Worship music is in constant motion, and lately the momentum has been with women stepping into more visible roles as leaders, songwriters and artists. They're not just vocalists dropped into a bridge -- they're shaping the direction of the genre itself. Some are connected to massive collectives, others are carving out solo paths, but they all share a knack for making worship feel a little more alive and a little less predictable.
Here are five female voices worth adding to your playlist:
Abbie Gamboa
Abbie has quietly become one of the most compelling voices to come out of UPPERROOM. The Dallas-based collective has built its reputation on cultivating intimacy, and Gamboa embodies that ethos. Her delivery isn't flashy, but that's what makes it powerful -- it feels like an open invitation instead of a performance.
On "Eyes Locked on the King," her voice wavers between vulnerability and strength, giving the song a texture that feels lived-in. Tracks like "Pure" and "Window for Glory to Slide In" carry the same DNA -- unhurried, contemplative, intentionally stripped back. It's worship that leaves room for the listener rather than filling every second with sound.
She's currently working on a project with Aodhan King, and if the teasers are anything to go by, this is an album that will make waves.
Zahriya Zachary
Zahriya's rise has been unconventional, and that's part of her appeal. Raised in Spring, Texas, she didn't grow up with dreams of being a worship artist. She started on piano, led worship at her church, and eventually joined Bethel Music in 2021. By 2022, she was already featured on Homecoming, leading songs like "Back to Life" and "Hymn of Heaven."
What makes Zahriya stand out is how naturally she carries weight without forcing it. Her voice is steady, warm and grounded -- more guide than performer. She now splits her time between touring with Bethel and leading worship at The Woodlands Methodist Church in Texas, keeping her connected to both local community and global audiences.
She represents the growing space for leaders who don't come with a "star" persona. People connect with her because she feels real -- her story isn't about chasing fame, it's about serving faithfully where she's planted. That groundedness has made her a voice people trust.
Anna Golden
Anna Golden has been around long enough to avoid the "up-and-coming" label, but she still carries the freshness of someone intent on doing things differently. Signed to Tasha Cobbs Leonard's Motown Gospel imprint, Anna moves easily between big stages and deeply personal songwriting. Her work with Passion ("What He's Done") showed she could hold her own in the conference setting, but her solo material -- like "Take It to Jesus" -- hits harder precisely because of its restraint.
Anna grew up immersed in music, but her approach to worship feels far from formulaic. She's been open about wanting to empower younger leaders and push for honesty in songwriting, which shows up in the way her lyrics cut through the usual clichés. Songs like "The Word" and "At the Altar" carry a poetic quality without sacrificing accessibility.
What makes Anna unique is her refusal to lean too far in either direction -- she's not chasing radio polish, but she's also not confined to lo-fi intimacy. She occupies a middle space that feels authentic, and in doing so, she's broadening what worship can sound like.
Gracie Binion
Gracie's story could've been predictable. As the daughter of longtime worship leaders David and Nicole Binion, she could have easily followed a well-trodden path. Instead, she's carved out her own lane -- one that honors her heritage but doesn't feel bound by it.
As a teenager, she co-wrote "Hunger" with Mitch Wong, a song later recorded by CeCe Winans for her Grammy-winning album Believe For It. That kind of early start might have been overwhelming, but for Gracie, it set the tone for what was possible. Now signed to BEC Recordings, she's leaning into a pop-influenced sound that bridges her church background with a more modern sensibility.
Her collaboration with Elevation Rhythm on "Goodbye Yesterday" is a perfect snapshot of where she's headed -- energetic, melodic and youthful without losing spiritual depth. Gracie connects because she's not trying to emulate what's already been done. She's part of a generation for whom worship and pop don't have to live in separate universes, and she's willing to explore the overlap.
Tiffany Hudson
Tiffany might be the most versatile of the group. Starting as an intern at Elevation Worship and eventually stepping into a core leadership role, she's now one of the collective's most recognizable voices. Her performances span the spectrum -- soft and intimate on "With You," commanding and bold on "Might Get Loud."
Her solo work has been just as strong. "The Wonderful Blood," co-written with Josh Holiday and Abbie Gamboa, reimagines a classic hymn with fresh energy. Songs like "Been So Good" highlight her ability to move between soulful delivery and anthemic worship.
What makes Tiffany unique is her instinct for balance. She knows when to hold back and when to let loose, and that dynamic range keeps her leadership compelling. In a world where many worship leaders default to either whispery minimalism or full-throttle intensity, Tiffany can do both -- and that's why her voice resonates in so many different settings.
Together, these women are widening the frame of what worship music looks and sounds like. They're not reinventing the genre overnight, but they're nudging it forward -- bringing honesty, creativity and variety into spaces that often play it safe. Each has already made an impact, and their best work is almost certainly ahead.