Explain in one sentence what it is you do.

I am a wife, mother, grandmother, musician, professor of music, chairwoman of the voice division, and conductor of the University of Illinois Black Chorus.

What time do you typically get up? What do you do the first hour of the morning?

Between 6 and 6:30 a.m. Pray and read my Bible.

What did you have for lunch today? Where? Who with?

Mixed green salad at home alone.

Best high school memory?

Being elected the school's mascot queen "Miss Mustang"

Tell me about your favorite pair of shoes.

I have two favorites: a pair of silver satin Christian Louboutin's halter pumps and a pair of black sequined Manolo Blahnik Mary Jane's – neither are especially comfortable, but both are incredibly stylish and beautiful.

What does a perfect Sunday afternoon include?

Safe travel from an edifying worship service, a delicious dinner with my family and friends, a short nap after dinner, followed by dessert and lively conversation and music.

Was there one book you read as a child that you still cherish? Own? Read?

The Bible. I own several different translations of the Bible and read the Bible often.

Where on Earth are you dying to go? Why?

Nowhere especially. Madrid would be nice.

Tell me about your favorite pet.

I had a little puppy that I rescued from the side of a hill when I was around 10 or 11. He had been abandoned. I first heard him whimper at night and wanted to get him right away, but my mother made me wait until morning. I stayed up all night listening to him. I named him Dexter.

Have you discovered as you matured that you are becoming like one of your parents? Which one and how?

I am becoming my mother in every way – appearance, conversation, facial expressions, gestures, etc.

What would you order for your last meal?

Shrimp cocktail, a salad with ranch dressing, filet mignon, baked potato with butter and sour cream, spinach, green beans, broccoli, cheese cake, chocolate cake, pralines and cream ice cream, Coca-cola, peach iced tea and water.

What can you NOT live without?

My Bible.

Who do you have on your iPod?

Beethoven's Third Symphony, Fred Hammond, Donnie McClurkin, Kurt Carr, Mozart's Le Nozze di Figaro.

What's the happiest memory of your life?

I have so many happy memories. My life is so wonderful. My Christian conversion; my wedding day; the births of my four children and grandson.

If you could host a dinner party with anyone – living or dead – who would you invite?

Jesus Christ, John the Baptist, Nelson Mandela, Marian Anderson.

What's the best piece of advice you've given?

Live unapologetically, in the full weight of your personality, gifting and calling. Spend your life investing in others.

What's the best piece of advice you've received?

Live unapologetically, in the full weight of your personality, gifting and calling. Do what is best for you and it will be what is best for everyone else.

What was your first job, and how much did you make an hour?

I worked one summer when I was 16 years old as a file clerk for the Social Security Administration in Fayetteville, W.Va. I earned $2.35 an hour, I believe.

Do you have a bad habit? What is it?

I'm sure I do. My husband, the Rev. Harold Davis, could tell you best what it is.

How do you handle a stressful situation?

I first take a deep breath, then say a prayer. I then deliberately engage the situation at a slower pace in a measured way.

What was a pivotal decision in your career, and how did you arrive at that decision?

I was offered a faculty position as an Assistant Professor at West Virginia University in Morgantown in the spring of 1984. With West Virginia being my home state, and the University, the flagship institution, I was delighted with the offer to teach there. My husband and I thought that perhaps this was our opportunity to move closer to home. At the time, I had completed all coursework for the DMA, and had only the exams, project and recitals remaining. Harold was teaching music in the Champaign Unit No. 4 School District. We also had two beautiful children (Kirstie and Jonathan) and were expecting our third (Ashley). We were set to move, after visiting Morgantown, signing the contract, and putting a deposit on a house.

We had other details to attend to, and we continued in prayer regarding this life decision. During a Sunday morning worship service, about three weeks before we were to move, I received in my spirit that this was not the move we were to make. I shared this with Harold and we continued to pray that day. Early the next morning I called the chairman of the Music School at WVU with my decision to decline the offer and asked to be released from the contract. He respected our faith and agreed to release me, after asking if I would come the following year. I could not make that promise.

This was pivotal in our personal and professional lives. Through prayer, we came to this decision. We knew God had clearly spoken. We didn't have the details of our future, but we knew that immediate obedience to God's clear leading was essential. This has become a theme of our lives.