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D E L 0 N A is a multi-faceted artist who’s always embraced the philosophy: “You can do anything you put your mind to.” Raised in southern Alabama and now based in Hampton Roads, Virginia, her path has been shaped by resilience, adaptability, and a thirst for growth. Her family moved a lot as a child and roots were difficult to establish for the young artist, though she was always able to find home within her journal. Writing became her safe space where she could be known, seen and understood the most as people came and went.

By the time she reached high school, a new passion emerged--baking. Determined to attend Culinary school, she decided to pursue a free education by joining the Air Force Reserves in 2012. Military life brought her the discipline to thrive in high-energy environments and many opportunities to travel, but those experiences also came at a cost. Though she felt she had everything she needed to succeed, she silently suffered from Depression and C-PTSD. Her days turned darker over time. Internally, she was aching for true self-expression and healing which she felt could not be reached under the status of being government property. After eight years, in the midst of the pandemic, she transitioned out of the service. 

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It felt like divine orchestration—the people and experiences in her life seemed to appear at just the right moments, guiding her through a journey of transformation. Every relationship became a powerful lesson, each one holding up a mirror to show her parts of herself she hadn’t fully seen. Slowly, she began to realize that art, in all its forms, was her way of processing and embracing these truths.

Her path led her to CIPHER Tuesdays, a local open mic, where she found the space to unravel her story through writing and music. The release and fulfillment that art brought her felt like the missing piece she’d been seeking, as if she’d finally found her true direction. Around the same time, her love for culinary arts blossomed into Baked Bean's, a custom cake business that allowed her creativity to shine in a new way. But ultimately, it was the community and catharsis she found on stage that drew her fully into the arts as a way of life.

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Since then, D E L 0 N A has performed in dozens of shows and been featured in works such as Posses$ion: An Immersive Experience at The Hermitage Museum and Rosie the Riveter: A Spectacular Experience at the Military Aviation Museum with Patrick Mullins, Leila Stephanie and Trey Clarkson. She debuted original songs such as "Wanderlust" and "I am Woman" for BJ Griffin's Big Juicy Entertainment Summertime Showcase at the 17th Street Stage Virginia Beach Oceanfront with guitarist and duo band collaborator Otis Brooks. She also made an appearance as The MadScientist_Poet, a nom de plume, performing her original poetry for The Proteus Festival Block Party at Zeiders American Dream Theatre and The LGBT Life Center's 35-Year Anniversary Gala at the Women's Center of Portsmouth, Virginia with ROUGE. She can also be found amongst the cast of Sounds Made Up! an improvised musical show at the Push Comedy Theatre (Norfolk).

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D E L 0 N A’s art is inspired by her journey through life’s challenges. She is passionate about creating spaces for others to see themselves, confront their own stories, and find the courage to heal. Through her work, she hopes to reach audiences with the reminder that even through the darkest times, art can help us reclaim our voices and embrace our authentic selves.