In 2010, NRT's Founder, Kevin McNeese, wrote about the bleak situation of female artists in Christian music (read that article here). While an update on the charts is still being written, the overall consensus is that female led music is enjoying its best years in the industry. In fact, since that article was written, there have been some incredibly stellar performances from female vocalists, both new and established.

I've purposely comprised this list based on the impact of these female vocalists over the past 8 years that I've been a staff member of NRT (from 2008-2016), acknowledging that there are noteworthy legacy singers, Natalie Grant, Tiffany Lee (Plumb), Nichole Nordeman, Sara Groves and Dawn Michele (Fireflight) who were already on the scene in 2008, and newer vocalists Taya Smith (Hillsong UNITED), Lauren Daigle, Kerrie Roberts, and Emily Fertig (SHINEBRIGHT), who are my honorable mentions.

If you haven't checked them out, I highly recommend listening to the following breakout artists from 2008 up to the present day. These past several years have really been stellar for female vocalists, both new and established. If you haven't checked them out, I highly recommend listening to the vocals of my top 10 female singers. 

1. BROOKE FRASER
The writer and singer of Hillsong UNITED's "Hosanna," "Lead Me To The Cross," "Soon" and her solo albums Albertine (2008) Flags (2010) and Brutal Romantic (2015) makes Brooke Fraser my clear cut top female singer of the past 8 years. 
 
2. AUDREY ASSAD
Audrey Assad's debut album The House You're Building (2010) rivals Albertine by Brooke Fraser, and her albums Heart (2012), Fortunate Fall (2013), and her new album Inheritance (2016) solidify Audrey as my favorite "gourmet" singer-songwriter. 
 
3. KARI JOBE
Kari Jobe's version of "Revelation Song" alone puts her on the list. Her contributions with Gateway Church, Bethel Music ("Forever") and her Grammy nominated Majestic (2014) keep taking her music ministry up a notch with each release. 
 
4. FRANCESCA BATTISTELLI
Multiple GMA Dove Award winning Francesca Battistelli's Broadway singing aspiration really shows in her excellent debut My Paper Heart (2008), Hundred More Years (2010) and If We're Honest (2014). 
 
5. AMANDA COOK
Bethel Music's Amanda Cook has a deep desire to create worship music that goes beyond the usual boundaries of the genre. You can hear Amanda's anointed, emotive and prophetic worship in Bethel's "I Will Exalt" from Be Lifted High, "You Make Me Brave" and "Shepherd" from You Make Me Brave and "You Don't Miss a Thing" from We Will Not Be Shaken. Amanda's debut solo worship album Brave New World is an excellent set of songs that focus on asking God to truly inhabit our inner being and allowing the power of the Holy Spirit to sanctify us, relying solely on the love of Jesus to mold our hearts and make us more like Him. 
 
6. KRISTENE DIMARCO
Jesus Culture has developed and introduced several amazing worship artists and songs. Kim Walker-Smith, Chris Quilala, Bryan and Katie Torwalt and Derek Johnson have consistently blessed me as a worshiper. DiMarco's new live album Mighty is best described as an empowering worship experience with an ethereal worshipful tone, similar to Kim Walker-Smith, Bethel Music and Jesus Culture. From "Break Every Chain" to "It is Well" to "I Will Follow You," Kristene has consistently impressed me with her mature faith and sincere desire to serve Jesus. 
 
7. MEREDITH ANDREWS
Meredith is a worship leader at her church and a member of Vertical Church Band. Meredith's stellar debut album The Invitation (2008), As Long As It Takes (2010), Worth it All (2013) and new release Deeper (2016) demonstrate her strong songwriting and singing. 
8. LINDSAY MCCAUL
Lindsay McCaul has pure and strong vocals that remind me of Brooke Fraser and Audrey Assad. I consider Lindsay someone to watch based on her debut album, If It Leads Me Back (2012) and One More Step (2014), which both ranked in my top 10 albums of their respective years. 
 
9. DARA MACLEAN
Dara Maclean displays the strongest vocals I've heard in years on her debut You Got My Attention (2011) and Wanted (2013) and her Brit-pop sounding vocals are similar to Grammy Award winning artist Adele wrapped around Motown style soulful music. 
 
10. JESSA ANDERSON
Drawing from an influential pool of strong female songwriters such as Sara Groves, Nichole Nordeman and Ginny Owens, Anderson's music reflects a constant wrestling with the unknown and the darkest parts of humanity right alongside the gritty, everyday things that make up the human life. Her debut album Not Myself Anymore (2011) and Whole (2014) both ranked in my top 10 albums of those years.