'The Voice' Contestant From Dunedin Releases New Single

DUNEDIN, FL — She's just 23 years old but Dunedin native Nathalie Hernandez is already realizing her dream of becoming a successful singer/songwriter with the release of a new single .

While still a 15-year-old Dunedin High School student in 2012, Hernandez got her break as a contestant on NBC's "The Voice, performing with Team Christina Aguilera.

Looking back at her blind audition video, Hernandez said she's come a long way in the eight years since.

"On my blind audition video you’ll see my mom ugly crying back stage and myself in a flowered white dress singing, absolutely terrified," Hernandez said. "But I made it, and it really did change my life."

After graduation from Dunedin High School, Hernandez continued to chase her music dreams at the prestigious Berklee College of Music in Boston where she studied songwriting. She still lives in Boston but is planning to relocated to Los Angeles in August.

Last year she released her first official single, "Stuck in a Loop," followed by the May 22 release of "Same for You," which she describes as "an upbeat R&B/pop groove inspired by romance."

She said her hometown has always been integral to the success of her career.

"From local talent shows and singing competitions to taking voice and guitar lessons from Creative Keys music school, from singing at my high school graduation to playing regular gigs at Dunedin Smoke House and Pisces Sushi, Dunedin has been a real and important part of the process," she said.

Fans can listen to Hernandez' new single on Spotify.

To learn more about Hernandez and see videos of her performances, visit her Facebook page.