Vanessa Lee Carlton (born August 16, 1980) is an American pop singer and pianist. Her debut CD, Be Not Nobody, was released on April 30, 2002 and included the popular singles "A Thousand Miles" and "Ordinary Day." She also provided backup vocals for the Counting Crows' cover of Joni Mitchell's "Big Yellow Taxi."

Born in Milford, Pennsylvania, Carlton began playing the piano as a toddler. She went to ballet school in New York City beginning at age 12. The stress and rigid training in the ballet lessons proved too much for her, and she chose not to become a ballerina after graduating from the academy ... (read more )