By JESSICA SIEFF
Edwardsburg Argus

Winner of this year’s talent show held at the Performing Arts Center at Edwardsburg High School, it would be understandable to assume that Emily Woodill, otherwise known as Emilee Allan may have found her reward lay in the moment.

The singer-songwriter who got started singing at just eight years old said the talent that she is now hoping to turn into a full fledged career “just kind of evolved into something I kind of realized,” as a freshman in high school.

Performing with a visiting group, Allan said she got the chance to perform a song of her own.

“I realized this is really what I want to do,” she said.

Now as the school year ends and the summer awaits, Allan is busy trying to put together her own CD.

“I’ve written seven of my own songs,” she said. “Hopefully I’ll have a CD done by September.”

Allan’s music is, as she describes it, a mixture of blues and country. Influenced by country heavyweights like Carrie Underwood first and foremost, she’s now discovering the soft, bluesy sounds of artists like Norah Jones and that style is moving into her music.

“Music is what I love to do most,” Allan said.

And it would seem she’s pretty good at it. The Edwardsburg High School student – a senior next year – has already performed in live music venues throughout the South Bend area including the Irish pub Fiddler’s Hearth and the Chickory Café.

She’s also performed in area festivals including Niles’ Riverfest and the Hunter Ice Festival.

“My favorite part of performing is being on stage,” Allan said. “That’s where I find out who I am and that’s what makes me keep going and keep wanting to do it. I can’t wait to perform.”

When she’s not busy with school, Allan keeps to a schedule, heading out to work with her guitarist Nathan “Nate” Miles.

“Nate makes it completely fun and relaxed,” Allan said of the creative process. “It’s real easy to want to go over there and write with him.”

Allan has plenty of time before she has to make decisions about her future and the singer-songwriter said she makes sure she keeps her grades up in school.

“But music comes first,” she said when she talks of her future and her interests. “I’ve been doing it for so long and I just can’t see not singing.”

Even with a heart and passion for performing, the music industry is not an easy one. But it seems Allan isn’t tackling it alone.

“My dad has been the most helpful person that I could think of,” she said. “He’s been there, he’s done stuff for me that I basically couldn’t thank him enough for.”

The family support keeps her going and Allan said that as she moves forward she’s hoping to “get my music out there and see what happens.”

She writes at home and says her music is less trendy, less love and guys and more introspetctful.

“I don’t know really,” she said. “I’m an emotional person. I don’t write about love and guys. I really write about life and situations that happen and feelings and that’s a really easy way for me to express myself.”

Which is exactly what she plans to do. Focus is on the debut CD and more opportunities to perform in live venues over the summer.

Asked if she has more planned for her future, Allan’s answer is somewhat yes and no.

“To be honest,” she said, “no, I have no idea. I just … hopefully, like deep down all I want to do is perform.”