PILOT MOUNTAIN — When a young lady picked up a guitar and sang at Cross Creek Country Club in August, a blindfolded person might’ve thought they were hearing a folk-music legend — Joni Mitchell or Joan Baez, perhaps.

Instead, Surry’s top educators, along with school board members and administrators who were there, became beneficiaries of one of the county’s best-kept musical secrets: Hannah Lewis.

Though she’s only 17, the East Surry High School senior has managed to touch many through her musical abilities, and seems headed for a bright future in the field.

“She’s incredibly talented, and I guess maybe that’s not as evident to some people because she is very shy as well,” said East Surry Principal Tony Hall. “She is not a self-promoter.”

Many people are able to grasp the mechanics of music and render songs on an instrument. But possessing the ability to take that to another level and connect with audiences in a special way is more elusive. And those who’ve been associated with Lewis think she has such a gift normally exhibited by artists well beyond her years.

“The passion she has for music, you can tell it when she plays and sings,” said Jonathan Chesson, East Surry’s band and chorus director. “But she doesn’t let it go to her head.”

With a trumpet blaring and other instruments audible from a band practice this past week in an adjoining room, Lewis agreed during an interview that she is not the type of person who naturally seeks the limelight.

“I’m really a very introverted person, and I guess I always have been,” she said.

“But when I’m singing or when I’m playing ... I guess it’s such a great release,” Lewis added, explaining that music allows her an outlet for self-expression.

True to her introverted nature, Lewis admitted that she was a tad uneasy about performing during the Surry County Educators of the Year Breakfast at Cross Creek on Aug. 21. “I was more nervous than I expected to be.”

However, in keeping with what many say is her normal showmanship demeanor, Lewis delivered flawless renditions of “The Duck Song,” a humorous children’s song, and “The One Who Knows.” The latter is a love song by Dar Williams, a contemporary singer-songwriter specializing in pop folk, whose voice and performing style Lewis said is an inspiration for her music.

Lewis’ performance was greeted by tremendous applause, and though the occasion was held in honor of Surry’s top educators, many considered it a highlight of the event as well.

Her musical abilities also have been in demand for other occasions.

During the spring, Lewis performed at the Earth Day Festival at Wake Forest University. “I did about a 30-minute set, actually,” said the East Surry student, who was the festival’s opening act.

Lewis also organized a “spring fling” on April 23 at the amphitheater of Armfield Civic and Recreation Center in Pilot Mountain. She undertook that event as her senior project at ESHS to raise money for the school band, of which she is a member. The student performed there along with various bluegrass musicians.

“It was really good. We raised about $530, I think, for the band,” Lewis said of the benefit event that provided a boost to her school’s music program.

This past Tuesday, Lewis also was called upon to sing the national anthem at an East Surry volleyball match. Hall, her principal, said other performance dates have included an annual academic celebration at the school. He also mentioned that Lewis will play for a tailgating event for faculty members at the upcoming East Surry-Mount Airy football game.

Class Spurred Interest

Lewis admitted that her forays into the performing arena required a bit of coaxing. Noting the fact that she hails from “a musical immediate family,” Lewis said her mother, Wendy Dearmin — who plays instruments including the banjo, mandolin, bass and guitar in addition to singing — tried to be an influence in that regard.

“She always was encouraging me,” Lewis said. “But I was really little, so I just wanted to go out and play.”

Lewis, who was born in Pfafftown, said her family moved around a lot when she was smaller and that the musical bug really bit after they relocated to Clemmons and she began attending an elementary school in the area. Students there were required to take a music-appreciation class.

The youth enjoyed the experience so much that she decided to delve into music deeper, initially learning to play the clarinet. “I think I started playing guitar around seventh or eighth grade,” said the East Surry senior, who has lived in Pilot Mountain for about five years.

“I’m not really good at guitar,” she added. “I just sort of play guitar so that I can sing.” Lewis continues to play the clarinet in the school band, which also features her brother, Mark. Her family additionally includes another brother, a half brother and half sister and a stepbrother and stepsister, along with her stepfather, Johnny Dearmin, who is a musician as well.

As her musical talent expanded, Lewis said she often performed for her parents’ friends. “My stepdad told me I had a knack for drawing people in,” she recalled.

The East Surry principal said that Renee Henry, an ESHS counselor and an accomplished musician who has performed at numerous venues in the area, has been serving as a mentor to Lewis to help the student further develop her talent.

Chesson, the East Surry band director, said in addition to that, he has been impressed by the leadership abilities of Lewis, who also has been involved with choral activities at the school.

Along with her other abilities, Lewis’ principal said that she excels academically. She is a straight-A student and Hall added that she scored more than 1,400 on the reading and math portion of the SAT.

Lewis seeks to become a more accomplished singer, which she hopes will occur in conjunction with her college plans. “I sort of want to go to Appalachian (State University) and major in vocal performance and minor in creative writing,” said the student, whose non-musical hobbies include writing short stories and reading. “I also take karate,” she said.

“I would like to go into musical performance as a profession,” she added. This might include working in the musical theater field, although Lewis has not participated in any plays so far — but hopes to in college. “I definitely want to try it,” she said.

And those who’ve heard her perform don’t doubt the possibility of Lewis achieving major success in whatever area she pursues.

“She’s what I consider a well-rounded musician,” said Chesson.

Contact Tom Joyce at tjoyce@mtairynews.com or at 719-1924.