New Age vocalist Sangeeta Kaur hopes to inspire humanity with her music

Sangeeta Kaur originally studied to become a traditional opera singer.

“It was opera all the way — no Broadway, no contemporary — and if you sang outside of opera, you were bad,” said the vocalist. “But after I went to New York City for auditions, I began to study yoga and spirituality deeply. And this started me to shift my entire perspective as to what my purpose was in life … my calling was to bring joy and healing to everyone through my music.”

Kaur, who returns Oct. 20 to the Samueli Theater in the Segerstrom Center for the Arts with “Mirrors,” has segued into New Age and classical.

But one thing remains constant: a love of music.

“When I was 4 years old, I got a hold of a VHS copy of ‘The Sound of Music,’ and that did it for me,” said Kaur. “But since I come from an Asian family, I had to major in biology and minor in music the first year in college. But bio didn’t last very longn and music won out.”

Kaur was born Teresa Mai in Montclair. She was raised in Manhattan Beach and currently resides in Marina del Rey. A yoga master gave her the spiritual name, “Sangeeta Kaur,” which means “Princess of Music and Harmony.”

Kaur, who also teaches yoga on the side, formed Empower with Art Productions. Through the nonprofit, she produced “Niguma: The Mantra Project,” which incorporates song, dance and yoga mantras.

“Being a vocalist, you have one of the most powerful instruments you can possibly have because music comes out organically from a human being,” Kaur said. “I’ve always been intrigued by vibration and sound from within yourself.”

Those who heard Sangeeta on her last Samueli visit in 2016 will be in for quite a surprise.

“Back then, the concert was classical-heavy,” she said. “This time, it’s semi-classical, New Age, even classical re-arranged — a whole different feel. Nothing wildly extreme, just creating a different sound experience.”

Much of the concert will include songs from Kaur’s latest album, “Mirrors,” which was released Sept. 21.

“They’re more than just songs from an album, they contain the meaning of life for me,” she said, about infusing her music with the spirituality that comes from yoga and meditation. “Every experience we’re sharing is a projection of our own life and how we relate to that. Music is the sound current that brings us closer and connects us.”

IF YOU GO

What: “Mirrors,” featuring Sangeeta Kaur, New Age vocalist

When: 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 20

Where: Samueli Theater, Segerstrom Center for the Arts, 600 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa

Cost: Tickets start at $50

Information: (714) 556-2787, scfta.org