Serena Ryder stomping as she will open for OneRepublic at Deer Valley

The 30-year-old singer-songwriter Serena Ryder was hand-picked by Ryan Tedder to open for his band OneRepublic, which is headlining this Deer Valley show.

Sara Bareilles is also on the bill.

Ryder said her new single "Stompa," which is gaining traction on rock stations, caught Tedder's attention.

She said "You never really kno," why a particular song becomes a hit while others don't.

Ryder grew up in Canada and began performing at an early age.

Receiving a guitar at the age of 13 changed the mezzo-soprano's life. "It was total freedom," she said.

After singing others' songs, she suddenly began to writh her own.

"I had dabbled in piano, but you can't take that to the park."

Ryder learned to play her new instrument by strumming along to Neil Young's "Harvest," and over the years has learned to play virtually every instrument used in rock recordings.

She is modest about that, though. "I only say I play guitar," she said. "The others I bash away on like a monkey."

When • Saturday, Aug. 31, at 6 p.m.Where • Deer Valley Snow Park Amphitheater, 2250 Deer Valley Drive, Park CityTickets • Sold Out