I classify myself as a student and a teacher. This year, I'm back into the student. I try to stay balanced. I learn so much every time I walk about my door.

My favorite color is purple. I have a huge velvet purple comforter on my bed.

Stop thinking you have to go to big industry to have a big life, because it's not the truth.

When I was a kid in Eugene, Oregon, there was this fantastic guitar player who went out on the tables, chairs, out in the audience and played. So I started taking my guitar in the audience. I tripped, fell backwards and ripped my pants.

I've also been writing for other artists, producing other artists, doing some country stuff. Those lyrics I tend to leave more universal.

Growing up in the Northwest, I did play in an all-girl band. I snuck into clubs. No one ever questioned or thought twice about it.

A long term goal is to encourage students to start doing concerts in which I or the other artists will come back at the end of the school year to see their concerts.