When I was young and unable to yet write myself, I wouId dictate short stories to my mother from across the kitchen table. Yet it has taken me years of developing my talent before I have been able to share from beyond the confines of my home. In the case of Caroline Ryan, she has been sharing her talent with others for over a decade.
Caroline, a sophomore in the College of General Studies, began singing at just seven years old when her mother convinced her to join a local youth choir in her hometown of Atlanta. After recording in a studio with others, her passion for music was quickly realized and, within the next year, her tiny fingers raced to pick up a guitar and run across the melodic keys of a piano.
When she was around ten years old, Caroline began adding original lyrics to her acoustic music. She currently holds a collection of lyrics, hidden away in a dresser back home. Confessing briefly, Caroline says, “I haven’t written anything I’m really proud of yet, but I’ve been told by other songwriters that it’s good to keep trying to write and save old lyrics even if you hate them.”
I can relate, as I am sure many artists can, that it is valuable to keep old materials, because one day there may be parts you can expand on and improve, creating a stronger final product.
Caroline says that she is mostly inspired by traveling, which was why her semester abroad of Fall 2013 was so treasured. She believes that the lyrics she jotted down there, in London, had stronger meanings and more insight than ever before.
In fact, Caroline was able to perform even while abroad. Busking refers to performing on the street, whether it be music, magic, comedy, or acting. Caroline went busking for the first time in America when she was on vacation with a good friend. She had just broken her only pair of flip flops, an unforeseen aspect of the weekend, and did not have enough money to buy a replacement. Plopping down in the middle of the mall with her guitar and dazzling voice, Caroline wowed the shoppers, and made enough money for a new pair of shoes as well as $30 of extra spending money. She quips, “I had no idea what I’d been missing out on!”
While in London, Caroline squatted down on the street with a friend, singing and playing the guitar and ukulele. They developed such a crowd that they were soon invited into a local pub called The Proud Camden, where they were paid in beers to continue making music.
To Caroline, performing in front of other people has never been frightening. Of course, she may be nervous to take her first few steps onto a stage or set up on the sidewalk, but once she is there everything comes naturally. She appreciates the feedback from the audience.
Now, Caroline uses garage band to record her music, and her cover of “We Can’t Stop” by Miley Cyrus can be found using this link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G0hGvyZxRVE
Although many of Caroline’s videos on YouTube are covers, she mentions, “Maybe when I write a song I’m proud of, I’ll try [recording it] on my own.” And, as a devoted writer who knows how arduous a task it is to find the precise wording, I truly hope that Caroline finds her perfect lyrics to share with the world.