Sadeke Brooks, Staff Reporter

Ana Strachan - Contributed

Classical singer Ana Strachan came off her break to perform at Jamaica Musical Theatre Company's (JMTC) final show of its concert series 'Sounds of Music - Concert Gems' recently at Alhambra Inn yesterday.

Strachan, who was the 2003 Grand Champion of its World Performing Arts Championship, says she is taking a break from performing.

"I am cooling out a bit. I am on a break from all of that," said Strachan.

She is quite an esteemed musician and received high recognition when she performed a rendition of Celine Dion and Barbra Streisand's Tell Him with her sister, Samantha Strachan. This brought them a win in the aforementioned competition. Ana has also had a taste of other aspects of the stage, having starred in The Jamaica Junior Theatre's Schehezerade's Tale in 2002.

Awards

She also won the 2002 Hal Jackson's Talented Teens International Competition in New York. She was also a Prime Minister Youth Awardee for the performing arts. The singer is also taking a break from being a student in the Department of Literatures in English at the University of the West Indies where she was also a university singer.

While she is not active in performing, Strachan says she has decided to perform with JMTC because she is close to the group.

"I am really singing because they are really close to my heart but other than that Ana Strachan is not really here," said Strachan who recently returned from the United States.

Adding, "JMTC is a friendly environment whether backstage or onstage and it has an experienced production team. Everybody is in accord and they have great work ethics. We all want to put on a great show."

Strachan was reluctant to say what she will be doing after the concert.