As junior Michelle Bush begins to play a requested Taylor Swift song at the Fayetteville Square for the group of kids in front of her, she knows music is where her heart is.

“I love playing music and watching people’s reactions when they hear me,” Bush said. “It helps me know that I’ve found my talent in life.”

After getting her first guitar in the sixth grade, Bush started teaching herself how to play. She watched numerous YouTube videos and looked through beginner books given to her by her uncle.

“As I got older, I began to learn by ear and just messed around until I heard something I liked and I went from there,” Bush said.

One of the most important things for her is the support from her family. Bush’s mom, dad, and sister cheer her on and encourage her to always work her hardest. Her mom especially, enjoys cheering Bush on in her own little way.

“My mom always like to tell me ‘You go Glen Coco!’ when I’m playing my music,” Bush said.

Performing for people is something Bush is always looking to do. At the 2012 Har-Ber’s Got Talent Show, Bush sang and played her guitar alongside junior Jackson Matayo. She concentrates on getting into her own state of mind and relaxing herself before going on stage.

“When I perform, I just go into my own world and block everything else out,” Bush said. “I focus on playing what I’ve been practicing and giving people a good show.”

She created a YouTube account where she posts videos of herself performing for other people to view and enjoy. She covers many songs along with writing some of her own original ones. Bush tries to not let people’s opinions stop her from making music and pursing her passion.

“I do get some negative feedback from people and that does bring me down,” Bush said. “But the positive feedback picks me back up and always reminds me why I love performing so much.”