Kristin Mastantuono, junior in communication studies, didn’t dream of singing in front of a crowd of people when she grew up. But that is exactly what she will be doing this weekend.

Mastantuono will be debuting music from her upcoming CD, “Revival,” at Cafe Diem in Ankeny on Friday night. This is Mastantuono’s first time singing at Cafe Diem, but not her first time performing.

“A friend of mine works at Cafe Milo as a booking agent, and they needed people to play last year,” Mastantuono said. “We played there twice last year, but this is the first time at Cafe Diem.”

The performances usually accept free will donations, with the proceeds being donated to a certain cause.

This time, the money will be donated to the Ames Abolitionist Movement, a non-profit organization geared toward fighting human trafficking.

A few of Mastantuono’s friends are involved in the group as well.

“When I heard more about it, I realized it’s by God’s grace alone that I am not in the position, and the girls I know are [not] in that position, and I just feel no one should ever be in that position,” Mastantuono said.

All proceeds from “Revival” will also go toward abolishing human trafficking.

“That band isn’t making any money from this,” Mastantuono said. “It’s a huge problem in the world, and we see it as a ministry opportunity.”

Mastantuono’s musical foundation started at an early age, learning the clarinet when she was in third grade. Once she grew bored with that instrument she switched to saxophone, then the French horn, before she learned to play the piano and guitar.

“The guitar is really the only thing you can really jam on,” Mastantuono said. “It has the ability to just create music in any situation.”

During her freshman year, Mastantuono used her talents by playing in the worship band for Salt Company at Cornerstone Church. She also started to write songs.

“[Songwriting] is a total God thing, and that’s what all of my songs are about,” Mastantuono said. “They just kind of come to me, and if I try to force them, it doesn’t work.”

The making of “Revival” was not a solo venture for Mastantuono.

“In Salt Company, there’s a crazy amount of talent,” Mastantuono said. “This is more of a platform for people to use their gifts. I’m not a solo artist; this is a collaboration.”

Mastantuono discussed the idea of taking her songs and making a CD with her friend Zachary Ten Haken, junior in management information systems.

“She came to me asking to help her produce and play bass on her CD,” Ten Haken said. “I was taking music technology classes at the time, and also have been involved with sound production and engineering for a majority of my life.”

Through playing for Salt Company, Mastantuono also met Jessica Brown, a senior in chemistry who sings harmony on “Revival.” The two became good friends by practicing music together. 

“I thought Kristin was crazy for asking me to sing with her,” Brown said. “The first time recording songs, we realized how incredibly our voices blended together.”

Mastantuono said the road to getting the CD finished has been an interesting one.

“You have this huge picture in your mind, but you have to make a bunch of puzzle pieces to get there,” Mastantuono said. “This is all of our first CD, and we’re just sort of faking it until we make it.”

The possibility of making a second CD has been discussed.

“There are people in the band who would be open to it,” Mastantuono said. “There’s the fantasies and big dreams we throw out there, but I don’t know if we’re too scared to admit that we might be serious.”

In the meantime, the group is enjoying what they are doing now.

“I hope to be involved with music my whole life,” Brown said. “It’s a privilege to be involved and I hope people see past me and past the other band members and are challenged, encouraged, worshipful, and thankful for an awesome God.”