JOYCE GAMBRELL DRAYTON began her musical career under the guidance of her mother, the late Georgia E. Gregory. Joyce served as accompanist for the Cheyney State College Concert Choir under the direction of the late D. Jack Moses where she received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Elementary Education. Joyce continued her education studies at Temple University, earning a Master of Social Work degree as she served as vice president of her class.

MUSIC APPOINTMENTS:
1984 - Assistant to Gregory Hopkins with the Philadelphia City Wide Revival Choir.
1987- Served as Director for the Pennsylvania State Baptist Convention Music Workshop 1987-90...
1987-2010; 2013 Appointed Director, City Wide Revival Choir for The Baptist Pastors Missionary Conference.
1987 – 2015   Director, the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Mass Choir of Philadelphia & Vicinity.
1992 Member, The Billy Graham Crusade Executive Music Board held in Philadelphia.
1998 Elected to the American Guild of Organists Executive Board as one of the first two African-Americans to be elected to the two-year position.
1998 – 2006 Assistant Instructor, James Cleveland Gospel Music Workshop of America, Inc., Academic Division.
2002 – 2009 Conference Musician, The Baptist Ministers Conference of Philadelphia & Vicinity, The Missionary Baptist Pastors Conference of Philadelphia & Vicinity and The Pennsylvania Eastern Keystone Baptist Association; and
2006 – Present   Faculty Instructor, James Cleveland Gospel Music Workshop of America, Inc., Academic Division.

MUSIC ACCOMPLISHMENTS:
Founder and President, Church Musicians Services, Inc., (a church musician’s referral service. Lena McLean and Willis Barnett have honored her with dedications of compositions.) Provided platforms for renowned Afro American Composers and Directors of Sacred Music to share their ministry and presented CMS, Inc. Awards to enhance the visibility of accomplishments in Sacred Music.
1994 Publisher, “Distinguished Church Musicians in the United States,” a publication that enlightens the public about the training and accomplishments of church musicians across the U.S. She is recipient of many awards for outstanding service as a church musician.
1997 Produced and Recorded First Album, I’ve Been Washed in the Blood” With MLK, Jr. Mass Choir.
Also recorded by the Enon Tabernacle Baptist Church Choir, Rev. Dr. Alyn Waller, and Pastor.
1999 – Present Founder and Executive Director, The Georgia E. Gregory Interdenominational School of Music (GEGISOM) named in memory of Joyce’s mother who was also a church musician. The school is dedicated to decreasing at –risk attitudes and behaviors of disadvantaged youth by offering wholesome out of school and summer programming in music and dance. Provide jobs and training of future church musicians; youth and interested members of any congregation.  A safe space for youth, adults, and seniors to explore their artistic and cultural potential in the arts.  To date, GEGISOM has served over 5000 youth and 450 adults with music or dance education and hired or placed over 289 artists in music related jobs. Emphasis is on the holistic development of the child.
2015- Organized with several organizations in the community the first “Allegheny Avenue Arts Fest.”
First African American female to serve on the American Guild of Organist (Philia) Board of Directors.
2006 –Recipient “Member of the Year” Pro Arts Society.
2013 - Recipient of Committee Person of the Year Award from Cheltenham Democrats.
2016 - Recipient of Award from Omega Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority on behalf of GEGISOM.
2016- Recipient of Councilman David Cohen Award from The Philadelphia Cultural Fund.
2017 –Recipient of Drexel University Gospel Choir “Legends in Gospel Music “Award at the Mandell Theater.
2018- Recipient of the National Association of Negro Musicians Eastern Region “Outstanding Musical Community Contributions”  Award.
2019 - Recipient of the National Guild for Community Arts Education “Milestone” Award
2020   Resolution from City Councilwoman Cindy Bass for legacy of leadership and achievement in music education.
2021- Member of Councilman’s Isaiah Thomas ‘Arts & Culture Task Force for the City of Philadelphia.
2023  Awarded Doctorate of Sacred Music degree Honoris Causa from the Wayland Baptist Theological Seminary, Inc.

PERSONAL:
TO DATE, JOYCE has served more than 65 years in the music ministry of Nazarene Baptist Church and as a church musician in the Philadelphia area. JOYCE IS a member of the W. Russell Johnson Music Guild, American Guild of Organist (AGO), a 75-year member of the Nazarene Baptist Church and serves on the Deaconess Board. She is married to Deacon Standrick Drayton and is the proud mother of one (1) son, Cecil, Jr. Serves as Democratic Committee Person and Ward Leader for Cheltenham Township. Member of the NAACP; Lifetime Member of Cheyney University Alumni; Daughter of Christian parents Georgia and Lee Gregory.