By Steve Edgcumbe

Coatesville native and singer-songwriter Danni Peace is welcoming in the new year with a new song.

“Awaken Love” will be available beginning Jan. 12 through online music distributors such as iTunes, Apple Music, and Amazon.

Peace, 26, who was known as Danielle Wilson while growing up and attending schools in the Coatesville Area School District, is a musical artist, songwriter, and speaker.

She was born into a musical family and began singing in church at the age of 3. Growing up, she continued singing in church, school choirs, and talent shows. She also began leading worship services at her local church at 14, a practice she continues today.

As a student at Coatesville High School, Peace also had a passion for basketball. Her hoop dreams, however, were interrupted by a lack of height.

“When I realized I wasn’t going to grow anymore, to be tall enough for basketball, at about 16, I started to realize that maybe I wanted to try singing professionally,” she said.

At this time, she also started playing piano and guitar.

“In college, I started pursing singing more,” she said.

Peace graduated from West Chester University in 2014 with a degree in English and a concentration in education.

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Today, she works for Cru, the interdenominational Christian organization for college and university students, formerly known as Campus Crusade for Christ International (CCCI). The organization rebranded as Cru in 2011. There, she mentors college students at WCU and Cheyney. She enjoys her work, which has an impact on young people’s lives.

“I don’t sing (professionally) full time,” Peace said. “I would like to do singing full time at some point.”

Her singing career, however, does seem to be taking up a good chunk of her time, lately.

In January 2017, Peace released The Odyssey, a five-song project. A single (“Fingerprint”) was nominated by WSTW 93.7 FM for a Homey Award in the Best R&B song category.

In February, she appeared on West Chester’s WCHE 1520 AM and spoke with Nicole Zell, who featured some of her music on the air.

In July, she made an appearance on ABC27’s Good Day PA in the Harrisburg area and at Citizen’s Bank Park to sing “God Bless America” before a Phillies game.

Peace made her national television debut in September on ABC’s “Good Morning America” to audition for and promote American Idol.

She has also been named to Boom 103.9 FM’s 30 Under 30 Influencers of Greater Philadelphia list for her work with college students and, undoubtedly, for her singing.

So far, 2018 is off to a fast start with the release of her new song and a number of appearances already scheduled.

On Feb. 17, she will be speaking and, presumably, singing at the church-based Higher-Level Marriage Conference in Exton.

“My hopes for 2018 are to continue to spread my message of peace. For people to look for inner peace, to be willing to fight for love, to love one another and share the love of the Lord,” Peace said. “Of course, I hope for success. I hope people enjoy my music. I hope that my music will inspire people.

“I get excited to go new places and meet new people and share my music, and encourage people to follow their dreams. Because, I am following mine.”

For more information on Danni Peace, go to www.dannipeacemusic.com.