Budding Songwriter Living at Middle School

Cristina Ferucci has been writing songs since she was a little girl. And considering she's only in the eighth grade now, that's not a very long time. But the l student has many completely written songs to her credit, has played several area open mics and has her own website. She recently competed in the “Are You the Next Teen Superstar” competition in New York City.

Ferucci also wrote a song called “Hold On,” which she performed at the kick-off of , the middle school's movement to abolish modern-day slavery.

Ferucci also plays acoustic guitar, a relatively new addition to her singing. She started taking guitar lessons at the middle school during her seventh grade year, and progressed rapidly, according to her father.

“I had bought her a guitar, and wasn't really sure at first that she'd stick with it, but she started taking lessons in September and by Christmas I could see it was a real talent of hers,” said Cristina's father, Rob Ferucci.

That led dad to buy her another guitar, this one of a much higher caliber.

“It was expensive, and it wasn't Christmas or anything, but she really loves playing, and you can't put a price on passion,” he said.

Cristina said she loves everything about music, but writing is her main passion.

“I think my songwriting has gotten much more mature since I started. I know when I sit down to write the kind of message I want to get out. So I write the melody first, and the words come later,” she said.

So what's next for Cristina?

“I want to keep working at music, because it's what I love to do. I want to try and be the best I can be, and see where it goes. But I also want to be a doctor,” she said.