LSJ: Front row center: Linda Abar

Front row center: Linda Abar

Linda Abar

Bridgette Redman | For the Lansing State Journal

Linda Abar insists she is not an entertainer and she's not a performer.

Rather, she sings her music to heal herself and others. This Saturday she'll be spreading that healing with an album release concert, celebrating the first release of music that she has both written and performed.

A performer and music teacher, Abar has had many people tell her how much her music at concerts affects them.

"It's a strange thing to be an artist. I'm not an entertainer. If I entertain it's by default because I'm silly or a little nuts, but I don't entertain. I get up there and do this intimate thing with my songs in front of other people. Singing music kind of heals me. I know people who have heard me sing before have said that they're very soothed. They appreciate my honesty; they appreciate that I'm willing to express how I feel."

Her music, which she describes as its own unique style with influences of classical, jazz, Celtic and folk, comes from years of life experiences and musical training. She says she has been singing as long as she can remember, with early concerts being at church and in the neighborhood with childhood friends. She went on to study music at Michigan State University, earning two degrees in vocal music education and music theory and composition.

"I've worked on my voice. I've worked on my craft. I write interesting songs that are not like others," Abar said. "My music is not messing around. It says, 'Let's go to our core issues. Let's say what it feels to be human when you're really letting yourself feel it.' My music is a lot like yoga. It relaxes and centers you, but you feel more present."

Abar said she's wanted to make an album since her college days, but she had to graduate and get a job. From there, she started teaching elementary school, bought a house, and got married. While the marriage and teaching in Catholic schools didn't work out, she said she's learned a lot from life and has more to express in her music.

Now she teaches private lessons in her studio, Howling Dogs Music Studio, and teaches elementary music at Montessori Children's House of Lansing. She also continues to perform live.

"I think people need to experience live music a couple times to understand what they're going to get. Seeing people live is completely different. You feel their presence. When you see someone perform, their bodies change."

Her release concert tonight will feature music from her album, "Once Upon a Time." The Neil Gordon trio will be backing her up while she performs at the Unitarian Universalist Church in East Lansing.

She also plans to return to recording music. "I already have a whole other CD worth of music written. I've been writing poetry on the fly. I have a lot to say. Eventually, I'll say it."

• Show details: Unitarian Universalist Church, Grove St., East Lansing, 7 p.m. $10. Tickets available at Elderly Instruments, Archives Bookstore, and Everybody Reads bookstore. Samples of her music are available at www.lindaabar.com.

Coming Up: Celebrate Abilities

The Michigan State University Music Therapy program invites the public to come and celebrate abilities with its 10th annual recital. This year's recital will be held in the MSU Union Lobby at 4:30 p.m. Friday.

The concert began in 1999. Randy Carrier, a band director in Benton Harbor, was recovering from a cerebral hemorrhage. This year, the event will celebrate through music the abilities of children and adults diagnosed with special needs such as autism, traumatic brain injuries, mental and physical impairments, developmental disabilities, or mental illnesses.

The recital features people with and without special needs. Scheduled performances include a sax jazz combo; several rock 'n' roll combos including some Elvis and Queen songs; a Disney vocal group; a kazoo choir; a violin/hand chime/vocal ensemble performing "Close to You;" a country/Western combo; and a vocal ensemble. MSU music therapy students and MSU Community Music School music therapists will assist and perform with the groups.

The recital is free and open to the public, with snacks and drinks available between performances. Donations will be accepted to benefit the MSU Music Therapy program.

Bridgette Redman's column appears Thursdays in What's On. Have a performing-arts event to promote? Contact her at bredman.lsj@gmail.com. Also, check out her blog at frontrowlansing.blogspot.com.