For college sophomore Hannah Jenkins, the new semester means more than a return to classes. She anticipates spending hours producing her first CD for Point Park University’s new recording label, Pioneer Records.

The Murrysville native and 2013 Franklin Regional High School graduate won the school’s first singer/songwriter contest in late November, earning her the honor of being the first artist to record three songs at the Red Caiman Media recording studio on Fifth Avenue.

The studio is part of a new academic partnership between Red Caiman Media and Point Park in which students in Point Park’s Sports, Arts and Entertainment Management program can learn all aspects of the recording industry.

“It’s the best of both worlds. I want to go into the music business. I get to see firsthand how the music industry works, and I get to be the recording artist,” said Ms. Jenkins, 20.

Ms. Jenkins was among the more than 20 individuals and groups who entered the contest. She submitted three original songs, recorded on an MP3 file, to Ed Traversari, professor in the entertainment management department. He and others there evaluated the recordings based on originality, quality and writing potential.

“We liked her voice. It was very appealing,” said Mr. Traversari, who has 33 years in Pittsburgh’s concert promotion business.

When Ms. Jenkins begins recording this semester, other students in the department will learn the process through three classes that focus on what it’s like to be “behind the scenes” in a career in the entertainment industry, Mr. Traversari said.

Those in the talent and management class will advise Ms. Jenkins on legal issues. Students in the event management and concert class will set the stage for her April release party, including fine-tuning the sound and lighting systems for her outdoor performance.

The marketing and promotion class will draft a marketing plan for the CD release party and the launch of her career.

“I want her to have the marketing plan to use when she goes her own way,” Mr. Traversari said.

Between semesters, Ms. Jenkins met with Red Caiman owner and producer Jesse Naus, and the two selected the songs, from seven original pieces, that she will record. In addition to professional studio musicians, she will play guitar on the CD.

After recording is complete, she will receive 300 copies of the CD to send to other record labels.

Ms. Jenkins said she has always loved to sing. On a trip to the Outer Banks when she was 11, she sang a karaoke version of Melissa Manchester’s, “Don’t Cry Out Loud,” to a crowd of about 200 and received a “very positive response,” she remembered.

“That was the point where I decided I love singing,” she said.

As a senior at Franklin Regional, she won the school’s “Franklin Idol” contest, belting out Adele’s “I Found a Boy.”

“I define myself as a pop singer songwriter,” she said. Her songs, like those of Taylor Swift, tell a story, she said. She also gets inspiration from Ed Sheeran and Stevie Nicks.

For her, the songwriting process isn’t difficult.

“It just kind of flows,” she said. “I get an idea, then get my guitar and just start trying out different chords.”

HANNAH JENKINS

AGE: 20

HOMETOWN: Murrysville

EDUCATION: Sophomore, Point Park University

FAMILY: Mother, Donna; father, Jim; sisters, Heather, 22, and Hollie, 15

WHAT’S IMPORTANT TO YOU: Music. “It’s an outlet for getting my feelings out.”

FIRST JOB: H&M clothing store on the South Side, where she still works

WHEN YOU WERE A KID, YOU WANTED TO BE: A singer

HOBBIES: Skiing

WHAT’S PLAYING ON YOUR TV: “The Voice,” “American Idol’’

WHO’S ON YOUR PLAYLIST: John Mayer, Sara Bareilles

FANTASY CELEBRITY DINNER DATE: Nick Jonas

WHO WOULD PLAY YOU IN A MOVIE ABOUT YOUR LIFE: Emma Stone

PEOPLE WOULD BE SURPRISED TO KNOW: “I tried out for ’American Idol’ and ’The Voice.’ ”

GUILTY PLEASURE: Bacon

IF YOU HAD IT TO DO ALL OVER, YOU WOULD: “Audition again for my senior musical in high school.’’

FAVORITE SPOT IN THE WORLD: The Outer Banks

MOST EMBARRASSING MOMENT: ”There are so many I can’t name just one.’’

BEST USE OF A $100 GIFT CARD: “Put it toward a new guitar.’’

PROUDEST MOMENT SO FAR: ”Winning the Point Park singer/songwriter contest.’’

GOALS IN NEW YEAR: “To have a positive attitude about everything.’’

WHAT’S ON YOUR BUCKET LIST: ”To be on ’The Voice.’ ’’ 

First Published: January 15, 2015, 5:00 a.m.