For Lexi Shipp, music was her first love. This talent grew and later translated into about 50 YouTube videos that showcased her skills and fluency in music.

“I have been singing ever since I was little, ever since I could talk. Growing up, I had always been singing,” Lexi, freshman, said. “It makes me feel happy.”

Lexi’s interest in YouTube began around fourth grade when she saw other YouTube videos that she thought looked interesting.

“I had always been interested in making videos and editing videos. So one day, I decided to ask my mom and start posting,” Lexi said. “I started making videos and getting comfortable with the camera in fourth grade, and I decided I wanted to do [YouTube].”

Lexi mainly makes covers of songs and music videos on her YouTube channel such as “I Won’t Give Up” by Jason Mraz, “Royals” by Lorde and “Hallelujah” by Leonard Cohen. Lexi also started guitar lessons in third grade. She stopped lessons in sixth grade but used YouTube videos to help her learn more songs on her guitar.

“She is really creative in the effects that she uses [in her videos]. She is an amazing singer and a good guitarist. She’s entertaining and she has a unique voice,” Izzy Rosenberg, freshman, said.

Lexi started filming and editing videos when she was in fourth grade, but she was not allowed to post them because she was not old enough. Lexi got her mom’s permission in sixth grade and she began to post them to her channel named booitslexi.

“At first when she wanted to, she was not allowed to, I was not okay with it at all. Then as she got older, I trusted her more and she built her trust. [Then] she was allowed to post videos,” Kate Shipp, Lexi’s mother, said.

Once Kate saw one of Lexi’s first YouTube videos of a song Lexi had written, it opened her eyes to Lexi’s talent.

“I was so impressed with her [and] you get to see a side of your kid that you don’t normally know,” Kate said.

It normally takes Lexi half an hour to film and then anywhere from two to six hours to edit. Lexi can usually finish a video within a day.

YouTube videos could also be a source of money for Lexi.  According to socialtimes.com, many top grossing YouTubers have made up to $315,000 from the amount of views and subscribers they have. Lexi gets 500 views per video on average.

“I want to continue [making videos] to get more views. It depends on how many views you get; if you have 100 you won’t make any money but if you have 10,000 views you can make [more money],” Lexi said.

Lexi uses YouTube because it is what she likes to do and in the future, she might have the chance to make money.

“I like [YouTube] and how people can comment and give you feedback on your videos,” Lexi said. “You can improve on what you’re doing, and I like watching other people’s videos [to get] inspiration. I just think it’s really fun.”