The winner of this year’s EIU Talent Search will perform at 8 p.m. tonight in the 7th Street Underground.

Courtney Shepard, the Talent Search’s winner, will headline the show, performing four original songs and seven covers, which some would describe as folk music.

Shepard’s inspirations include Sarah McLachlan, Jewel, Sheryl Crow and Mariah Carey. She started her musical career in a church choir and has been singing all of her life. Seven years ago, she picked up the guitar as well.

“My family is very musical,” said Shepard, a junior health studies major. “I was brought up with it.”

Shepard participated in the EIU Talent Search in early December after winning an open-mic night and was “kind of thrown into it.” After she won, Shepard began recording a demo of her music, one of her current projects, which was part of her prize.

“I couldn’t believe it,” she said. “I didn’t think I was going to win.”

One day, Shepard would like to be a recording artist, although she said she was advised not to become a music major and declared a health studies major instead.

“When you make work out of something you love, you tend not to like it,” Shepard said.

There will be three opening acts during the show including folk/acoustic guitarist Ryan Groff, rapper Monty Buckley and singer/ songwriters Courtney and Kristen Bosco.

The band that will perform with Shepard during her set is comprised of Andrew Newton on lead guitar, Groff on bass, Courtney and Kristen Bosco on guitar and singing back-up, Iggy Czako on drums and Mark Woolwine on the piano. Courtney will not only be singing but also playing rhythm guitar.

Groff, of the band Elsinore, found working with Shepard to be an enjoyable experience.

“It’s good because she’s very appreciative of all of us helping and playing,” Groff said.