Taya Gaukrodger (née Smith; born May 1989) is an Australian worship leader, singer, and songwriter best known for her lead vocals on Hillsong United’s global worship hit “Oceans (Where Feet May Fail).”
She spent over a decade on staff at Hillsong Church before resigning in 2023 to pursue a solo career, releasing her self-titled debut album and a follow-up, The Reminder.
Taya is married to Ben Gaukrodger, with whom she has a son.
Taya Gaukrodger at a Glance
| Personal | |
|---|---|
| Full name | Taya Gaukrodger (née Smith) |
| Born | May 1989, Lismore, New South Wales, Australia |
| Age | 37 (as of 2026) |
| Nationality | Australian |
| Spouse | Ben Gaukrodger (m. March 23, 2018) |
| Children | 1 son, Bo (b. October 2023) |
| Career | |
| Genre(s) | Contemporary worship, CCM |
| Years active | 2010–present |
| Former group | Hillsong United, Hillsong Young & Free |
| Label | Capitol CMG |
| Ministry | |
| Former church | Hillsong Church, Sydney |
| Years at Hillsong | 2010–2023 |
| Signature song | “Oceans (Where Feet May Fail)” |
Early Life and Background
Taya Smith grew up on the far north coast of New South Wales, Australia, in the town of Lismore.
Her family attended a small local church, and both of her parents shared a deep love of music.
Her mother, who is deaf, played a major role in shaping Taya’s early understanding of worship and singing.
Taya’s passion for worship music was first nurtured in Lismore, where she served on the church worship team and as a youth leader.
In 2010, she relocated to Sydney, initially chasing secular singing work, before her spiritual life and her music career converged.
Career and Ministry Journey
Joining Hillsong
After moving to Sydney, Taya became involved with Hillsong Church‘s City Campus, first as a volunteer in youth and young adult ministries.
Her talent didn’t stay hidden long. She was soon drawn into Hillsong’s youth worship expression, Young & Free, contributing to its debut album and touring with the group.
In February 2013, Taya officially joined Hillsong’s creative staff, taking on responsibilities across the city vocal team and creative direction for young adult events.
“Oceans” and Global Recognition
Taya’s defining moment came with her lead vocal on “Oceans (Where Feet May Fail),” released on Hillsong United’s 2013 album Zion.
The song became one of the most successful worship songs in modern CCM history, spending 61 consecutive weeks at No. 1 on Billboard’s Hot Christian Songs chart and winning Song of the Year at the 2014 GMA Dove Awards.
She went on to lead vocals on other United tracks, including “Touch the Sky” and “A Million Suns,” cementing her position as one of the most recognizable voices in contemporary worship music.
Resigning from Hillsong
In April 2023, on the tenth anniversary of “Oceans,” Taya submitted her resignation from Hillsong Church.
In a statement posted on Instagram, she called the moment “bittersweet,” reflecting on a decade of ministry and the testimonies she had heard from people impacted by the songs she led. She did not publicly detail her personal reasons for leaving.
“I am walking away with some of my dearest friendships, deeper intimacy with Jesus, a conviction to always follow the voice of the Lord even when it doesn’t make sense,” Taya wrote as she announced her departure from Hillsong.
Solo Career
After leaving Hillsong, Taya signed with Capitol CMG to build a solo career under her own name.
She had already released a self-titled debut solo album in 2022, and followed it in April 2025 with her sophomore record, The Reminder, which includes the streaming single “Gonna Be Good.”
She has since toured internationally, including her first US headline tour.
Personal Life
Taya married Ben Gaukrodger on March 23, 2018, in a private ceremony officiated by her Hillsong United bandmate Jonathon “JD” Douglass.
The couple had been engaged since December 2017. Taya adopted her husband’s surname after their marriage, which is why she performs under Taya Gaukrodger while remaining widely known by her former stage name, Taya Smith.
In October 2023, Taya and Ben welcomed their first child, a son. Public sourcing on his exact name varies between “Bo Benaiah” and other spellings, but the most consistently reported detail is that Taya described Ben as “the most incredible Dad” in her announcement.
Theology and Worship Philosophy
Taya has repeatedly said her focus in worship leading is not vocal performance but pointing people to Jesus.
She has described true worship as something that should never center on “how well you can sing,” but on genuine connection with God.
That conviction shaped both her time at Hillsong and the direction of her solo material.
Influence and Legacy
Few worship vocalists have had a single song reach the cultural saturation of “Oceans.”
The track introduced an entire generation of churchgoers, and plenty of non-churchgoers, to contemporary worship music, and Taya’s voice became inseparable from it.
Her decision to step away from a globally recognized platform to build an independent solo career also reflects a broader pattern among former Hillsong artists reassessing their relationship with the institution in the years following its leadership controversies.
Net Worth and Financial Information
Online estimates of Taya Gaukrodger’s net worth vary widely, ranging from roughly $1.2 million to $5 million, depending on the source.
None of these figures come from a verified financial disclosure, and they should be treated as rough, unconfirmed estimates drawn from her music royalties, touring income, and songwriting credits rather than confirmed figures.
Interesting Facts
- Taya adopted her husband’s surname, Gaukrodger, after their 2018 wedding, though many fans still know her as Taya Smith.
- “Oceans” spent 61 consecutive weeks at No. 1 on Billboard’s Hot Christian Songs chart.
- She submitted her Hillsong resignation on the exact tenth anniversary of “Oceans” being released.
- Her mother is deaf and played a formative role in shaping Taya’s love of worship and music.
- She has toured alongside fellow worship artist Naomi Raine, performing “Oceans” and “Jireh” together.
Timeline
| Year | Event |
|---|---|
| 1989 | Born in Lismore, New South Wales, Australia. |
| 2010 | Moves to Sydney and gets involved with Hillsong Church. |
| 2013 | Joins Hillsong’s creative staff; releases “Oceans (Where Feet May Fail)” with Hillsong United. |
| 2014 | “Oceans” wins Song of the Year at the GMA Dove Awards. |
| 2017 | Gets engaged to Ben Gaukrodger. |
| 2018 | Marries Ben Gaukrodger on March 23. |
| 2022 | Releases self-titled debut solo album. |
| 2023 | Resigns from Hillsong Church in April; welcomes son with Ben in October. |
| 2025 | Releases sophomore solo album, The Reminder. |
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened to Taya from Hillsong?
Taya resigned from Hillsong Church in April 2023 after more than a decade on staff and is now building an independent solo career under Capitol CMG.
What is Taya from Hillsong doing now?
She continues writing and touring as a solo artist, releasing her debut album in 2022 and a follow-up, The Reminder, in 2025.
What is Taya’s most famous song?
Her most famous song is “Oceans (Where Feet May Fail),” released with Hillsong United in 2013.
Why did Taya leave Hillsong Church?
Taya did not publicly share the specific personal reasons for her 2023 resignation, describing the decision only as “bittersweet” after ten years on staff.
What nationality is Taya?
Taya Gaukrodger is Australian, born and raised in Lismore, New South Wales.
Is Taya still with Hillsong Worship?
No. She resigned from Hillsong Church in April 2023 and now records independently through Capitol CMG.
Does Taya Gaukrodger have children?
Yes, Taya and her husband Ben Gaukrodger welcomed their first child, a son, in October 2023.
Does Taya Smith have cancer?
There is no credible reporting confirming this claim. No verified news source or statement from Taya has addressed a cancer diagnosis.
