**Erica Christene – Rising Music Artist** Hi, I’m Erica Christene, a 16-year-old singer-songwriter from North Carolina I would have never had the courage to pursue this dream if I hadn’t met my friend, who inspired me to take this leap. And none...

**Erica Christene – Rising Music Artist** Hi, I’m Erica Christene, a 16-year-old singer-songwriter from North Carolina I would have never had the courage to pursue this dream if I hadn’t met my friend, who inspired me to take this leap. And none of this would have been possible without my incredible parents, Laura and Dom, who have supported me through my toughest times. Music has always been my escape, especially when it comes to my mental health struggles. During my hardest moments, songwriting became my safe space, a way to express what I was feeling when words weren’t enough. That’s why I do this—not just for myself, but for anyone who needs music the way I did. I’m also deeply inspired by artists like Maddox Batson, whose music has influenced my journey and shaped my sound. As I continue to grow as an artist, my goal is to create music that resonates with others, just like my favorite artists have done for me.