It’s safe to say that most 12-year-old girls busy themselves with things like softball or dance. They begin worrying about boys, fashion, cars, shaving and history exams. Such things are no small task to preteens, but one sixth grader at Bayside Academy has much more on her plate.

Summerlyn Powers has been writing songs since the age of 7; she began in music by playing the violin at age 6, singing church solos at age 7 and continued by learning the guitar and piano, her mother, Tina recalled.

Summerlyn explained that her work as a musician, singer and songwriter is something that’s within her.

“I come from a musical family,” she began. “My grandmother sings in my grandfather's church, and she is a voice and piano teacher. My dad plays the guitar and my mom was a performer in Branson, Mo. before my parents married. Music is a huge part of our family life and who I am as a person.”

The Fairhope native was chosen to perform at the Frank Brown Songwriters Youth Showcase at Lulu's at Homeport Marina on Nov. 14. Approximately 100 youth were gathered at Lulu's for a songwriters’ workshop led by NSAI (Nashville Songwriters Association International) representatives. Only six were chosen to perform and Summerlyn was the youngest. She sang her original song “Alabama Kinda Girl” for the NSAI Showcase, according to Tina.

Summerlyn recorded the very same single at Studio Q in Mobile on Nov. 19 and it will be available for purchase and download in December.

As for the rising star, she appreciates writing talents and expression through lyrics, she divulged.

“I love to listen to artists that perform the songs they've written and the stories they have to say,” she said. “Taylor Swift and Colbie Caillat are two of my favorites.”

This past summer, she auditioned and attended The Jam Advanced Music Camp in Nashville, Tenn. While there, she was privileged to perform for Grammy winning pianist Gordon Mote, Tina beamed. Summerlyn continues to perform at First Fridays in Fairhope and many other venues and festivals.

When asked about the ups and downs of stage-mom duties, Tina revealed that she supports Summerlyn and will help in any way for her to follow her dreams.

“Of course I feel very blessed and proud of Summerlyn and the accomplishments she's made in such a short time,” she said. “Our lives are very busy with music and voice lessons, practicing and let's not forget school and homework. This busy schedule of music and performing was also part of my life growing up, so I'm just repeating what my parents did for me. They were more than happy to support my love of performing and my husband, Paul, and I are happy to do the same for Summerlyn.”

For more, visit facebook.com/SummerlynPowers.