On Wednesday, October 23, Nashville recording artist Brynn Marie visited Wauwatosa West high school. Kids from the band, orchestra, choir, and theater were invited to a concert, followed by a question and answer session with Brynn Marie.

Brynn Marie sang several songs for the students, including one involving the choir students and the percussionists.

Following this, she answered several questions from the students:

What are the biggest things that helped you reach where you are today?
“First, believe in yourself. Second, dedication. Go for it and give it 100%.”

Where do you shop?
“Everywhere. I make my own jewelry sometimes though.”

What’s it like?
“I’m not gonna lie, it’s tough. But if you believe and stay true to yourself and go after it, you’ll be alright.”

Do you write your own songs?
“Yes. Also if I listen to someone else and it feels like I could have written that song, then I’ll sing it too.”

How do you get inspired?
“Life. I put feelings into every song.”

How do you approach songs?
“It varies. Sometimes I start with melodies, sometimes I start with guitar chords.”

When did you realize you wanted to perform?
“I realized I wanted to perform because that’s all I was doing. I got to travel to the Middle East and perform for soldiers in the middle of nowhere and it changed my life.”

What is the worst thing that has happened to you while you were performing?
“Well, I was performing with a full band and I was singing Pat Benetar’s Hit Me With Your Best Shot. I fell through the stage. I was in the hole and I completed the song. That was pretty bad.”

What is the best thing that has happened to you since you starting performing?
“I debuted at a show in the Rhiben.”

What’s the biggest crowd you’ve performed for?
“8,000-10,000. It was so cool. Maybe more.”

Who have supported you the most?
“Well in high school, all those people who pushed me to center stage really helped. Then my family and my stage band family.”

Who would be a dream artist to play with?
“Keith Urban”

What’s your favorite food?
“Anything Italian”

Who are some famous people you’ve met?
“Craig Morgan. Joe Nicholas.”

If you didn’t perform, what would you be doing?
“I would be teaching dance.”

What did you do in Nashville to get where you are?
“I talked and had coffee with lots of people. I wrote music, recorded and really stayed connected.”

How do you feel about Taylor Swift?
“She’s living her dream. And it’s hard now a days with the press. People are micromanaged. People are always going to not like certain people. There are always those who try to bring you down. There are always haters. I say If you don’t like me, you don’t have to be here.”

After these questions, she had to leave to get to an important meeting. She left with these words, “Thanks for having me everyone. Dream big and believe in yourself.”

It was a great experience to see someone who is young and following her dream of performing despite the challenges. It was very encouraging and touched many people. Lots of people tweeted to her saying they were really inspired. It was great to have Brynn Marie around.