Thank you for the suggestions. There is a lot to learn about compression and how to make it work, it took me a while to get our previous setup right, we had used a Boss BR1600 recorder and a DBX Compressor, but recently starting using cubase as the go to of live sets because of the VST instruments that we use and for the sake of not having to have so many external components to hook up by way of using the built in plugins. So many different variables to make the sound just right but it is all worth it in the end.
I suppose the best way to set this is to have her sing with intensity like she does and play with the compressor in real time to see how much it is compressing and what works the best. I just don’t want it to sound like I’m pumping the vocals to bring up the soft spots. Have super day! 
Gary