Sophie Lamkin was just 4 years old when she first stepped on a stage to sing. She did her own rendition of the ABCs during Fourth of July festivities.
“It wasn’t the normal ABCs that you hear in the classroom, it was a full version with heart, soul and vibrato,” said Allison Sesnon, Sophie’s mother. “I had no idea where the passion came from.”
The 18-year-old has developed well beyond singing the alphabet and now writes music. She released her first album last year and is moving to Music City, also known as Nashville, to pursue her dream of being a professional songwriter.
“It’s not about making it big or the big bucks,” said the Idaho Fine Arts Academy senior. “I love performing, but I don’t want that to be my career. My passion is writing.”
Sophie will attend Belmont University in August where she will study songwriting and music business.
Sophie started experimenting with music at the age of 7. It started with piano lessons, which led to the cello, her voice, the guitar and songwriting.
“I want to communicate what I’m feeling and share my art in the best possible way,” she said. “I’m trying to be the finest musician I can be.”
Sophie owns a 3.8 grade-point average and is known at school for writing songs on demand with interesting lyrics, melodies and chords.
“Sophie will be a world class musician and she will be making incredible music all her life,” said Justin Nielsen, Sophie’s former music teacher. “She has one of the most fertile, creative minds I have seen.”
In her free time Sophie will pick up gigs in Downtown Boise and Rembrandts Coffee House in Eagle to gain exposure. She said the biggest challenge will be landing a writing job with an artist.
“I’m writing music to make me happy and not to just to pay the bills,” Sophie said. “Music has always been healing in my life. When I listen to music everything goes away.”
Fun facts about Sophie Lamkin
- Favorite drink? Dutch Bros. rebel
- Favorite sport to watch? Baseball
- What are the first three songs on your current music playlist? “Undone” by the Bird and the Bee, “Isombard” by Declan Mckenna and “H.D.L.” by Lewis Del Mar
- You just got a free plane ticket to go anywhere. Where are you going? Spain
- Three things you can’t live without? Guitar, friends and auxiliary cord
- Favorite emoji
