amelie kalia is not merely a good kid – she’s something more.

Amelie McGrath – who performs as amelie kalia – released her first single June 28. Though the rising third-year music industry student has been writing songs since she was nine years old, “good kid” marks the first work she has shared with the rest of the world. With this release, McGrath officially kickstarted her journey as a singer-songwriter sharing her personal experiences and stories with others.

“Songwriting has always been my thing,” McGrath said. “That’s my favorite part of anything music-related.”

McGrath said her musical journey started with playing classical piano when she was five years old. Early on, McGrath said she had a desire to make music more personal to her by singing along with the tunes of the piano. She added that she explored the musical world in other ways by participating in choir throughout middle and high school and later learned to play the guitar as another medium of producing songs. Upon arriving at UCLA, McGrath joined ScatterTones, an on-campus a cappella group that she said helped further her growth as a musician.

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In addition to her involvement in the UCLA a cappella scene, McGrath said she has sought ways to grow as a singer-songwriter on campus. She said taking Music Industry 112C – a songwriting course that requires students to write a song every week and share their work with the class via a recording or live performance – has especially helped enhance her songwriting skills and overcome her fear of presenting her projects to others. Although McGrath may have been nervous about presenting her original works, her classmates were impressed with her musical talents. Katie Simpson, a rising fourth-year communication student who also took songwriting classes in the music industry department, said McGrath would bring in songs with lyrics that captured her attention and further changed her approach to music.

“I’m a songwriter and producer as well, and I’ve always listened to chords and I’ve always listened to production,” Simpson said. “When I met Amelie, she played songs where the lyrics are so insane that I better start paying attention to lyrics more now. I was kind of shocked that a person could make me start paying attention to lyrics because I genuinely haven’t cared for so long.”

Simpson was not the only person dazzled by McGrath’s songwriting. Candace Tsay, a rising second-year sociology student and McGrath’s manager, said McGrath’s talent lies in her abilities to transform her personal stories into relatable experiences through her songs and lyrics.

With the autobiographical “good kid,” McGrath paints a scene simply with her lyrics. Opening the song with a guitar line and a scene of herself sitting in a fourth-grade classroom, McGrath shares with the listeners how she was perceived as a good kid at school because of her reserved and modest facade that contrasted her personality at home. Simpson said listening to “good kid” made her empathize with McGrath’s experiences, adding that she sees McGrath’s music leaving a similar impact on other listeners.

“I hope they see themselves in her music,” Simpson said. “They learn to empathize with others through music and then they go out into the world and become more authentic versions of themselves.”

Like other artists, McGrath said she has experienced anxiety when it comes to releasing music. Because her songs are ultimately what she presents to the public, she said she felt pressure to refine her songs to perfection. To overcome that challenge, McGrath said listening to artists such as jake minch, Lizzy McAlpine and Colbie Caillat and being reminded of the rawness, lack of autotune and vulnerability found in singer-songwriter music has helped her become less conscious to produce flawless songs.

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With greater self-appreciation and pride in her own music, McGrath said she has enjoyed sharing personal stories with her audiences through live performances. Though typically standing by herself onstage with only a guitar, she said she appreciates the connection that she forms with listeners. For Tsay, McGrath’s live performances are mesmerizing because of her charismatic presence onstage.

“Watching her play shows is so incredible because she has this ability to command the attention in every single room that she’s in,” Tsay said. “The moment she starts singing, you can really tell that people are listening.”

With an official single release and multiple live performances under her belt, McGrath said she plans to continue playing and performing her music, with the hopes of her songs reaching a wider audience. She added that looking to a bright future in her musical career – with a sprinkle of delusion – is her source of motivation.

“You have to be a little bit delusional because it’s super healthy,” McGrath said. “If you’re like, ‘Oh yeah, I can play Madison Square Garden in like 10 years,’ it’s 10 years, and I just have to keep going. That’s my delusion, and it’ll keep me working towards that.”