If Taylor Bolibol's high school friends heard she was performing a show at least once a month, sometimes twice, they wouldn't believe it.

She was always the person who was too embarrassed to sing, despite her obvious talent.

Now, however, Bolibol has just released her first album and is learning to get rid of her performance jitters.

"When I got to college, there was so much going on and I just needed that outlet and so that's when I really, really got into writing and being able to sing," said Bolibol.

Because her father was in a band, music has been a prominent piece of Bolibol's life since childhood.

"Ever since I was born I've been listening to my dad write his music and practice in our basement," she said.

Once she came to college, she began picking up a guitar to make music of her own.

Inspired by Colbie Caillat and Taylor Swift, Bolibol emphasizes the importance that her music be personable.

"I just try to write things that are really honest," she said. "Experiences that I'm going through or that I watch my friends go through and the way that I see them feeling."

Bolibol doesn't put pressure on herself to write these songs, however. In her experience, she writes best when she waits to be inspired.

"If something's in my mind I can write a song in 15 minutes," she said.

And these are generally the songs with which she is most proud and happy.

"It's not like I need everyone to listen to the words that I'm saying or what I'm singing, I just want someone to connect with me."

Being a singer, songwriter and full-time student would be difficult enough. But Bolibol is also an athlete on the Seattle University women's soccer team.

It's no wonder she can write songs in 15 minutes.

"All three of them are different commitments and some people are able to just commit to that one thing and I have to spread myself very thin between them all," she said. "It's actually really great because the athletic department is so supportive of my music. They also keep me grounded in my schoolwork so it's nice to have all those people help me balance."

Bolibol finds support from the athletic community and her soccer team, but her 8-year-old brother is her biggest fan.

Her manager, Katie Nguyen, has also been a big support to Bolibol.

"She's been great and super supportive and kind of pushes me to pursue music more than I probably would," Bolibol said.

Though from Seattle, Bolibol believes that the music she has to offer is a little different than what is normally produced in this area.

"I kind of have a country flair thing going on and I think that's a little bit different from [music] out of this area because it's not really folky and that's really huge here."

Her CD, titled "Simply Happy," is available on iTunes, Zune and 40 other online sources. She also has hard copies available at all her shows.

Bolibol wants the students at Seattle U to know they play an essential role in the process of getting her music out there.

"I think it's really cool for the school to be a part of it," she said. "At this point, I've made my album, I've recorded it, I can do shows and stuff but it's up to the people that are around me to make it happen for me."

As a marketing major, Bolibol is still unsure of her post-college goals. Though she isn't relying on her music to bring her success, she wouldn't be opposed to the prospect of that happening.

"I don't need it to take me anywhere but if it did, that would be my ultimate dream."

Colleen may be reached at cfontana@su-spectator.com