Dakota Apsey-Vaughn, 14

Why nominated

“I am so proud of her courage and talent playing her guitar,” wrote Dakota's godmother, Kim Brown. “Although she now takes guitar lessons, she originally taught herself how to play. Dakota not only plays and sings popular music from the radio but also has written some of her own songs. She has displayed courage trying out at local coffee shops and small restaurants. She now has two jobs at local shops. The first time I heard her play tears rolled down my face. She plays with heart and amazes everyone that listens to her. She is always practicing and expanding her talent by learning new songs and working hard to please the patrons she sings for. We always new she was great, maintaining excellent grades at school, being kind and polite, and now she truly shines. I am very proud to call Dakota my godchild and think she is just plain great!”

Q&A

How old were you when you started playing guitar?

“I was 11.”

What inspired you to start playing?

“Music is just kind of in my family. Like, my grandpa is a musician, and I’ve always watched him. My sister used to play guitar, and I liked it so I started.”

Where do you take guitar lessons?

“I take them from Shannon Carr.”

Do you play electric or acoustic?

“Acoustic.”

Do you have a favorite style to play?

“I kind of just like playing a little bit of everything.”

What are the two shops where you work?

“D’Vine Wine in Manitou, and a local coffee shop in Black Forest.”

Is it hard finding time to play guitar?

“No. My school offers guitar classes there, so I get to bring my guitar to school. And I always have time at home.”

How do you spend your free time?

“I really just like hanging out with people, and I like playing open mikes in Manitou. I do an open mike at Kinfolks sometimes, and there’s an open mike at the Rock Bottom Brewery.”

Do you stick to just guitar?

“I sing, I play the guitar, I play the ukulele. I just got a djembe, it’s a drum, for Christmas. A couple of my friends play it.”

What do you want to do after high school?

“I either want to continue my music, or I want to go to college to be a marine biologist.”

Any colleges in mind?

“The University of Hawaii. Because you can get state tuition, apparently.”

Siblings

Two sisters, Melissa, 21, and Jennifer, 24. “And I also have a niece, Miley” (19 months old).

Parents

Christine and Joe