A local singer-songwriter is making a name for herself on the big stage.
Elequen General from Forest is one of the contestants appearing on CTV's new show The Launch Wednesday, February 14.
It's a series where unsigned musicians create a new original song as they're mentored by renowned artists such as Shania Twain, Nikki Sixx and Fergie to name a few.
The 23-year-old says if there any young girls or boys in the area that want to be in her shoes one day, don't give up.
"I know that coming from a small town you feel like you're the only one that's doing it and you feel very distant from the actual music and entertainment industry," she says. "I would just say to keep pushing and work towards finding people that do the same thing that you do."
For General, her love for performing arts began with writing poems at a very young age.
"Once I realized you could put that to music, I started songwriting," she says. "I think I really started when I was 12 because I got recording equipment for Christmas so then I took the singing to the next level."
The Northern High School graduate says messages of support keep pouring in from people in the community.
General will appear on the sixth and final episode of the season alongside Grammy Award-winners Boy George and Alessia Cara.