Shara Worden is the lead singer and songwriter for My Brightest Diamond. She was previously a backup vocalist for Sufjan Stevens and the frontwoman of Awry. Shara is the daughter of a National Accordion Champion-winning father and a mother who was an organist for their Pentecostal church. Worden grew up in Ypsilanti, MI, listening to gospel, jazz, and classical music and performing in the church choir. Worden moved throughout her childhood, and attended the University of North Texas. After college Worden moved to New York City, where she continued to study opera on the Upper West Side during the day. In 2006, Shara was nominated for Female Artist of the Year in the PLUG Independent Music Awards. She made a guest appearance on the Jedi Mind Tricks album Servants in Heaven, Kings in Hell. In 2003 Shara Worden played xylophone and keyboard, and sang background vocals on two tracks of the CD "Recession Special" by Bogs Visionary Orchestra.
