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But, while she plays what the class requires, there’s a rocker always waiting to break free and get the long, golden hair swinging.

When the CHS freshmen put together a ’90s-themed float for Homecoming, some of the participants might have been just pretending to be playing along to the music.

Dohner was windmilling the bass for real, hair flying in the fog in a scene that would have brought a tear of joy to the members of Soundgarden and Pearl Jam if they wandered by.

“I love the sensation you get in a song when you hit a gnarly bass line that just makes your fingers feel on fire!,” Dohner exclaimed. “That’s the music that makes me forget quite literally everything except me, my bass and the music I’m playing and that’s an extraordinary thing to feel.

“It’s what I’ll be playing forever!”

While she still has most of her high school days to get through, Dohner already has her sights set firmly on the future. The moment the diploma hits her hands, she plans to be on the ferry to Seattle, bass in hand.

Wherever the music takes her, she has her head set right, and knows the value of those who have, and will continue to, support her, financially and emotionally.

“I’ve had so many impacts on my life, so obviously I’ll start with my family; without them I’d be nowhere,” Dohner said. “That’s quite literal too; without my dad (Brent) supporting my crazy dreams and helping a little financially (maybe not just a little…) I’d be without all my gorgeous gear.”

She also gives big props to two families who have helped shape her budding career, the Kertsons, which includes son Jason, a rising singer who she’s worked with, and the Savoias, who are music photographers.

“I have had the honor to jam with Jason Kertson a few times and learned so many things from his mad skills,” Dohner said. “Then became friends with his mom whom I absolutely ADORE and his dad, who is pretty hardcore himself. The Savoias have supported me and my career completely and totally.”

But the figure that looms largest in her life is her mother, the woman who opened her ears to the possibilities of music and has been there beside her daughter every step of the way.

“She has been so forgiving of the countless times I have kept her up at night rocking out, saying “Please mom! Just five more minutes!,” Dohner said. “Along with driving me hours on end to lessons, jam sessions, and band tryouts.

“This girl has been through heck to support me and get me to where I am! Thanks mom!”

While she plays the game when it comes to school (“I always strive to get the best grades possible because better grades means happier parents. Ha!”), music is her life. Plain and simple.

“My time is mainly used to either daydream about my career of being a rocker, along with actually doing the things that will make it happen.”

She reels off an impressive list of favorite bands, with Weezer, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Sick Puppies, 30 Seconds To Mars, Nirvana, The Ramones, Guns ‘n Roses and Blink-182 the first ones to rumble from her lips.

One day, soon, other highly-creative young women looking for influences will be adding her name to the play-list.