Alamo Teen's New Single Featured on iTunes

BY JANE McINNIS

A San Ramon Valley High senior is taking the music industry into her own hands.

Rather than waiting to be discovered by a record label, 17-year-old Kira Stone is recording her own songs at a local studio and releasing them on iTunes.

Last month, Stone’s second single, ‘Find me Now’ was featured on iTunes’ front page, and also reached number 42 on a list of 100 noteworthy singles.

“It’s funny,” Stone said humbly about the attention from iTunes, a media player program and store that has over 575 million active users.

Stone has only played the guitar for a few years, and started experimenting with songwriting in 2011. She plays the guitar, piano, ukulele and the banjo, which she says can be a bit tricky.

[VIDEO: Kira Stone Performs 'Peter Pan' in 2011]

“I love being able to write all these feelings I have and put them into words with music,” she said.

Her first release, ‘Peter Pan,’ has reached listeners as far as New Zealand and Africa. She has also had the pleasure of seeing YouTube videos of fans covering her music and making video tributes.

Stone is the eldest of six, and is active in musical theatre. She mentions that her schedule can be hectic, but her supportive family plays a big role in her work.

You might be able to catch the local talent performing in San Francisco or around the East Bay. To keep informed on her upcoming shows, check in on her Facebook page or on her Twitter account here.

Stone has a few more songs she has recorded and is waiting to release in the coming months, with plans to return to the studio in December.

If you'd like to download 'Find Me Now,' or 'Peter Pan' by Kira Stone, singles can be purchased for .99 cents at her iTunes store here.