Lean On Music, a local group geared at making a difference through music, is hosting a concert tonight in downtown Provo to benefit women and children who have suffered from domestic violence. The concert, which will take place at The Great Salt Lake Guitar Company on Center Street, will feature the all-female a capella group Noteworthy as well as hip hop violinist Lindsey Sterling.
Zac Jensen, co-founder of Lean On Music, said he started the group with his wife and sister in January in hopes of promoting local charities and musicians.
'My sister was applying for music school and one of the things they look for is people who use music to help others,' he said. 'Everybody can relate to music, so it's a good way to get people involved with local charities and spread the love.'
Jensen said his wife was an intern at The Center for Women & Children in Crisis last summer, and the couple knew that a benefit concert for the foundation would be a worthwhile cause.
According to their website, CWCIC focuses on providing care and services for survivors of domestic abuse and sexual assault. The center has two facilities, which serve Utah, Wasatch and Juab counties by providing basic shelter services, child care and educational programs.
McKenzie Giles, a member of Noteworthy and Junior at BYU, said she feels the event is powerful in that female artists are working to support less fortunate women in the community.
'It's an awesome cause,' she said. 'I love that it's all girls performing for women and children. We have a lot in common with them besides the fact that they've had some hard circumstances come their way.'
Joining Noteworthy and Sterling at the event will be three local, female songwriters -- Taylor Olson, Sam Jensen and Jenessa Buttars.
Buttars, who plays harp and sings in a folk-rock band, said she feels grateful to be a part of such a meaningful event.
'The fact that there's this outlet for women to go and feel safe is a great cause,' she said. 'I really do think it's important to take care of each other as women in whatever situation we're faced with.'
The event starts at 7:30 p.m. Tickets can be purchased for $7 at the door.