Photo by Michael Armstrong Jazz singer Hallie Hudson shows off the latest musical instrument she's picked up -- "Oscar," her electric ukelele.

Hudson has been studying classical piano since age 4, and knew since sixth grade that she wanted to go away to boarding school. When she started researching schools, she discovered that there were several American boarding schools with an emphasis on the arts -- a prospect that excited her.

"If I want to go away to school, I want to go where I can pursue my passion," Hudson said she decided.

Several other Homer students, including photographer Jake Schmutzler, have been to Idyllwild, and she applied there and got accepted.

"It ended up being the most incredible thing that ever happened to me," Hudson said.

Hawkins heads the jazz department at Idyllwild. Hudson said she had only taken one semester of jazz when she approached Hawkins about taking more classes.

"Marshall was like 'What can you do?' I said, 'I can sing. I can play piano. He said, 'Awesome. I need a vocalist.' I got into it and totally love it," Hudson said.

Hawkins has played jazz bass with the Miles Davis Quintet and his own quintet. Hudson said he's an amazing teacher.

"He's been the most incredible mentor I've ever had," she said. "We really bonded this whole year. He's just like a father to every single one of the kids."

She got the idea of having him come to Homer for a concert last spring break when she was talking to Bunnell director Asia Freeman. Hawkins had said he always wanted to visit Alaska. If he came, could he do a concert? Hudson asked Freeman.

"It ended up we got him up here," Hudson said.

Although she's focused on piano, Hudson said singing has always been part of her music. Her main passion is songwriting, and singing has been how she writes her songs.

"I've always loved, loved to sing," she said.

At Friday's concert, she'll be performing mostly jazz standards. Hawkins mostly teaches standard jazz, but another Idyllwild instructor is into avant garde jazz -- a new realm for her, Hudson said.

"I knew nothing about jazz. I thought I did," she said. "It turns out, I had no idea. It's so versatile. It's so much about your own expression."

Hudson plans another concert later this summer of her own original compositions at a date and time to be announced.

Michael Armstrong can be reached at michael.armstrong@homernews.com.