By ED COURRIER

Special to The Press

A 2018 Parkland High School graduate, Nashville-based pop artist Skylar Lee Gutman recently released her latest single “Roman Holiday.”

Inspired by the classic 1953 film of the same name starring Audrey Hepburn and Gregory Peck, “Roman Holiday” is about finding refuge in love, even when life deals you the wrong card, according to the singer-songwriter.

“Roman Holiday” was written by Gutman, Hannah Diones and Kassidy Knight.

Produced by Gutman and Sean Rogers, the song was released in October 2021.

“It tells a great story about the right person, but at the wrong time,” says Gutman, of what is now one of her favorite movies,”

For the young songwriter, “Roman Holiday” serves as a metaphor for love and warm memories, even if things don’t always work out.

While majoring in “songwriting and the music business” at Belmont University, the 2022 graduating senior has been active in Nashville’s vibrant music scene.

In addition to writing, composing and producing tunes solo or in collaboration with other talent, Gutman performs at local venues.

Skylar Lee Gutman shortened her moniker to “Skylar Lee” when she started pursuing a career as a recording artist.

Lee is the name of her maternal grandfather.

As a high school senior, Gutman wrote and performed “Ticket for Nashville” at Parkland’s Senior Cabaret talent show.

“It was a difficult goodbye, but it was also a hello,” relates Gutman about her mixed feelings expressed in the lyrics.

Australian songwriter Rory Adams co-wrote it while the two were studying at a Berklee College of Music program in Boston, Mass.

She was also involved in choir, chorale, spring musicals, children’s shows and Festival of Arts as a Parkland student.

“I’ve been singing for as long as I remember,” recalls Gutman.

Gutman admits she would quietly sing or hum while taking classroom tests until the teacher would tell her, “‘It’s time to stop,’” Gutman recalls, “That’s how I concentrated.”

The talented singer started voice lessons early on at Gerry’s Music Studio, Schnecksville.

Piano lessons began at age 6, followed by violin in elementary school and guitar at age 13.

Gutman’s favorite musical instrument is her six-string Martin. She also plays a 12-string Taylor.

She credits Parkland District elementary music teacher Christine Lerew for encouraging her musical interests.

“She actually was the person who discovered I had perfect pitch,” she reflected gratefully.

Although she composed little ditties early on, Gutman penned her first body of sheet music around age 10.

“It was called ‘Music in My Dreams,’” she says, “It didn’t have any lyrics. It was more or less melodies. Melodies came to me easily.”

Her parents John and Kathy Gutman proudly pointed out that their talented daughter wrote lyrics to the Alma Mater for Parkland District’s recently-built Veterans Memorial Elementary School.

Gutman had been recruited by Lerew to assist with the project.

A copy of it is enclosed in the school’s time capsule.

Her folks framed the “Music of My Dreams” sheet music and it currently graces one wall of the family music room.

Gutman also developed an interest in art as a youngster.

“It’s more or less a hobby now,” she says, “Another way to express my feelings.”

When Gutman isn’t busy with her education in Nashville, she likes to visit her photographer and Realtor mom and recently retired airline industry dad at her childhood home.

“I come home as often as I can,” she said.

Her other single releases include “Whoopsie Daisy” (2021), “Marionette” (2020) and “Stranger to the Melodies” (2019).

Gutman’s music streams on Spotify, Apple Music, iTunes, YouTube and Amazon Music.

Follow Skylar @skylarleemusic, Facebook, TikTok and Instagram.