During the past 20 years vocal jazz performer Lisa Thorson has traveled all over the United States, Canada and recently performed and taught in Italy.
On Saturday she will perform at Emens at 8 p.m.
Before 1979 Thorson had performed musical theater with hopes of performing on Broadway. Then she was struck with an injury that left her in a wheelchair and her dreams of Broadway in the past.
But that didn't keep her from singing.
"I had lost my voice completely, so I had to go through a process to learn how to sing differently," Thorson said. "I started going to a voice teacher who was also a vocal teacher."
Thorson performs with a basic acoustic quartet and presents an array of jazz, classical, blues and improvisational pieces. Thorson said the audience will hear a mix of styles.
Shannon Farber, underwriting adviser from the Indiana Public Radio station said this type of music has the ability to reach all ages.
Thorson said, "I hope (the audience) has a good time and enjoys the music, the silliness, as well as the seriousness. I hope that they have a range of emotions. Most of all I'd like for people to feel they are in my living room enjoying the music."
Currently, Thorson is teaching at Berklee College of Music in Boston. She is teaching classes such as vocal jazz history, beginning improvisation and other classes for people who are new to music.
After teaching at a music performance school, Thorson said she gets a different reaction from the students there because they are so critical of everything they hear. She also said most college students are generally receptive to new things.
"There is always a lot of energy at colleges," Thorson said. "I just hope people come with the opportunity to take a breath and get their heads out of the books."
She said her strangest performance took place during her graduate work at New England Conservatory.
She and her classmates had to learn a clarinet part on vocals, and then they were given a recording and asked to perform improvisationally to the recording.
Thorson's professors enjoyed her performance so much they asked her to perform at the college's auditorium with the recording.
"That taught me to encourage students to try new things," Thorson said. "You never know how it will open you up."
Tickets for Saturday's show are $10 for adults, $8 for Ball State faculty and staff and $3 for students.
Read More
Three Air Jam teams take home the win
October 12, 2012Nineteen teams shimmied, shook and flipped for a sold out John R. Emens Auditorium on Thursday night during the 25th annual Air Jam.
Bill Clinton Speaks at North Central High School
October 12, 2012Former President's Speech Could Have Effect on State Senate Race
