Born and raised in Chicago, Shena! learned to read music and play the piano as a teenager. She has also studied under the tutelage of Elsa Harris, a leading instructor and performer who toured with legendary gospel artist Jessy Dixon. A gifted songwriter, she realized that music was her calling when she received acclaim for her songs in Europe. In 2010, her inspirational song, Behind the Scenes, received praise when it hit the radio airwaves in Chicago.