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Katelyn Dawn

Updated Wed. Jun. 18 2008 11:39 AM ET

Katelyn Dawn may be one of the youngest female competitors in the Top 24 this year, but her passion for music rivals anyone twice her age.

She's an accomplished singer and songwriter who put out two studio records before her 19th birthday. Now Katelyn is looking to Canadian Idol to help her take the next step in her career. "Idol gives a boost to your career that you might not otherwise get. It's great exposure and a once in a lifetime learning experience."

For Katelyn, music is what she eats, sleeps and breathes. Growing up in a musical family in Manitoba, her family gave her a foundation in music very early on. "My parents set great examples for me; I can take the lessons they've taught me and apply them to everything, not just my music. They keep me reaching for my dreams."

Katelyn is inspired by a wide variety of music, and considers musicians and songwriters like KT Tunstall and Chantal Kreviazuk to be among some of her favourite artists, yet being Canadian has also had an influence on her music. "Canadians have so many different genres to pull inspiration from in our country," she says. "We're all well-rounded singers; what else are we going to do in the cold winter but sing, anyhow?"

As a songwriter, Katelyn is often searching for inspiration, but she has also provided inspiration for someone else: renowned American portrait artist Kenneth Hari.

Hari contacted Katelyn after being inspired by a photo of her on a Web page, and asked her to sit for him. Hari has also created portraits of famous actors and musicians, including Dustin Hoffman and Frank Sinatra. Could he be painting the portrait of the next Canadian Idol? We'll have to wait and see.