West Reading-raised Taylor Swift’s passion for songwriting traces back to her elementary school days at Wyndcroft School in Pottstown, according to her former music teacher, Barbara Kolvek, writes Amanda Goh for Business Insider.  

Speaking to CBS Philadelphia, Kolvek recalled Swift’s early inclination towards poetry, noting that even during music class, Swift was often found writing poems. Kolvek, who gave Swift her first singing solo, believes she may have sparked Swift’s pursuit of music. 

Swift attended Wyndcroft until the fourth grade before focusing on her music career. Over the years, she has maintained her love for poetry, evident from her recent 11th studio album, “The Tortured Poets Department,” which has seen record-breaking streaming on platforms like Spotify and Apple Music.  

Her talent was recognized when she was awarded the songwriter-artist of the decade at the Nashville Songwriters Awards, where she humorously compared her writing style to that of Emily Dickinson’s ancestors. Interestingly, Swift and Dickinson are related, being sixth cousins three times removed. 

Read more about Taylor Swift’s musical roots in Montgomery County in Business Insider.  

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