Featured in Western Leader, Thursday 19 April

Ana Marina knew she wanted to be a singer from the moment she saw the movie Annie as a child living in Te Atatu South.

Now she's about to perform as Christine, the lead female role in the Australian production of Phantom of the Opera.

Ms Marina and her co-star Anthony Warlow have been in New Zealand promoting the Andrew Lloyd Webber musical, which will re-open in Melbourne in July for a six-month season.

Ms Marina has fond memories of her life out west surrounded by trees and bush where she often went for walks.

"We had a two-and-a-half acre property. I lived close to the Waitakere Ranges."

Ms Marina started taking singing lessons when she was eight.

She attended Rutherford High School for one year before moving to Australia with her family and studied at the Queensland Consrvatorium of Music where she graduated with a diploma.

She has since performed in musicals such as Les Miserables and understudied for the role of Christine in London.

Ms Marina still has relatives here and likes to visit some of her old haunts, including west coast beaches.

Training for the shows is important, she says.

"I don't smoke. I don't drink. I stay healthy."

Ms Marina says getting the lead role in the Phantom was a thrill and she would like to start a recording career in the future.

"I'm looking out for songs I'd like to sing."

Film and television is another work option, she says.

- Leanne Warr (Western Leader)