Finding Strength in Song: Alyssa Cashwell’s Music Journey

By: Lauren Hutchens

At Salem College, creativity takes many forms, but for 20-year-old student Alyssa Cashwell, music has become both a passion and a source of healing. As an interior design major with a business minor, Cashwell balances her artistic eye for spaces with her love for writing and performing songs.

Her journey with music began with a guitar at age 7, though at the time she had no idea how to play it. However, what she did know was that music made her feel something. By age 11, she began writing poetry and songs to better understand her emotions. At 16, she taught herself to play guitar, opening up an entirely new way to connect her words with sound. Inspired by artists like Phoebe Bridgers, Clairo, Beabadoobee, and Mazzy Star, Cashwell strives for her music to be heartfelt, honest, and deeply relatable. 

“Every person who enters your life is there for a reason, whether that is for permanence or growth,” Cashwell said when reflecting on her most recent song, “Prettiest Cry.” Cashwell hopes her music reminds listeners that even in heartbreak, there is strength and beauty.

Songwriting, for Cashwell, isn’t a rushed process. Some lyrics arrive while driving at night; others take weeks to shape. What matters most is letting creativity flow naturally. That patience extends to the way she approaches personal challenges, too. Anxiety and self-doubt have been obstacles for the young songwriter, but Cashwell overcomes them by turning to other forms of art and remembering the friends and community who believe in her.

The Salem community and Cashwell’s friends have supported her warmly, sharing her music and encouraging her to keep creating. That encouragement has fueled her drive to perform live at venues around Winston-Salem, from Roar Family Entertainment Center downtown to local vineyards. She plans to continue recording more songs and stepping onto more stages in the years to come.

To other students and artists, Cashwell offers words of encouragement: “You are always going to be your own worst critic. It took me years to gain the courage to record my music because I was constantly critiquing myself. Remember that you are capable of incredible talent, and even if you impact just one person, it was worth it,” Cashwell said.

For Cashwell, music is more than a hobby. It is a way to be vulnerable, to connect with others, and to heal. The artist’s message to her peers is clear: don’t be afraid to follow your dreams, share your art, and truly listen to the music, both in the world and within yourself.