts. He served as the assistant director and graduate assistant for Diva Dolce and Meadows Chorale, student director for the Seminary Singers, and pianist for the Meadows Jazz Orchestra. Donté contributed to the worship life at Perkins by serving in many chapel services and even leading services of his own (Gospel and Jazz). As a Sacred Music and Choral Conducting major, Donté has been privileged to study with Drs. Christopher Anderson and C. Michael Hawn, and Dr. Pamela Elrod-Huffman, respectively. Donté completed his Ph.D in Musicology with a minor in Choral Music Studies at the University of Arizona in Tucson, AZ, with teachers: Drs. Matthew Mugmon, Jay Rosenblatt, John Brobeck, and Elizabeth Schauer. 

 

Minister Ford served on music staff at First Baptist Church of Hamilton Park under the tutelage of John Mark Tatum, Minister of Music, in Richardson, TX. He also served on the teaching faculty of First Baptist Dallas School of the Arts and is the founder and artistic director of Sankofa Chorale. In addition to all of those appointments, Donté Ford is honored to serve as a commissioned officer in the United States Navy as a Chaplain Candidate.