Sara Beth Bareilles (December 7, 1979) is an American singer-songwriter and pianist. She achieved mainstream success in 2007 with the single “Love Song”, which brought her into the Top 10 on the Billboard pop charts. She has been compared to Fiona Apple and Norah Jones despite her lack of formal training in either voice or piano.

Bareilles was born and raised in Eureka, California. She participated in high school choirs and local community theater musical productions, including her high school’s production of Little Shop of Horrors as Audrey.She graduated from Eureka Senior High School in June 1998, having been voted “Most Talented” in the senior yearbook of that year.

Bareilles attended UCLA, where she was a member of their a cappella group Awaken. The group’s rendition of Bareilles’ “Gravity” was featured on the Best of College A Cappella 2004 compilation CD.

After graduating from college in 2002, Bareilles ... read more »