Taya Smith, born on May 10, 1989, in Lismore, New South Wales, Australia, is an Australian gospel singer, songwriter, and worship leader.
She rose to international recognition as the lead voice of Hillsong United’s 2013 anthem “Oceans (Where Feet May Fail).”
That song spent a record-setting 61 weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot Christian Songs chart.
Who is Taya Smith?
Taya Smith, now professionally known as TAYA and also known by her married name Taya Gaukrodger, is an Australian gospel singer and songwriter.
She first gained global attention through her work with Hillsong United, the internationally recognized Australian worship band.
Her lead vocals on “Oceans (Where Feet May Fail)” turned her into one of the most recognizable voices in contemporary Christian music. That track became the top Christian song of 2014 and 2016 on the Billboard year-end charts.
Taya later stepped out on her own, signing with Capitol CMG and releasing her self-titled debut solo album in May 2022. Her follow-up, The Reminder, arrived in April 2025.
Since her career began, she has performed live for more than 10 million people across 12 countries on six continents. Her catalog has surpassed one billion career streams globally.
In April 2023, Taya resigned from Hillsong Church after a decade on staff, on the exact tenth anniversary of the Zion album release. She has continued releasing music as a solo artist through Capitol CMG.
Early Life of Taya Smith
Taya grew up on the far north coast of New South Wales, in the small town of Lismore. Her parents are Lesley-Leanne and Ronald Arthur, and she has two sisters, Shenae and Elya.
She grew up in a Christian household and became involved with her local church at an early age. That church connection shaped her path toward music long before she became a professional singer.
Taya served as a youth group leader in Lismore and also sang on the church worship team during those early years. In 2010, at age 21, she moved to Sydney to pursue a career in the creative arts and secular music.
Her move to Sydney led her into Hillsong Church’s City Campus. She joined as a volunteer in the youth and young adults ministries, as well as the church creative team.
Taya Smith Age
Taya Smith is 37 years old as of 2026, born on May 10, 1989. Her zodiac sign is Taurus. She recorded her breakthrough vocals for “Oceans” at 23, during a brief holiday break from working in retail.
Taya Smith Ethnicity and Nationality
Taya is Australian by nationality, born and raised in New South Wales. Her ethnic background is white Australian.
She grew up in a Christian family in the regional town of Lismore, which she has credited as the foundation for her faith and her music career.
Taya Smith Height and Weight
Taya stands 6 feet tall, equivalent to approximately 1.83 meters. Her weight has not been publicly confirmed.
She has a slim, tall build that gives her a commanding stage presence during live performances.
Taya Smith Musical Style and Influences
Taya’s music sits within contemporary Christian and gospel music, drawing on worship, pop, and country-influenced production. Her debut solo album leaned into what she called an “old school record,” built around stories of faith, kindness, and God’s faithfulness.
Her voice is defined by warmth and clarity, suited both to quiet, intimate worship settings and large arena performances.
During her time with Hillsong United, she developed alongside bandmates including Joel Houston, Matt Crocker, Jonathon Douglass, and Dylan Thomas.
Her debut solo single “For All My Life” carried a contemporary country-tinged tone. She co-wrote it with producers Jon Guerra and Hank Bentley, signaling a move toward more personal songwriting outside the Hillsong collaborative model.
Taya Smith Education
Taya attended school in Lismore, New South Wales, before relocating to Sydney in 2010. Her formal education details have not been publicly confirmed.
She spent six years studying classical piano and cello before pursuing vocal work, building a broad musical foundation that informed her later career.
Her training as a worship team musician at her local church also gave her practical grounding in performance.
That experience, combined with her classical instrument studies, gave her both technical and spiritual preparation for her eventual career in gospel music.
Taya Smith Career
Taya’s career spans more than a decade of work with Hillsong United, Hillsong Worship, and Hillsong Young & Free, followed by her launch as a solo artist under Capitol CMG in 2022.
Early Career and Hillsong Beginnings
After arriving in Sydney in 2010, Taya joined Hillsong Church’s City Campus and began volunteering in its youth ministry and creative team. Her early contributions to Hillsong worship services drew attention from band members within Hillsong United.
She first appeared on a major Hillsong release with the Young & Free debut album. Later, producer Michael Guy Chislett called her during a holiday to record vocals for the upcoming Zion album.
That session produced two tracks: “A Million Suns” and “Oceans (Where Feet May Fail).” Both recordings took place over just two to three days, with Taya largely unaware at the time of the impact those sessions would have on her career.
Breakthrough: Oceans and the Zion Album
In 2013, Hillsong United released Zion, their third studio album. Taya’s lead vocals on “Oceans (Where Feet May Fail)” became the defining moment of her career.
The track, released as a single on August 23, 2013, reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot Christian Songs chart and held that position for a record 61 non-consecutive weeks. It ranked as the top Christian song of both 2014 and 2016 on the Billboard year-end summaries.
At the 2014 GMA Dove Awards, “Oceans” won Song of the Year, Contemporary Christian Performance of the Year, Pop/Contemporary Song of the Year, and Worship Song of the Year. Hillsong United also received the Artist of the Year award that night.
Following Zion, Taya continued her work with the band on Empires (2015), which included her lead on “Touch the Sky.” She also appeared on Wonder (2017) and the live release Of Dirt and Grace: Live from the Land (2017).
Her touring commitments grew through those years. Starting with the South African leg of the Zion tour, she accumulated over 265,000 flying miles in her first year alone.
Solo Career and Recent Work
In March 2022, Taya announced her departure from Hillsong Church staff and signed with Capitol CMG as a solo artist. Her debut single, “For All My Life,” was released on March 18, 2022. The debut solo album TAYA followed on May 27, 2022.
The 14-track project was recorded cross-continentally and produced entirely by Jon Guerra. Taya co-wrote every song on the album. A review in CCM Magazine highlighted the project as a milestone in her transition from worship band vocalist to solo artist.
In January 2024, she released the single “Gonna Be Good,” which became a streaming hit and kicked off the cycle for her second album.
She also released “Come Into the Light” and “One and Only” (featuring Cody Carnes) in the lead-up to the April 2025 release of The Reminder.
The Reminder, her second studio album on Capitol CMG, arrived in April 2025. A deluxe edition followed in 2026 alongside new collaborations, including “Alabo!” with ECCOS and “One and Only” with Cody Carnes.
She was also featured as a guest artist on a music special from Andrea Bocelli during her solo period.
Taya Smith Discography
Taya’s major releases span her Hillsong United era and her solo career under Capitol CMG:
With Hillsong United:
- Zion (2013) — featured vocalist on “Oceans” and “A Million Suns”
- Empires (2015) — featured on “Touch the Sky”
- Wonder (2017)
- Of Dirt and Grace: Live from the Land (2017)
- People (2019)
Solo releases:
- TAYA (2022) — debut solo album, 14 tracks, Capitol CMG
- The Reminder (2025) — second studio album, Capitol CMG
- The Reminder (Deluxe) (2026) — expanded edition, Capitol CMG
Taya Smith Awards and Recognition
Taya’s most celebrated achievement came at the 2014 GMA Dove Awards, where “Oceans (Where Feet May Fail)” swept the major categories: Song of the Year, Contemporary Christian Performance of the Year, Pop/Contemporary Song of the Year, and Worship Song of the Year. Hillsong United was also named Artist of the Year at the same ceremony.
“Oceans” holds the record for the most weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot Christian Songs chart, spending 61 non-consecutive weeks at the top. The song was the chart’s top performer in both 2014 and 2016 year-end summaries.
Her RIAA certification status through Hillsong United’s catalog reflects the global reach of the music she helped create.
Taya Smith Tours and Concerts
Taya spent years touring internationally with Hillsong United across six continents. During her first year of touring with the band, following the Zion album, she flew over 265,000 miles and performed in 12 different countries.
Over the course of her time with Hillsong United, Hillsong Worship, and Hillsong Young & Free combined, she performed live for more than 10 million people.
Her 2025 touring activity supported The Reminder album, with concerts including an appearance at Harvest Crusade in Anaheim, California.
Taya Smith Husband
Taya married Ben Gaukrodger on March 22, 2018, in Sydney, Australia. The ceremony was officiated by her Hillsong United bandmate Jonathon “JD” Douglass. The couple had announced their engagement in December 2017.
Ben Gaukrodger is a businessman. He met Taya through church, and she has spoken publicly about his faith and character as central to why she chose to marry him.
Their wedding drew public congratulations from Hillsong United bandmates and from Brooke Ligertwood, who attended the ceremony.
Taya Smith Children
Taya and Ben Gaukrodger welcomed their first child, a son named Bo Benaiah Gaukrodger, on October 20, 2023. Bo was born at 8:15 AM, weighing 9 pounds and measuring 22.5 inches.
Taya shared the news publicly and explained the meaning behind the name. Bo is the command form of “go” or “come” in Hebrew, while Benaiah means “Yahweh builds.” Both names reflect the couple’s faith and intentionality about naming.
She described Ben as “the most incredible Dad” in her announcement post.
Taya Smith Net Worth
Taya Smith’s estimated net worth is $1.5 million as of 2026. Her income comes primarily from gospel music, including album sales, streaming royalties, touring revenue, and her record deal with Capitol CMG.
Her solo catalog generates ongoing royalties through platforms where “Oceans” and its follow-up material continue to stream heavily. Touring income has grown since her first headlining work as a solo artist in 2024 and 2025.
Her decade of work with Hillsong United also contributed to her financial foundation through consistent wages and performance income during her staff tenure.
Taya Smith Social Media
Taya is active on Instagram, TikTok, X (formerly Twitter), and Facebook. Her verified Instagram account is @tayagaukrodger, where she shares updates about new music, touring, and her personal life.
Her TikTok account @tayagaukrodger supports her solo music releases, including The Reminder Deluxe. On X, she posts at @TayaGaukrodger. Her official website is tayaofficial.com.
The Bottom Line
Taya Smith sang lead on “Oceans (Where Feet May Fail)” in 2013, a track that spent 61 weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot Christian Songs chart and won four categories at the 2014 GMA Dove Awards.
She grew up in Lismore, New South Wales, and moved to Sydney at 21 before joining Hillsong Church’s creative team. After a decade on staff, she resigned in April 2023 and signed with Capitol CMG to release music independently.
Her second solo album, The Reminder, came out in April 2025, with a deluxe edition following in 2026. She also became a mother in October 2023, welcoming her son Bo with husband Ben Gaukrodger.
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