Dynamic, beautiful, and talented; three words to sum up Canadian/American recording artist Prita Chhabra.

Her music career dates back to "before she could speak," according to Chhabra's mother. "When I was in Grade 2, I heard Bette Midler singing From A Distance, and in that instant I knew I wanted to be a singer," added Chhabra.

Chhabra didn't fully realize her talents until after she graduated university with a psychology degree. She said, "I remember standing on the stage, receiving my diploma and looking around. Everyone was so proud of themselves and of me, but I wasn't. Psychology didn't give my life purpose and meaning, singing and music did. I thought to myself, 'This diploma should be a Grammy award.'" With this motivation, she began music school two months later.

Today, Chhabra has performed hundreds of shows. She writes, composes and partially produces her own music. Regardless of her still up-and-coming popularity, some might say she is a defined success. And according to her goal, she is. Chhabra said her goal as a recording artist is to make music that moves people whether it is emotionally or physically. She became aware of her success when she encountered an eye-opening experience:

"I remember a show I did and I was upset that I had to go on first. I thought they put me first because I was the worst singer out of all of the singers performing. The next day I got an email from someone who had seen me perform. He was terminally ill and he told me that my singing really inspired him. He was bummed out that he was sick and in the hospital but he realized after hearing me sing that at least he was lucky enough to have a hospital to go to. His lesson learned was also my lesson learned. I was all bummed out about having to sing first instead of being thankful that I even got the opportunity to sing on stage in front of an audience to begin with."

For Chhabra, music is not just a sound, it is not a 'thing,' it's a feeling. Her style is very unique, mixing Canadian pop culture music with Indian music. "Music just comes to me and it comes to me in a lot of different styles," she said. "I try to fuse them all together, and when I'm comfortable with it, it works." She said she is very influenced by her Indian roots and the two styles come to her naturally, blending perfectly in her head. Chhabra said every song comes from something that influenced her. "Each song has its own soul," she added.

Chhabra sang the American National Anthem at the Amway Center on January 3 for the Orlando Magic versus Golden State Warriors NBA game. Later this year, Chhabra will be performing on June 4 at Tigerfest in Milton and again in the fall at the Pearson Convention Centre in Mississauga on September 17.

Chhabra is not an ordinary pop star; she is a singer with a message. "Every day that I sing is another day that I didn't take for granted and that I didn't just settle for. I'm very thankful for this experience."

For more information and updates on shows, visit www.pritamusic.com.