DONNA SOARIESDonna Soaries was born in Sumter, South Carolina. She moved to New Jersey at the age of five with her family and attended public schools in Newark. She attended Arts High School and was an accomplished violinist and the concert mistress of the orchesra. While in high school, Donna pursued her love of the arts. She attended Madam Haddocks School of Ballet and the Newark Community Center of the Arts where she took voice lessons and fell in love with singing. It was here that her outstanding soprano operatic voice was discovered and resulted in Donna performing in Off-Broadway shows and auditioning for the Metropolitan Opera. Donna toured Europe in her early 20's with the Operetta Company that presented Carmen Jones, where she played the role of Myrt. When she returned to the States, Donna was offered the unique opportunity to sing with the group Paradise, which recorded on the label, Polygram. It was one of their first albums under the Neo-Gospel concept of Paradise. Donna was known for her outstanding rendition of the song Behold. Mrs. Soaries earned a bachelors' degree in counseling from Pillar College. She completed advanced work at Drew Theological Seminary. One of Donna's most rewarding and gratifying roles was within the Harvest of Hope Family Services Network, a pioneer foster care program in New Jersey founded by Rev. Dr. Soaries which developed permanent solutions for children in the foster care system. Mrs. Soaries was the founder and chairwoman of the First Baptist Church of Lincoln Gardens Annual Women's Retreat. The retreat was held annually for 25 years and known as one of the most creative and exciting retreats in the nation. Donna also created Mothers Determined To Pray Prayer Conference Call 10 years ago, which continues to provide an opportunity for mothers and family members to participate in the prayer call every Saturday morning. Donna Soaries is the First Lady of First Baptist Church of Lincoln Gardens under the Pastorate of Rev. Dr. DeForest B. Soaries. They have served at First Baptist for 30 years. This year, Mrs. Soaries celebrated her 35th wedding anniversary. She is the proud mother of adult twin sons, Malcolm and Martin. Donna strives to live a life that is consistent with what God would have a woman of God to be. She absolutely loves her family and hopes that her legacy will be that she lived to walk upright!...No good thing will He withhold from those who walk uprightly. Psalm 84:11(NKJV). Read More Read Less