A local jazz singer who studied with Grammy-award winning artist Bobby McFerrin will kick off December by performing an eclectic mix of cover tunes and originals at Valparaiso's Front Porch Music.

Singer/songwriter Patti Shaffner of Gary's Miller area was fortunate to join a group of singers three years ago on a six-day retreat at the Omega Center in Rhineback, N.Y., where she took a master class in scat singing (vocal improvisation) led by McFerrin.

"I've always really loved Bobby's music," Shaffner said.

"He's an amazing singer and classically trained. He has a four-octave range, and he literally can go from his lowest note to his highest just like that (snaps her fingers)."

Shaffner also has studied with Rhiannon, a vocalist, performance artist, composer and one of McFerrin's singers. Next year Shaffner will reunite with Rhiannon for a three-week training session held at three separate locations over the year. Shaffner said McFerrin and Rhiannon instruct performers "to go beyond where you think you should go."

"It's not just about singing," Shaffner said.

"It's about finding the personal expression."

Shaffner's path toward discovering her expression began around the age of 3 when she sang harmonies with her father. Jazz came around a lot later -- 13 years ago. At the time Shaffner didn't realize what she liked and listened to was called Jazz.

"It just became part of my listening repertoire," she said.

The Wirt High School graduate began performing professionally in 1981 as a solo singer/songwriter playing acoustic guitar.

Shaffner recorded her debut album of original music, "Everything Changes," in 1991. Her musical influences include Ella Fitzgerald and "all the classic ladies of that era" as well as Joni Mitchell and contemporary singers Lizz Wright and Corinne Bailey Rae.

Shaffner's Front Porch set list will include a song from Mitchell's "Mingus" album, "The Dry Cleaner from Des Moines." Additionally, listeners can expect tunes Shaffner hasn't done before along with a couple of new numbers she's been working on.

"It should be interesting," she said.

Shaffner will be backed by a three-piece band including Marco Villareal on guitar, Bill Romer on drums and Scott Pazera on bass.

On the night before the Front Porch concert Shaffner will perform with Sue Fink at Uncommon Ground in Chicago's Wrigleyville neighborhood.

In between performing and writing new songs for her upcoming EP, Shaffner spends time as a vocal instructor for Front Porch.

"My focus at this point in my musical career is not just performance -- but becoming a vocal mentor and facilitator for those who want to sing -- and use singing and sound to express themselves," Shaffner said.

"Singing can be very healing and the only crowd needed is the singer. We all sang as children -- we just forgot that because someone told us to be quiet, or that we didn't have a voice or whatever."