Black VoicesMichelle Obamagospel musicBlack Voices

Michelle Obama On Gospel Music: 'When There's Struggle, Gospel Music Is That Ray Of Hope'

FLOTUS: 'When There's Struggle, Gospel Music Is That Ray Of Hope'
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Pop Culture Editor, HuffPost

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WASHINGTON, DC - APRIL 14: U.S. first lady Michelle Obama (2nd L) speaks as musicians Rhiannon Giddens (R) and Darlene Love (L) listen during a workshop for students on 'The History of Gospel Music' April 14, 2015 at the State Dining Room of the White House in Washington, DC. The first lady hosted middle school, high school and college students from across the country to participate in the interactive workshop for an overview of the origins of gospel music, discussions on important artists and explore the unique elements of gospel that have inspired the sound of other American musical genres. (Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images)

Michelle Obama has previously expressed her love for some of today’s biggest music artists, including Beyonce and Jennifer Lopez, through her childhood-obesity-fighting program, "Let's Move."

But Obama's love for music don't stop with pop. On Tuesday, during a special White House-arranged workshop for students on the history of gospel music, the first lady professed her love for the genre and how it has fueled her life spiritually by providing a “ray of hope.”

"It's what helps connect us to God, to that higher power," she told those in attendance, according to the Associated Press. "For so many, when times have darkened, when there's struggle, gospel music is that ray of hope and it gives you that strength."

"There's nothing like hearing a choir sing an old gospel track. When you hear that, it gets your feet tapping and your heart pumping."

Tuesday’s workshop served as a precursor to the evening’s special gospel concert, “The Gospel Tradition: In Performance at the White House.” The concert will feature performances from Pastor Shirley Caesar, Aretha Franklin, Michelle Williams and Darlene Love, among others. The event will be streamed live at WhiteHouse.gov/live beginning at 7:00 pm/ET, and will also simulcast on PBS and TV One on June 26 at 9:00pm/ET.

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Before You Go

The History of Gospel Music Workshop
First Lady Hosts Gospel Music Workshop At White House(01 of12)
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WASHINGTON, DC - APRIL 14: U.S. first lady Michelle Obama (R) speaks as musician Darlene Love (L) listens during a workshop for students on 'The History of Gospel Music' April 14, 2015 at the State Dining Room of the White House in Washington, DC. The first lady hosted middle school, high school and college students from across the country to participate in the interactive workshop for an overview of the origins of gospel music, discussions on important artists and explore the unique elements of gospel that have inspired the sound of other American musical genres. (Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images) (credit:Alex Wong via Getty Images)
First Lady Hosts Gospel Music Workshop At White House(02 of12)
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WASHINGTON, DC - APRIL 14: U.S. first lady Michelle Obama (R) speaks as musicians Lyle Lovett (L), Darlene Love (2nd L), Rodney Crowell (3rd L), and Rhiannon Giddens (4th L) listen during a workshop for students on 'The History of Gospel Music' April 14, 2015 at the State Dining Room of the White House in Washington, DC. The first lady hosted middle school, high school and college students from across the country to participate in the interactive workshop for an overview of the origins of gospel music, discussions on important artists and explore the unique elements of gospel that have inspired the sound of other American musical genres. (Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images) (credit:Alex Wong via Getty Images)
First Lady Hosts Gospel Music Workshop At White House(03 of12)
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WASHINGTON, DC - APRIL 14: Musician Darlene Love smiles during a workshop for students on 'The History of Gospel Music' April 14, 2015 at the State Dining Room of the White House in Washington, DC. U.S. first lady Michelle Obama hosted middle school, high school and college students from across the country to participate in the interactive workshop for an overview of the origins of gospel music, discussions on important artists and explore the unique elements of gospel that have inspired the sound of other American musical genres. (Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images) (credit:Alex Wong via Getty Images)
First Lady Hosts Gospel Music Workshop At White House(04 of12)
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WASHINGTON, DC - APRIL 14: U.S. first lady Michelle Obama (2nd L) speaks as musicians Rhiannon Giddens (R) and Darlene Love (L) listen during a workshop for students on 'The History of Gospel Music' April 14, 2015 at the State Dining Room of the White House in Washington, DC. The first lady hosted middle school, high school and college students from across the country to participate in the interactive workshop for an overview of the origins of gospel music, discussions on important artists and explore the unique elements of gospel that have inspired the sound of other American musical genres. (Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images) (credit:Alex Wong via Getty Images)
First Lady Hosts Gospel Music Workshop At White House(05 of12)
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WASHINGTON, DC - APRIL 14: U.S. first lady Michelle Obama speaks as musicians Rodney Crowell (L), and Rhiannon Giddens (R) listen during a workshop for students on 'The History of Gospel Music' April 14, 2015 at the State Dining Room of the White House in Washington, DC. The first lady hosted middle school, high school and college students from across the country to participate in the interactive workshop for an overview of the origins of gospel music, discussions on important artists and an exploration of the unique elements of gospel that have inspired the sound of other American musical genres. (Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images) (credit:Alex Wong via Getty Images)
First Lady Hosts Gospel Music Workshop At White House(06 of12)
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WASHINGTON, DC - APRIL 14: Musician Lyle Lovett smiles during a workshop for students on 'The History of Gospel Music' April 14, 2015 at the State Dining Room of the White House in Washington, DC. U.S. first lady Michelle Obama hosted middle school, high school and college students from across the country to participate in the interactive workshop for an overview of the origins of gospel music, discussions on important artists and an exploration of the unique elements of gospel that have inspired the sound of other American musical genres. (Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images) (credit:Alex Wong via Getty Images)
First Lady Hosts Gospel Music Workshop At White House(07 of12)
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WASHINGTON, DC - APRIL 14: Musician Michelle Williams smiles during a workshop for students on 'The History of Gospel Music' April 14, 2015 at the State Dining Room of the White House in Washington, DC. U.S. first lady Michelle Obama hosted middle school, high school and college students from across the country to participate in the interactive workshop for an overview of the origins of gospel music, discussions on important artists and explore the unique elements of gospel that have inspired the sound of other American musical genres. (Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images) (credit:Alex Wong via Getty Images)
First Lady Hosts Gospel Music Workshop At White House(08 of12)
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WASHINGTON, DC - APRIL 14: Robert Santelli (L), Executive Director of The GRAMMY Museum in Los Angeles, speaks as musicians Michelle Williams (2nd L), Lyle Lovett (3rd L), Darlene Love (4th L), Rodney Crowell (5th L), and Rhiannon Giddens (6th L) listen during a workshop for students on 'The History of Gospel Music' April 14, 2015 at the State Dining Room of the White House in Washington, DC. U.S. first lady Michelle Obama hosted middle school, high school and college students from across the country to participate in the interactive workshop for an overview of the origins of gospel music, discussions on important artists and explore the unique elements of gospel that have inspired the sound of other American musical genres. (Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images) (credit:Alex Wong via Getty Images)
First Lady Hosts Gospel Music Workshop At White House(09 of12)
Open Image Modal
WASHINGTON, DC - APRIL 14: Robert Santelli (L), Executive Director of The GRAMMY Museum in Los Angeles, and musician Michelle Williams (R) smile during a workshop for students on 'The History of Gospel Music' April 14, 2015 at the State Dining Room of the White House in Washington, DC. U.S. first lady Michelle Obama hosted middle school, high school and college students from across the country to participate in the interactive workshop for an overview of the origins of gospel music, discussions on important artists and explore the unique elements of gospel that have inspired the sound of other American musical genres. (Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images) (credit:Alex Wong via Getty Images)
First Lady Hosts Gospel Music Workshop At White House(10 of12)
Open Image Modal
WASHINGTON, DC - APRIL 14: U.S. first lady Michelle Obama (R) speaks as Robert Santelli (L), Executive Director of The GRAMMY Museum in Los Angeles, musicians Michelle Williams (2nd L), Lyle Lovett (3rd L), Darlene Love (4th L), and Rodney Crowell (5th L) listen during a workshop for students on 'The History of Gospel Music' April 14, 2015 at the State Dining Room of the White House in Washington, DC. The first lady hosted middle school, high school and college students from across the country to participate in the interactive workshop for an overview of the origins of gospel music, discussions on important artists and explore the unique elements of gospel that have inspired the sound of other American musical genres. (Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images) (credit:Alex Wong via Getty Images)
First Lady Hosts Gospel Music Workshop At White House(11 of12)
Open Image Modal
WASHINGTON, DC - APRIL 14: Robert Santelli (2nd L), Executive Director of The GRAMMY Museum in Los Angeles, speaks as musicians Michelle Williams (L), Darlene Love (3rd L), and Rodney Crowell (R) listen during a workshop for students on 'The History of Gospel Music' April 14, 2015 at the State Dining Room of the White House in Washington, DC. U.S. first lady Michelle Obama hosted middle school, high school and college students from across the country to participate in the interactive workshop for an overview of the origins of gospel music, discussions on important artists and explore the unique elements of gospel that have inspired the sound of other American musical genres. (Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images) (credit:Alex Wong via Getty Images)
First Lady Hosts Gospel Music Workshop At White House(12 of12)
Open Image Modal
WASHINGTON, DC - APRIL 14: U.S. first lady Michelle Obama (5th L) speaks as musicians Michelle Williams (L), Lyle Lovett (2nd L), Darlene Love (3rd L), Rodney Crowell (4th L), and Rhiannon Giddens (R) listen during a workshop for students on 'The History of Gospel Music' April 14, 2015 at the State Dining Room of the White House in Washington, DC. The first lady hosted middle school, high school and college students from across the country to participate in the interactive workshop for an overview of the origins of gospel music, discussions on important artists and explore the unique elements of gospel that have inspired the sound of other American musical genres. (Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images) (credit:Alex Wong via Getty Images)
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