Cassandra Gabrell, who in 2008 was the first graduate of Brenau University’s International Opera Center, will perform three concerts in the next few weeks, two of which will raise money for advanced studies at a European opera school.

Monday night, Gabrell will perform as a guest artist with the Brenau Chamber Ensemble. The concert begins at 7:30 p.m. at Pearce Auditorium and admission is free.

Then, Gabrell will perform two more concerts — 2:30 p.m. April 25 and 7 p.m. May 8 — in Gwinnett County to help raise money for studies this summer at the American Institute of Musical Studies in Austria. She said the trip, which will total about $13,000, will help advance her studies in voice, which already have a good start under the direction of William Fred Scott at Brenau.

The concerts are free, she said, but "they’re a chance to raise funds for the opera studio I’ve been accepted to," she said. "It’s a mixture of classical songs, opera arias and a couple of English songs I’ve picked, just to show what I’ve learned and kind of say, ‘Here I am, this is what I do.’"

The concerts are also a chance for Gabrell to expose classical music to more people. "I like to give back to the people who have supported me over the years."

The concert April 25 will be at Covenant Christian Academy in Loganville, and the May 8 concert will be at C3 Church in Lawrenceville. Donations will be taken at the two shows.