Shady Side Academy seventh grader Sloane Simon will take the Acoustic Stage at Gateway Center on Friday, June 1, from 5-6 p.m. as one of the featured artists at the 2018 Three Rivers Arts Festival. Simon was the only young solo performer selected by the festival committee.

At just 13 years old, Simon is a vocalist, songwriter and guitarist. She began playing guitar when she was 8 years old, after her mother was diagnosed with aggressive spinal cancer. Until that point, she had been studying piano but wanted an instrument that would allow her to always be by her mother's side. She wrote and recorded her first song when she was 9 about being brave when you are scared. Her mother is healthy now, and Simon continues to use her guitar to narrate her journey through life's challenges and celebrations.

Check out her performances on Facebook!

The 59th annual Dollar Bank Three Rivers Arts Festival runs from June 1-10, 2018. It's an iconic celebration of the arts in Pittsburgh featuring free music, theater, dance, public art installations, gallery exhibitions, a visual artist market, creative activities, food and more. Learn more.