She spent two seasons in the cast of Sesame Street, but she always wanted to become a singer. Her first studio recording was prompted by the September 11, 2001 attack on the World Trade Center, where her father worked. Luckily, her father made it out of his office and survived, but Young was moved to record the song “Heart of America” as a tribute to those who came to the aid of the less fortunate. Only 14 years old at the time, the song was played on local radio. Several years later, while juggling classes at Sarah Lawrence College, she devoted all of her creative energy to becoming a pop star. After working extensively with Taj Jackson (Janet Jackson, Rihanna) and Michelle “Bizzy” Bell (Mary J. Blige, Britney Spears), she released her debut album, a set of slick dance-pop songs titled Amazing, in 2009 on the Anaka label. ~ Andy Kellman