Rodney Sharard Whitley, throughout his career, has been a producer and director of various productions. His ability to capture and turn a vision into a professional production sets him apart in ministry and corporate arenas.
A graduate of the Baltimore School for the Performing Arts and the University of Maryland, Rodney currently serves as the Minister of Worship & Arts at the Mount Olive Baptist Church in Arlington, VA, pastored by the Rev. Dr. James E. Victor, Jr. There, he produces weekly live ministry, recording events for broadcast and social media platforms. He oversees the full production and execution of every aspect of production, including music, liturgical dance, drama, music, and the audio/visual production team. He puts an impeccable stamp on the professional industry of church worshiping production as a consultant of A/V installments, helping institutions stay relevant in understanding performance, marketing, and digital platforms in the 21st century.
As the Assistant to the Musical Director for the Hampton Ministers’ Conference since 2015, Rodney has served as organist and guest Clinician for the Gospel Music Workshop of America and the Church Music Summit. Mr. Whitley additionally sits on the Board of Directors for the National Convention of Gospel Choirs and Choruses, Inc. (N.C.G.C.C.). He serves as National Supervisor for the Soloist Bureau Division and the Technology specialist. In 2020, he was honored to produce the N.C.G.C.C.’s 2020 Virtual Convention and directed the distribution of their 2020 Christmas performance virtually online.
Productions are a major part of his focus. Rodney’s career includes serving on production teams of many organizations, including the 2019 Revival of the Episcopal Diocese of Washington with Bishop Michael Curry, the Gala Celebrations at the Kennedy Center for the President of the United States, musical director for The Black Engineer of the Year Awards, and the Women of Color S.T.E.M. Awards show sponsored by Career Communications Group, Inc. of Maryland. His talents were also requested to conduct the choirs for the hit play, “God Is Trying to Tell You Something!”
Mr. Whitley’s musical achievements have taken him worldwide, including England, Wales, France, Germany, Switzerland, Austria, China, Israel, and Italy. Rodney has led choirs on various concert tours in Israel for years, with performances in Bethlehem, Jerusalem, and Nazareth.