Aryes

Growing up in a very cultured family made life for young Aryes a story within itself. She was born to Lorrain Smith and Eric Armstrong the day before a major winter storm in Rochester New York, March 29, 1986. As a young child she often traveled along states in the East Coast with her mother and younger sister La' Toni Cromes who were also musically inclined as well.

Aryes childhood was not the typical passage that most have growing up. She was a student of almost 20 different elementary and middle schools across 4 states. Making friends was a trait Aryes developed to adjust to the frequent moves.

During Aryes teen years she was involved with sports, student government and other extra curricular activities. At age 13 able to hold down a job and in the summer she spent them working up the ranks in Rochester Housing Authority, eventually becoming a Day Camp Supervisor. Rochester Housing Authority was where Aryes learned some the life skills that have shaped her life today. This list of influential people include community leaders such as Anthony Jordan and Tanishia Johnson were some of the first influential people in Aryes life as they looked out for her well being and pushed her to accomplish her dreams with the aid of a good education.

Aryes graduated from Bishop Kearney Catholic High School in 2004. She was accepted into Seton Hall University where she majored in English. Because of financial reasons Aryes only completed one semester. Returning to Rochester was depressing for Aryes especially after a trip with mom Lorrain and aunt Ella Rush to New Jersey almost cost her everything. In a 17-car pile-up, Aryes along with a EMT were seriously injured.

Without missing a beat, she recovered in record time and enrolled at Monroe Community College. It was at this intuition that Aryes began to focus on her talents. Leadership was not something Aryes shied away from. She was not the typical authoritative leader but rather focused on establishing respect. In her first semester she decided she was going to be a Resident Assistant on the campus of her college. During these two years she meet Tameka Jones and Diamond Mitchell, with the addition of a high school friend Natalie Sheppard they created the harmonious quartet called Essence. The preformed on small levels in Rochester at venues such as the Blue Cross Arena and were the singers for the National Anthem for the Men's Basketball team. They disbanded in 2007. It was then she decided that she was going to pursue music passionately as before.

In 2008, Aryes gave birth to her first child London. London was named because at the time of Aryes pregnancy she was taking a class that involved going to London and was not able to attend because of the pregnancy. Life proved to be as real as real could get for the young songstress who was destined to be great but not yet aware of her full potential. After marring her high-school sweetheart in 2010, for almost 8 years Aryes lived a nomadic life. From facing many obstacles like moving back and forth from New Jersey to New York and being chronically homeless and living with friends, she was able to gather material through her own difficult life experiences.

As her unique style developed, she soon saw a loyal fan base begin to grow and she is becoming a popular hit with the young crowd. Her natural beauty pulls you in, but it is her positive energy and humbleness that captures your heart. Aryes is focusing this first collaboration of songs on that never ending positive energy that it takes to 'simply enjoy life'.

In addition to Teedra Moses, Aryes musical influences include Tamia, Brandy and Christina Aguilera and Beyoncé. As her ambitions continue to grow, her personal connections to her community such as Julius Dicks and Jacquie Campbell have inspired her to never quit because as long as there are ears and voices there will be music.