From the age of four singing duets with his brother Franchi, his mother, Bishop Thelma Jean Mitchell, and the Reverend William C. Callaway, his childhood pastor, the Reverend Deryck Tines Mitchell, now 50 years old, has become renown for his musical abilities, his longtime advocacy ministries to those marginalized, and his unique personal style. From churches and theater stages in America to opera houses in Europe and Italy, he performs gospel songs and music with a repertoire that spans several decades.
His love of gospel music is rooted in the hymns of the church, which were passed down to him from singing and playing the piano during devotional times in the family living room with his parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles, to his siblings who are all musicians, singers, broadway performers and ministers today.
This award-winning gospel artist’s repertoire includes not only hymns, but also includes spirituals and many traditional gospel favorites from artists such as the father of Gospel- Thomas Dorsey, Sally Martin and Clara Ward to James Cleveland, Walter and Edwin Hawkins and Andrae Crouch to name a few.
In Pittsburgh, PA, he serves as the Administrative Pastor to Her Grace, the Bishop Thelma Mitchell, and continues to provide oversight to ONEchurch and its HIV-AIDS ministries which he founded in the heart of Downtown, in Bricolege Theater in 2008.
This summer, the Reverend Deryck Tines received a “Citizens Service Award” fromMayor Luke Ravenstahl, and June 1, 2012 was named “Deryck Tines Day” in the City of Pittsburgh for his outstanding work with ONEchurch, his gospel performances and for successfully serving on various local boards and advisory groups across the nation.
He is the original music director for Vernell Lillie’s “Mahalia Jackson: Standing on Holy Ground”, and is currently producing the Bayard Rustin Centennial Festival both of which are occurring this Fall in Pittsburgh.