Summer Showcase finalist used own music

Holladay,

Utah's, Abby Paulsen is heading back to BYU-Idaho for her sophomore

year with a third-place victory in the Mormon Times Summer Showcase

music contest under her belt. \"It was a blast,\" said Paulsen, 19. \"It was way cool to have been voted third. I'm so grateful.\"

Paulsen was delighted to perform her songs during the Aug. 27

concert at the Sandy Amphitheater in Sandy, Utah, with help from her

cousins on her first number and one of her best friends on her second.

\"It was so fun,\" she said.

Paulsen charmed listeners throughout the four-month duration of the

online contest with original acoustic ballads like \"Happiness is

Simple\" and \"Come What May.\"

Writing her own music was a next step for Paulsen, as was being brave enough to share it with an audience.

\"I draw off of my own experiences,\" she said. \"It was hard work to

compete with material that was all personal, my own — but so worth it.\"

Paulsen also draws inspiration from artists like Colbie Caillat and Sara Bareilles. \"I really admire them,\" she said.

But most of all, she is inspired by the love and support of her parents.

\"They have helped me through so many things,\" she said. \"They have been with me every step of the way.\"

Paulsen has played piano since she was 7 and has mastered guitar since starting lessons just last September.

\"I wanted to learn it so bad,\" she said. \"So I simply set my mind to it.\"

She was able to demonstrate her growth as an artist alongside fellow

LDS performers at the Showcase concert. \"The other finalists were such

amazing people,\" she said. \"Thanks to my family, friends and fans that

voted and let me have such an awesome opportunity.\"

Paulsen will be off to China come January to teach English. After that, she hopes to record an album.

\"I want to be able to make a career out of my music and have a family,\" Paulsen said. \"Those are the dreams.\"

Paulsen took home $1,000 for coming in third. First place and $5,000

went to Brett Winn of San Diego. The second-place prize of $2,000 went

to Nathan Osmond, whose cousin, Brandon, won the first Showcase contest

in March. The other three finalists were Jesse Lacko, Cameron Nichols

and Rachel Sonderegger.

E-mail: eschmuhl@desnews.com