As a voice major at Colorado State University, singer Mandy Harvey lost almost all of her hearing — and presumably her career. The onset of deafness was the result of an ongoing series of bacterial ear infections that started in childhood.

It was, understandably, a horrible development, and Harvey quit school.

But, by chance, her guitarist father suggested they work up a tune together, and Harvey sang beautifully and on key. She hesitantly returned to her vocal coach, who was astounded by Harvey's precision and ability to nuance classic jazz tunes. Subsequently, through her sight-reading ability, muscle memory, perfect pitch, and her artist's spot-on approach to melodic interpretation, Harvey has embarked on an amazing career as a singer.

She performs Wednesday in the cozy environs of the Garde's Oasis Room. A bonus: New Hampshire singer-songwriter Alex Preston, the second runner-up on the 2014 "American Idol" competition, will also appear.

Mandy Harvey and Alex Preston, 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oasis Room, Garde Arts Center, 325 State St., New London; $38; (860) 444-7373.