My Current Bio

Lily Cruz is best known for creating a unique fusion of her seamless contemporary sound with the energy of her Latin background.

Born in Orange County, CA she quickly discovered her talents at the age of 4 and by 14 had fully submerged herself into music ministry. Shortly after, she was discovered by a growing group and Independent, Christian Record company within the Apostolic and Pentecostal movements called CT records, based in Santa Ana, CA. Lily debuted on a CT Records production, El Poder Del Pentecostes in (2001) Soon after, she became an integral part of a breakout group known as BELIEVE with whom she traveled throughout the US and Mexico.

Over the past few years she has refined herself as a worship leader, recording artist, and songwriter; gathering a strong and growing fan base in both the Hispanic and English Christian communities. The versatility of her voice has transcended vocal barriers, recording in various musical styles. But her passion lies in connecting with others through the messages in her songs. She continues to minister internationally in various venues, however when she is not traveling she can surely be found Leading Worship at her home church in Fontana, CA. www.fountainoftruth.com.

Lily, among various artists, was featured on the Spanish version of Maranatha Music’s best-selling series titled Top 25 Alabanzas Para Hoy (2005) (Praises for Today), a recording that captured the number one position on the Christian Latin Music charts and showcased the groups rare ability to cross barriers, musically and culturally. As well as Adorar Vol. 1 (2006) nominated for a Dove award for Spanish album of the year, produced by renowned, Dove and Grammy nominee, Phil Sillas. She later appeared on TBN/ENLACE broadcasting network with performances viewed through out Latin America.

In late 2007, Lily released her first single titled FAITH, which was made available on several online stores including itunes.com and instantly because a success as her music was assessable throughout the world.

Currently Lily is working closely with Producer Phil Sillas to complete what will be ADORAR Vol. 2 (2010). She also is producing background vocals for a variety of artists and is in pre-production on her solo record ready for release in early 2011.

Ultimately, she is propelled by an unwavering faith and purpose, to deliver a message, “I am confident that my purpose is to Exalt Christ and be a voice that he can use to reach a lost soul... my desire is that my music will deposit Faith, Hope and Love in the hearts of those that are listening, and will be encouraged to draw closer to God.”

Music production is not for Normal people.. lol

Sooooo another incredible session at aarborn studios today. We arranged the first song for my Ep and its sounds pretty amazing, im really happy with the direction this production already.. Working with Aaron, Matt and Jared was beyond me.. hahahah These guys obviously know music and what they want to hear for this particular song. It was pretty overwelming to hear my lyrics turn into this really beautiful song and hott track.. =D

I'm so greatful that God continues to be in the midst of this production, and that even in our quick prayers during our sessions i can feel such a peace and wonderful presence in our midst. Thank you Jesus!

This project has become my "baby", I can't say that its a continuation of what we started 3 years ago because its so much more.. this music projest has taken on a life of its own. The team I've blessed to work with are more then i could ask for, our thoughts and desires for this production are definitly "singing in unison".. =)

God has been depositing thoughts and messages in my heart to share with people, and as i was reflecting on some recent conversations with friends that i love dearly, i thought about their current events in life, and how dark their lives seem because of the situations they find themselves in. So much pain, hopelessness, anger and dissappointment.. I thought to myself, God there's nothing you can't handle.. you can turn it all around for them in a sec.. Sometimes, our faith or lack thereof plays a lead role in the direction our lives take.. Although God has a devine destiny for us all, i believe each day he is writing new chapters in our lives...

God I pray mercy on my friends right now, may your love surround them where ever they are.. give peace to those that have none, love to those that feel none, and hope to those that see, none... Amen..

And So it Begins....

Yesterday was my first writing/studio session at Aarborn Studios..

I have the priviledge of incorporating into our upcoming productions some of the musical elements that God has placed in my life and ministry. People that have been a vital influence on my ministry of music and definitly amazing friends. On Tuesday 10/12 I met with producer Aaron Barbosa, to listen to some new music, record some reference vocals, and share some thoughts and ideas as far as the direction of the upcoming production.. It feels so great to "do what I love", and feels even better to know that God is IN IT... Last Week i met with Hez &Co, to discuss some strategies in completing this production, image and content of the record as well as how we will incorporate all of our creative ideas in a timely manner... we set a tentative release Month, MARCH 2011.. I could not be more excited, all of the people involved in this production share the same vision and desires to create music that will reach people in a very special and unique way. My heart is overwelmed with the support and encouragement so many have given me to finally get this musical journey started and i feel incredibly honored to have this oppertunity God has placed before me to be a part of such a Special project...

ITS A NEW SEASON

Its a New Season, literally... AUTUMN has begun and the temperatures are slightly changing.. I'm loving it so so much! I'm really excited about the next couple months.. The Holidays always are my favorite time of the year. Besides the annual holiday cheer this time brings, there are also alot of things happening and doors opening that Im not sure which door to walk through but I know God will guide me.

Getting ready for my Chicago Trip the first week of November, First time in CHI and in communication with the event planners, we've become good friends and we are excited for what God is going to do at the Congreso.. I'm working on my songlist for that 4 day event and spiritually preparing myself so that God will have his way and use me to touch someones life.. I pray that the undignified desire in my heart to worship Christ is contageous and impacting.. Lord I need more of you...

Thank YOU!

Where do i begin!!! its been a while and so much has happened.. First of all I have to start by saying that I'm so greatful for all that God is doing in my life, i'm so inlove with HIM!! He has truely made me over and this last year has been a roller coaster but I've learned who i am, and most importantly where im going.. A new me; happier, healthier, motivated to finally reach some long lost goals as well as some new ones.. Im so blessed to have a wonderful family who supports me, friends that stand by me ....

And now with the help and direction of God, I'm about to embark on the production of my EP.. its been 3 years and im back in the studio, writing, arranging and loving every minute of it. I am fortunate to know some amazing producers, musicians, writiers, arrangers etc, that believe I'm worth workin with and believe in my ministry and that means the world to me, collaborating with them has and will be unforgettable.. I am convinced that now im ready to do this, im not who i was 3 years ago... and inspite of the challenges, set backs, and sometimes hurts, i had to endure it all to become what i am today.. God never ceases to amaze me.. I now know that.... "He watched over me, covered me because of all the plans he has for me".... and simply because He loves me.. God's love is never ending, it wasn't enough for him to endure what he did on a cross, for my sins.. Today he continues to show mercy, grace and love.. His love is overwhelming.. I will forever serve YOU with all of me! Thank You!

In his presence Vol. II- live from the "BIG APPLE"

Wow ! months of preparation, weeks of rehearsing material, hrs of studio time and finally the week of In His Presence Vol. II was here. 

I arrived in NYC on monday 6/8 around 6pm, there  I waited for the Hibberts to pick me up from La Guardia Airport. There after we went to pick up my girlly Tinu Diaz from the Bronx. After we headed out to Newburgh. we stopped for dinner at this yummy asian restaurant called Stir Crazy. and did a little shopping at the Palasades mall. Then continued to Newburgh and straight to our hotel. Jontez arrived that same night, we hung out for alittle bit then all just went to bed, I was alil worn out from our all day traveling. Tuesday around noon we went to lunch then straight to church for rehearsal, the other singers were arriving tuesday evening. Jon/Tinu/Pastor Tony and I were in the studio all day, recording stems for U Turn, a very hot song I might add. There after the other singers arrived and we rehearsed the other new songs we hadn't heard. we were singing for a total of 8 hrs all together.. whew.. we had dinner that night and then rehearsed alittle more before we called it a night then we straight to our hotel to sleep around midnight. The next day we arrived at the church again for more rehearsing around noon. this was a 12 hr day for all the singers.. CRAZY CRAZY CRAZY, and yes by the end of the night a couple of use were not feeling that great.. Nathan, Tinu and I were fighting some cold symptoms.. ;) we had every type of medicine you can think us to keep us alive for the recording, lol!! Vitamin C, Echinacea, Tylenol multi symptom, throat lozenges, and Unisom to try and get some sleep in the midst of all the drama with our bodies, lol! That night we got back to our hotel rooms around 2am... thursday we had the day off, because due to an emergency the music director Byron Williams was not able to flying into NYC until thursday evening. So we all slept alot on thursday, it was great. I got my voice back and felt all rested up. Friday we all caravan'd to QUEENS, took Tinu to the Hospital to meet with her boys and family because they boys were sick :(, then the rest of us went to check into our hotel in Queens. shortly after around 830 we took off to rehearsal. We rehearsed and Oneness Pentecostal church from 9pm to 3am.. not good, my voice left the building once again!! lol

crazy thing that happened that night was that we were starving cause we hadnt eaten anything since we left Newburge around 2pm and after going thru the set a couple times we had no energy to continue and so we took a break. Around midnight the only thing open around the church was a chinese food place across the street. we all went and grabbed some food, during our wait there, need i say its not the safest neighborhood in Queens so we were approached by a few guys claiming they were doing a documentary and wanted us to step outside so they could take a photo of us.. uhhhhhh NO!!! they probably wanted to mug us. Then a Girl rushed into the restaurant out of no where she came into to ask for a bottle of soda, none available she walked outside and started arguing with this guy who appeared to be her significant other, they started arguing, he hit her, she grabbed a bottle of hairspray and sprayed him with it.. Umm we had front row seats as we watched from the INSIDE of the chinese food place. hahahah They left and we all grabbed our food and rushed back to the church across the street. we ate then poor Oli got sick----- NOT GOOD, but nothing some alkaselzer couldnt fix... then we ran thru our set once again. by this time it was 230.. we were all done the singers had nothing left.. So we were released to go back to the hotel. Got in around 3am and went straight to bed. Saturday- RECORDING DAY, tinu my room mate and I got up and walked a few blocks to a diner for breakfest. First time we ate breakfast the whole week, lol. it was pretty good, we took a cab back cause we realized we only had alittle time to shower and get our things read to head out to recording spot. They drove us all to the Church - New Life Tabernacle around 230,  got in, went down to dressing rooms, sound check, got dressed, then concert time! We had a great time at the Concert I definitly have some great memories from this trip. When we were ministering I felt such an incredible presence, I was literally shaking and felt I was gonna pass out because I was so nervous when I did my solo, being that my voice wasn't all there, but Thank God he took over and I just followed HIS lead. Pastor Tony Hibbert was Incredible and the BAND was AMAZING!! We had such a blast!! 

Expolit 2009/Miami/Orlando/Friends!!!

I had such an amazing time last week in Miami.. Our Adventure began Thursday night, Poncho,Kanelo and I arrived to the Ontario Airport to catch our 1255am flight to Orlando, Fl. Yes a RED EYE, my first one ever and i did not like it at all. Anyhow, we finally arrived in Orlando on Thursday at 11:15am because our flight was slightly delayed coming out of IAH airport in Houston, TX.  But we were happy to be there, safe and sound. Our Good Friend Eric Lopez picked us up at the airport along with his mom, it was so good to finally see him again after several months and meet his momma, whom we all talked to but never met in person! La Famosa Chrissy!! lol I caught a glimpse of Orlando as we got on the road to Miami.. All I can say is wow, really beautiful and did I mention that there are lakes everywhere?!?!?!?!? Lakes, everywhere and you are able to pull over and fish in the lakes umm pretty much anywhere you want.. We arrived to our hotels, checked in.. We stayed at the Westin in Coral Gabel and loved it, that evening we had dinner and had dessert at Houstons, so so so  yummy! The next day we went to meet up with everyone at Expolit, it was sooo coool to meet so many different people in the industry, and we also ran into our Good Friend Andy Andrade from the band Sueno de Heroe.. So happy they signed a distribution deal with Vida, and were there promoting their new album!! hung out with Eric, whom introduced us to everyone and their mommas, Eric is the bomb!! We networked alittle in the exhibitors arena, then took off to Mary Alessi's church for an integrity Sound Check. Their church is gorgeous, the interior decoration was lovely! We arrived and met Ingrid Rosario, and then were escorted inside to start sound check with Eric Lopez. The Band that integrity hired as phenominal, the director was Ingrid Rosario's husband/drummer.. We went thru Eric 's songs twice, it sounded perfect.. i was way nervous though because I had to fill in for christine during rehearsal and do her leads to Devuelveme, in front of Ingrid Rosario and Ana Laura-Chavez.. yeaaaaaah super nerve racking but I got thru it,  wink wink, hehe. Then after we returned to Expolit Event to watch/support our friend Christine D'Clario in Concert that night. She ROCKED!!! she debuted her new music video- Padre Nuestro and it was soooo great! The concert was really long, jajajaja.. but we made the best of it! After the Concert Eric, took us to a famous Cuban restuarant called La Carreta.. wow, never had cuban food before but it was delicious.. Saturday we woke up early, went to have breakfast, then got ready and went to sound check at 4pm.. there we met all the Integrity Artists we hadn't met yet..  We saw Julissa and Mike, it was great to see them again, she looked beautiful as always, we met Kari Jobe- wow, anointed!! We met Freddy Rodriguez- love his music, Ana Laura-Chavez and Danilo Montero were also there.. Sound check was cool, poncho and I switched out with the other BGV's that were singing for the other integrity artist other then Eric Lopez, he decided to get is own, hahahahaha!!!! After soundcheck we just kinda hung out there at the Expolit hotel and helped Eric get ready for the big concert.. We're such good friends. I didn't do much just approve his outfit, hahah ;)!!!! we walked over to the event around 830, and took our seats.. That evening was so awesome. Integrity put together a really great concert and all the artists did very well!! I especially loved, Kari Jobe, Eric Lopez and Freddy Rodriguez' sets because I could sing along to their songs.. But I also enjoyed julissa and danilo montero- he ministered in such an amazing way, I was in tears.. So all in all, it was a great nite. Our awesome friend Eric, chose to hang out with us over all the integrity artists that evening after the show and we along with christine/carlos/stephanie and chris went to flannigans for dinner! Good Times, laughs and great conversations.. I'll never forget christines analogy in the parking lot, deeeep.. and she scared the heck outta poncho!!! lol 

Sunday we slept in, kinda then drove to the expolit hotel to pick up Eric and Crissy.. Then we drove to thru South beach and down town Miami a bit.. Sooo beautiful! then drove home to Orlando in much much RAIN, finally I saw all the thunder storms and lightning that my iphone was talking about thru yahoo weather, lol..... We hung out that evening, poncho and I cooked.. Monday we saw Orlando a bit.. loved the mall, loved the sites, went to bahama breeze-yummy. It pretty much rained all day sunday/monday/tuesday so we pretty much stayed in doors.. then tuesday we got up got ready, and suddenly an hr before we had to leave to airport, poncho realizes he does not have his passport not identification to fly back home. He had left his passport at the hotel in Miami.. uuuuugh, we were worried he wouldn't be able to fly, that he'd have to stay and make arrangements to get a FL id or something... he was about to cry, lol..jk

so finally I called the airline and explained the situation. They assured us that they can make arrangements when he checked in. He just had to go thru additional screening and luckily he had a costco card with his name and photo on it.. God is good!!  We arrived in Ont last night around 8pm, and I said goodbye to my traveling buddies. Kanelo and Poncho!!! We had a great time and miss our FL friends but we're happy to be home and now back to reality.