 Influences include poet Mary Oliver, songwriter Shawn Colvin, and mood maker David Gray.She has won numerous songwriting awards in the US, Ireland and UK, including recognition from John Lennon Songwriting Contest, "Billboard" Song Contest and prestigious competitions at Merlefest, NewSong, Kerrville, Falcon Ridge, Telluride Bluegrass and Rocky Mountain Folks festivals.She has been described as delivering "music as powerful as it is gentle".