WINNING SCHOOL CROWNS

 Winsie-Ann Cuffie is the 16-year-old daughter of Pastors Winston and Angela Cuffie, who lead a congregation of over 4,000 members, in a multi-faceted Full Gospel organisation, which they founded over 20 years ago, in the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago.

Winsie-Ann, the third of four children, began competitive singing at age nine.  She went on to win several school crowns in major competitions, at both primary and secondary levels. To this day, Winsie-Ann has also maintained an A and A+ all-round academic record at school. She has also distinguished herself in several sporting fields and drama and dance.

Her noted musical ability quickly propelled her into the public spotlight. She has made many special-guest appearances, at leading functions, on the invitation of the Trinidad and Tobago Government. In 2006 Winsie-Ann was also selected as part of a team to represent her country at the highly acclaimed Worldstars Championships in Hollywood – the Entertainment Capital of the World. This experience opened a door to the world’s leading recording studio – the prestigious Sony Recording Studios, USA – where she completed her first CD.

The energetic songster has recorded three CD albums, two of which has been released. She has also released singles which have all been on Top Ten charts. The vivacious teenager is heavily in demand and is in virtually every major Gospel concert and other functions in her country and most of the Caribbean region, majoring in Guyana, St Lucia, St Vincent, Antigua, Barbados, The Virgin Islands and Curacao. She has also had several performances in the US and Canada.

In 2007, Winsie-Ann was crowned the Best New Female Artiste of the Year, at the Caribbean Gospel Awards Ceremony, and shortly after copped the coveted Sugar and Energy Chutney/Soca Crown in Trinidad. She also hosts a popular daily “music and motivation” feature, entitled, “Winning With Winsie-Ann,” which is aired on two leading national radio networks, ISAAC 98.1 Fm and I 95.5 Fm. The programme is heard worldwide via the internet.

In 2006, Winsie-Ann teamed up with her elder sister Sherrose (a Social Science University student), who is highly respected as a worshipper and vocalist. They created immediate impact, particularly with their first joint CD You Deserve A Merry Christmas. The title track was done by Sherrose and the music easily dominated the Christmas Season in Trinidad and Tobago.

The two sisters and their other siblings, who are often part of back-up teams of singers, dancers and props, have delivered notably effective ministry with their various performances, which are sometimes quite elaborate

TBN; PERFORMANCE WITH YOLANDA, ISRAEL, MARY MARY AND OTHERS

Winsie-Ann and Sherrose have shared the international stage with various renowned Gospel artistes, including Israel Haughton, Terry Mac Almon, Junior Tucker, Deitrick Haddon, Michael English, Kevin Bond, Yolanda Adams, Stichie, Pastor and Mrs Matthew Singh, PaPa San and Mary Mary. The Cuffie sisters are also close friends of Donnie McClurkin.

The sisters, have also been guests at the Trinity Broadcasting Network (TBN) headquarters and Main Studios in California, USA. They fellowshipped with TBN co-founder Jan Crouch, and other senior TBN staff.

Winsie-Ann, with her entire performing team, including her sisters, was given the honour of doing the Opening Act for her country’s largest ever Gospel concert. It was the Yolanda Adams’ Concert, held at the Queen’s Park Savannah, Port-of-Spain on July 29, 2007. Winsie-Ann met directly with Yolanda, the two shared fun times of fellowship. The five-time Grammy Award winner was delighted by the highly effective, spectacular opening performance, which included many features that were a first for Gospel Concert in Trinidad and Tobago, and various parts of the world. (Yolanda posted excerpts of Winsie-Ann’s performance on her personal website after the concert).

‘PIONEER’ IMAGE, MUSICAL VERSATILITY

Various publications and commentators have described Winsie-Ann as “a pioneer” who has “revolutionised” Gospel music with a new, richly enhancing, creative blend of “special effects” such as modern pyrotechnics (fireworks) confetti, banner-towing aircraft, personalise bandanas, helium balloons and show pigeons. Understandably, these special features have been extremely impacting, especially with the younger folks. The songstress is also widely respected for her versatility in music. She sings traditional Gospel, R&B, Hip Hop, Gospelypso, Chutney, Reggae, Rap, Soca, Dance Hall, as well as Latin, Hindi and Spanish. She also does Hindi/Indian dances. 

In July 2007, Winsie-Ann and her sisters had a tour of New York which included the historic US Launch of the album We Salute You Jesus at the World’s Most Famous Arena, Madison Square, and performing at the grand Michael English concert in New York. The trip also included ministry at youth rallies and several other events in Brooklyn, the Bronx, Long Island and Queens.

Winsie-Ann and the overwhelmingly popular Israel Haughton also join forces for a totally sold-out concert at the Jean Pierre Complex in Port-of-Spain, Trinidad in November of 2007. This event (including the performances of other local artistes, left a transforming mark on the nation that will be difficult to erase).

That same month, and at the same venue, Winsie-Ann and team again put on a spectacular charity concert in aid of a children’s home, in collaboration with Gospel celebrity, former Dance Hall king, PaPa San.

A USA trip in December 2007, was the next step for Winsie-Ann, Sherrose, their siblings and team members. They focused on ministry in the Florida State, beginning in Orlando. The Christmas Season also provided a very potent platform and the sisters took full advantage of this as well, for the glory of the Lord.

Winsie-Ann continued to “validate” her pioneer image in Gospel music with the historic release of Trinidad and Tobago’s, and the Caribbean’s, first High Definition (HD) Gospel video – of her big hit Most High. The video was shot in major iconic and historic US sites such as Times Square, the Statue of Liberty, Madison Square Garden and Six Flags Theme Park. Spectacular scenes of a helicopter ride over New York, boat rides around that city, cable cars and gold-plated “dancing” show cars, all make up the one-of-a-kind video classic. (The shooting of a video at these US sites, with the related US features, is also another first for a Caribbean Gospel artiste). The revival song Fired Up has also been another Winsie-Ann rapid hit, with its very timely message and infectious melody.

In March of 2008, Winsie-Ann teamed up with international Gospel music stars Mary Mary for a remarkable Gospel concert in her nation. Winsie-Ann’s ministry at this event was particularly effective. Mary Mary and their Manager met with Winsie and her Manager for “top level” talks, after this performance.

In April 2008, Winsie-Ann, Sherrose and a cast of fifty persons flew to the beautiful nation of St. Vincent as guests of that nation’s Government and the International Christ for the Nations Organization. Winsie-Ann and Sherrose were the main feature at the Gala Opening of the one-month spectacular “National Gospel Fest” music event. Culture Minister of Government, Renee Baptiste, and other key dignitaries were on hand to welcome the Cuffie sisters.

The sisters and their team that were highlighted on the St. Vincent’s Government’s website for one month prior to the event, spent a full one hour and 15 minutes on the stage, creating an impact for the Lord which was described as “historic and overwhelming.” Along with the rich, anointed ministry, for the first time in St Vincent there was a Gospel presentation with “the glittering fanfare” of fireworks, laser lights and confetti bursts. The sisters were invited to return for several events. 

 A huge concert with Gospel music great Stichie, and a hectic tour of the US Virgin Islands has formed more recent ministry activity of Winsie-Ann’s busy schedule. The Virgin Islands trip included significant performances at an International Ministers’ Conference (with delegates from many countries across the globe – Japan, England, Canada, Australia, and Africa being some of them), concerts and radio and television appearances.

 Many high-profile performances continue to be part of Winsie-Ann’s schedule. They include singing for Miss World 2008, Special Guest features with the Government Ministries of Community Development, Education and National Security, as well as the Environmental Management Authority (EMA). The EMA and the Ministry of Education have used an award-winning drama piece of Winsie-Ann’s school in which she plays the lead role, as a central part of a special DVD presentation, to be used in all schools in her nation, and some in the region.

In August 2008, Winsie-Ann was also honoured by the Ministry of Sports and Youth Affairs, at the highly acclaimed Government National Youth Awards event. In the same month, Winsie-Ann and her energetic team joined forces with a special visiting outreach team of the Organisation of world renowned Evangelist Billy Graham, in a dynamic Evangelistic Thrust of Music and Ministry in Port-of-Spain, Trinidad.

During the 2008 Summer Vacation Winsie-Ann hit another first with a National Back-to-School Essay Competition, awarding cash prizes, as a means of “giving back” to the citizens of TT, who have greatly supported her music ministry. The response was so overwhelming, that Winsie-Ann had to increase the number of prizes.

 August was particularly a busy month, with Winsie-Ann also making significant appearances before large international audiences in Curacao, yielding results that certainly reflected another level of ministry. Her popular “Winning With Winsie-Ann” radio programme has begun broadcast on another widely-listened-to station – 95.5 Fm. The versatile Winsie-Ann keeps up her writing of articles in the leading daily newspaper Trinidad Express. She also has been featured in key publications such as Upstream Magazine, Hollywood’s Worldstars, TSTT Update Feature, Ministry of Education (Excellence in Education Feature), Ministry of Youth Affairs Awards Magazine, Livewire Magazine and Trini Beat.   

Winsie-Ann has also appeared as Special Guest Artiste at leading agencies of the corporate world namely, Republic Bank, First Citizens Bank, Digicel, The Water and Sewage Authority, TSTT and Maritime Life Limited. She has been the main feature on numerous radio, television and newspaper appearances. Winsie-Ann, Sherrose and their siblings have also been approached for movie acting roles, Hollywood magazine cover portraits and cosmetics ads. They have already taken up some of the healthier options.    

In September 2008, the popular “Trini Beat” publication named Winsie-Ann their Top Story figure, giving her the relevant prominence and honour, in all their various releases, including their Website postings.

Winsie-Ann continues to be easily one of the most sought-after Gospel artistes, and she makes it clear that heavy schedule is all for the glory of God.