The average 21-year-old is writing term papers, going to parties and watching their favorite teen dramas. Kate Voegele, on the other hand, is writing hit songs, going on tour and starring in a popular teen drama.

After dropping out of Miami University of Ohio as a sophomore, this Cleveland native signed to MySpace Records and put out her first full-length album "Don't Look Away." Her record, filled with a range of catchy pop melodies and insightful lyrics, has been called a female parallel to John Mayer's "Room for Squares." It features her first singles, the deep piano-rooted "Kindly Unspoken" and the uplifting heartbreak anthem "Only Fooling Myself," which Voegele just shot a video for.

After appearing as budding musician Mia on the fifth season of the CW network's "One Tree Hill," Voegele's uncharted talent is taking her straight to stardom, all while she is still trying to earn a college degree online.

Q: You started making music at a young age, did you always want to pursue music as a career?
A: It was always something that I thought would be awesome. I don't know anyone famous and never thought it was possible for me to break into this industry. [I have been] accidently stumbling upon all these opportunities. I'd love to someday go back to art school. I love anything creative.

Q: Your songs can be considered anthems because they are so easily related to by many young girls, is there a song on the album that is most personal for you?
A: "Wish You Were Here." I feel like it's the one that every time I sing it I can get back into that place where I wrote it. It's such a universal feeling. [It's about when] one person turns out to be someone different. You're in love with a person and that's not who they are. It's confusing and tragic and I wanted to kind of express that in a song. It's the coolest thing when somebody hears it and they say that's what's going on in their life.

Q: You said there were a lot of musicians who "spoke to you." What artists would you say inspire you and your music the most?
A: I grew up listening to stuff my parents listened to: Carole King, James Taylor, Carly Simon, and '70s stuff because it's so organic and real. That's what I want to do with my music, but in a more modern sense.

Q: You were recently on "One Tree Hill." How did the idea for your character on that show come about?
A: It was crazy because like most of the things that have been the best for me [in my life], it came about very randomly and unexpectedly. My manager proposed the idea for the casting call, I read lines and played songs. The creator [Mark Schwahn] said, 'Kate, music is your thing but you could do this for a living.' A couple weeks later I was filming in Wilmington, N.C.

Q: How would you compare yourself to your character Mia?
A: It was really cool because obviously Mia is a musician who plays my songs. On the surface she is super shy and quiet and nervous, but on stage she is the total opposite. She's really loud, outgoing and comfortable in any situation. Channel back to when I was 15 and I was that girl once. It was awesome because as her character evolved, so much about her was similar to me. She was fun-loving, spontaneous, sarcastic, and I'm very much like that.

Q: Would you want to pursue acting in the future or do you have any plans to return to the show?
A: I'm sure I'll end up coming back for an episode or two in the future. Mia is such a great character and I loved being in her world. Acting was great, but right now I'm so excited about this record and everything that I can't ever picture my life without being a musician.

Q: What are your upcoming plans for the summer and the rest of 2008?
A: I'm pretty much on the road for all of it. It's so essential to go out and play and connect with the fans. I'm hoping to really promote this record and take advantage of what the show has done for me. I'll be living on the bus for the next two years.

Source: digmagonline.com