This week, she took time out of her busy schedule and took our reporter, Nichola Forgrave, back through her family tree, admitting that her upbringing in Northern Ireland has had a huge influence on her work.

"Mr father, Alex McIlherene, was an accountant in Coleraine. My mother's name was Dora McGrath. Her family had a butcher shop in the centre of Coleraine for many years."

Living in Portrush from an early age, Andra, who now lives in an old shoe factory in Northampton, recalls attending Carnalridge Primary School; "My grandfather built the house that is now the police station in Portrush, we lived there for a time.

"After my fatyher died we moved to Belfast. Before that, I can remember going on the bus to Carnalridge and playing in the playground there," said Andra.

After being educated in Strathern, in Belfast, Andra furthered her education at Kent University studying studying English and American Literature. Whilst at university she went on to play lead roles in various operettas.

" I have played the piano and sung for as far back as I can remember. I sang in local festivals, competitions and concerts, then gradually progressed to having lead roles in the university shows," recalled Andra.

After qualifying as a teacher, Andra worked in schools for children with learning and behavioural disabilities, before taking up music, teaching and performing full time.

She is now in the middle of a national tour and has released two albums. The albums 'People we once new' and 'Your time' have received raving reviews and have been described as "exquisite" and "remarkable".
""The tour is great, but hard work," admitted Andra. "I'm working with top British musicians like Nick Weldon, Jeff Clyne, Trevor Tomkins and Art Themen, and we're a very intense combination."

The singer has fond memories of Coleraine. "I love coming back to Coleraine. I used to visit quite a lot before my mother died. It's a great shopping town and I would often go back to pick up gig outfits, I hope to return soon."

A jazz singer from Northern Ireland isn't a common sight, but Andra says her upbringing has had a big influence on her: " Going from my up bringing in Northern Ireland to jazz, is an unusual journey, but I have to say I identify with Northern Ireland. I think that the strong folk genre there has had a real influence on me.

"I'm currently working on a number of different projects. Everything is changing technologically in the world of music and it's a case of wait and see. I've loads of scope to develop my voice and that's really what I want to do."

To find out more about Andra and listen to her work visit www.andrasparks.co.uk