Rehya Stevens is not only a gifted and highly praised singer-songwriter — she is an intuitive storyteller whose music explores the rich terrain of human emotion. Few artists traverse the complexities of love, faith, joy, and perseverance with such grace and melodic eloquence. Stevens has built a reputation for crafting songs that are emotionally resonant, deeply relatable, and infused with a warmth that lingers long after the last note fades.

Her music radiates joy and sincerity — particularly in her acclaimed collection of holiday albums that celebrate kinship, nostalgia, and unity. At a time when disconnection and uncertainty often dominate the cultural climate, Rehya’s music offers an antidote of light: a space for reflection, healing, and shared humanity.

“I think the love of music has always driven me to figure out what makes me, and what makes other people tick — emotionally and spiritually,” Rehya says. “It’s allowed me to express our common yearnings, and, in turn, offer what I hope is a valuable form of therapy through music.”

Early Life and Influences

Born in Pasadena, California, Rehya grew up surrounded by music and creativity. Her father, Peter Martin — a keyboardist and arranger for Diana Ross & the Supremes, Bobby Caldwell, and Bill Medley of The Righteous Brothers — also composed and arranged for Disney’s Mickey Mouse Club during the late 1970s. Her mother, Susan, worked as a medical transcriptionist and nurtured Rehya’s love of words and storytelling.

After the family relocated to Rocklin, California, Rehya began piano lessons and discovered songwriting at an early age. She immersed herself in the works of Etta James, Dinah Washington, and Sarah Vaughn, alongside pop and R&B icons Michael Jackson, Whitney Houston, Prince, Sade, and George Michael.

“At school I was that peculiar kid walking around the field or sitting under a tree, writing songs,” she recalls. “Music had me — I was deep into it.”

2001 – Rehya Stevens EP

After moving to Los Angeles to attend the Musician’s Institute’s Keyboard Institute of Technology (K.I.T.), Rehya released her debut self-titled EP in 2001. Produced by Glenn Allen and recorded with a team of talented peers — including session guitarist Michael Landau — the six-song collection fused pop, Americana, and soul influences, touching on social justice, love, and resilience.

The EP garnered early industry interest, catching the attention of Scott Welch (manager of Alanis Morissette) and positioning Rehya as an emerging artist with both emotional intelligence and a distinctive voice.

2013 – Vintage Love

A decade later, Stevens unveiled Vintage Love — a 13-song statement of artistic maturity and emotional depth. Drawing on the lush textures of jazz-pop, R&B, and neo-soul, the album blended modern pop sensibility with timeless influences such as Lisa Stansfield, Sade, and Quincy Jones.

Lyrically, Vintage Love explored romance, empowerment, and self-discovery, marking a pivotal chapter in Rehya’s evolution from performer to fully realized songwriter-producer.

2018 – Celebrate

Rehya’s next release, Celebrate, marked her breakthrough as a holiday music artist. Composed entirely of original Christmas songs, the album became a seasonal favorite and a staple in film and television placements. Its songs were featured in Noelle (Disney+), The War With Grandpa (theatrical), Black Christmas (theatrical), Sense, Sensibility & Snowmen (Hallmark), All Rise (CBS), The 12 Dates of Christmas (HBO Max), and campaigns for Victoria’s Secret, among others.

The track “Happy Holiday” reached No. 2 on the Billboard Smooth Jazz chart, while “Jingle Jangle” earned the Hollywood Music in Media Award for Best Holiday Song (2019). Critics hailed Celebrate as “beautifully produced, perfectly melodic and deeply satisfying,” with Merry and Bright calling it “a great soundtrack for a Christmas-season evening at home.”

2021 – ’Tis the Season

Building on that success, Rehya released ’Tis the Season in 2021 — a joyful blend of eight originals and three beloved classics. Produced in collaboration with Grammy-nominated Tom Keane (Chaka Khan, Barbra Streisand, Chicago), Jon Kubis (Dancing with the Stars), Gardner Cole (Madonna), and Michael Ripoll (Stevie Wonder), the album showcased Rehya’s versatility and deep understanding of what makes holiday music timeless.

MyMerryChristmas.com praised it as “warm, bold and festive… from sacred to secular, from joyous to reflective — it’s all there.”

2023 – Santa’s Takin’ Over the Town

Rehya’s 2023 release, Santa’s Takin’ Over the Town, continued her reign as one of contemporary music’s most original voices in the Christmas genre. Brimming with big-band sparkle, soulful pop, and heartfelt ballads, the album embodies her gift for fusing classic holiday nostalgia with modern production and lyrical wit.

Film & Television Songwriting

Beyond her albums, Stevens’ music has appeared in dozens of television shows, films, and ad campaigns. Her songs have been featured across major networks and studios including Disney+, CBS, Hallmark, HBO Max, Lifetime, and more.

Most recently, she contributed multiple tracks — including “Ride or Die,” “Love Party,” and “Yeah Yeah (We Got It)” — to the Lifetime Original Movie Secrets of a Celebrity Nanny (2023). Her earlier song “Upside Down” appeared in Lifetime’s Kidnapped: The Hannah Anderson Story.

Marylata Eton, music supervisor for Shrek, Antz, and The Prince of Egypt, calls Stevens “an exceptional writer,” while Randy Spendlove, President of Music at Paramount Pictures, affirms, “Our industry is at a higher standard because of Rehya’s dedication to excellence.”

Legacy and Vision

“I never wanted to just be a singer,” Rehya affirms. “I love to sing — but even more, I love to write songs. I think great songs are great healers.”

Across a catalog that spans over two decades — from her introspective Vintage Love to her exuberant holiday classics — Rehya Stevens continues to create music that uplifts, inspires, and connects. Her songs remind us that, no matter the season, joy and hope are timeless gifts meant to be shared.

-Lee Zimmerman