GRAMMY® Award winning Israel and New Breed kicked off their 2nd annual A Deeper Level Conference yesterday at Grace Church in Humble, TX, just outside Houston. 

The three-day event, which features a diverse array of speakers and guest worship leaders, is specifically designed to equip and encourage worship leaders, team members, pastors, vocalists and musicians, as well as anyone interested in cultivating a deeper worship life.  Music and ministry-specific sessions will cover a variety of topics from music theory and songwriting to production/recording and vocal techniques.

Guest speakers include Israel Houghton, Aaron Lindsay, Bishop Joseph Garlington, Hillsong Music's Miriam Webster and renowned vocal coach Brett Manning with worship provided by Integrity Music's Joel Augé among others.

In addition to the conference sessions, attendees will be treated to a "sneak peek" at the 3rd season of the hit family drama "Lincoln Heights" courtesy of sponsor ABC Family.  Also, attendees will participate in a new, live recording that takes place tonight and Friday night. (Last year's conference also included a live recording which resulted in the best-selling CD A Deeper Level.)

Israel and New Breed are the 2008 GRAMMY® Award winners for Best Pop/Contemporary Gospel Album for A Deeper Level and the 2007 GRAMMY® Award winners for Traditional Gospel Album of the Year for Alive in South Africa. They also are recipients of multiple Dove, Stellar and Soul Train Awards and have two RIAA gold-certifications for Alive In South Africa and Live From Another Level to their credit.  Israel and New Breed have been featured on FOX, CBS, ABC, BET, TBN and CBN with appearances at major events and festivals including Franklin Graham crusades and Sydney, Australia's Hillsong Conference. Group founder and co-producer Israel Houghton is a worship leader for Joel Osteen's Lakewood Church in Houston and the other members of New Breed serve within ministry roles at their respective churches.