Aaron Lessard is focused. And he has been, for some time. A talented musician who began taking guitar lessons at the age of 9, he came to the conclusion around the age of 15 that he wanted to make a career in music, and with an intensity that belies the fact that his teens are just barely in the rearview mirror, Lessard has set about doing just that.

A handful of years ago he taught himself how to sing and enrolled in summer programs at the Berklee College of Music in Boston, learning the school's curriculum and expectations for undergraduates. Enrolling after graduating from Westport High School in 2014, Lessard will finish early, graduating this spring with a degree in music business management.

While in college, Lessard has been performing in clubs including The Narrows in Fall River and The Sinclair in Boston; he has also been working as an intern at a 100-seat venue that showcases a lot of folk and bluegrass acts, learning about the details of the industry from ticket sales to lighting, sound, and marketing.

Lessard gives credit for his development to Patrick Cardeiro, a local musician and Berklee graduate who taught him guitar at Double Bar Music in Westport for eight years, as well as to Chris Nunes, a Westport teacher who brought Lessard in to play with his band Ornament, a tribute to the Trans-Siberian Orchestra, on a number of occasions.

Lessard's plan post-graduation includes spending a few months in Boston, playing music and continuing to learn about the industry, before heading to Nashville after Christmas. Despite his determination ("I've never really had a plan B") he's a realist. "I may well end up playing guitar for another act, and having a desk job for a while."

"This is an image-based business, and it can be hard to get noticed," he said. "There are a lot of acts that are more about their image than their musicality." One listen and it is clear that is not the case for Lessard. He draws influence from both jazz and blues as well as musicians like John Mayer and Billy Joel, musicians Lessard admires for their ability to remain mainstream while integrating jazz elements into their work. Like them, Lessard is not just some pretty voice who can play an instrument — he composes and arranges all his own music.

That — and his focus — sets Lessard apart. He intends to make a career in music and if the route he is on doesn't yield the results he's looking for, he'll take another one. "I plan to be my own artist," he said.

Lessard's debut single, "City Lights" was recorded with Grammy nominee John Mailloux, of Bongo Beach Productions in Westport. It was released February 1 and is available for purchase on iTunes and Spotify. (You can preview if for free, here.) He also has an EP in the works, expected later in 2017. To learn more about Lessard, visit aaronlessard.com.