Wilbraham & Monson Academy's Mariel Picknelly '20 isn't a national music sensation just yet, but she sure is headed in that direction.
After months of performing at summer camps, Mariel will release her latest single, "EPIC," in mid-September.
"I released a few singles years ago but they don't show what I can do now," she said. "After the single comes out we'll release a music video."
Mariel toured with Camplified during the summer. She performed at approximately a dozen youth camps throughout New York, New Jersey and Connecticut, singing to kids ages 3-14, with the crowds ranging from 100-400 people.
"I've done festivals and fairs and things in the area, but not as big as this," Mariel said. "Waking up early and getting ready and meeting all the fans was so cool. We would do meet and greets. We had merchandise, so I would give out beach balls with my name on them, string back packs and water bottles."
A handful of artists typically performed for 20 minutes at each Camplified show. Mariel's play list included her originals "EPIC" and "Rock Stars," as well as covers "Wild Things" by Alessia Cara, "Lost Boy" by Ruth B and "Love Yourself" by Justin Beiber.
"I really liked getting to know the other performers," Mariel said. "Some were based out of New York, and some were from Los Angeles so there were people from all over."
Mariel is on the cusp of releasing an EP (extended play but not a full album), with the only hold-up being, in essence, a good problem.
"I started working with this song writer who worked with Billy Joel. His name is Cass Dillon," Mariel explained. "We wrote two songs. We're working on producing those at the moment.
"I really want to work on my guitar skills and piano skills so I can accompany myself. I'm taking dance at WMA so I can dance on the stage better. I'll be in the studio a lot this winter."
In September, Mariel was on the cover of Gold Crwn magazine and featured in Talent Monthly.