Canadian singer-songwriter Ariana Gillis will perform at the Treehouse Café at 8 p.m. Monday, Sept. 19.

Tickets, $15 for reserved table seating, are on sale at www.treehousebainbridge.com; admission is 21-and-older only.

Hailing from just outside Toronto, Gillis began taking singing lessons at the age of 6 — but was hardly thrilled. So, her father encouraged her to write her own material and learn to play the guitar. An award-winning songwriter himself, he gave her invaluable insight into the process.

Gillis made an immediate impact on the Canadian folk music scene, winning Songwriter of the Year at the 2009 Niagara Music Awards, followed by Female Vocalist and Album of the Year in 2010, as well as 2009 Canadian Folk Music Award, Young Performer of the Year.

When played on Sirius XM, she caught the attention of Elton John’s songwriting partner Bernie Taupin, which in turn, led to Nashville singer-songwriter Buddy Miller.

Fast forward a year later and Miller witnessed Gillis perform at the City Winery in Nashville, experiencing first-hand the conviction and power of her song writing, singing and stage presence.

This led to further conversations and ultimately brought them together to create the album, “The Maze.”

Recorded live-off-the-floor in Nashville at Miller’s studio, this album features lyrics and performances that feel both natural and strangely unique all at once.