Hayley Westenra has been exalted for her pure voice and 'perfect intonation' almost from the moment her performances busking in the streets of Christchurch earned the New Zealander a break on local television news.

Aged just 12 at the time, Westenra didn't have to wait long for international recognition, ultimately cemented by her 2003 debut album, the appropriately titled 'Pure'. The record was a global smash for the then 16 year old; a number 1 album in New Zealand, a chart-topper in the UK classical charts and a big seller everywhere, even breaking in to the US Billboard 200 (at No 70).

Never seemingly at risk of 'going off the rails', the teenager dedicated herself to her art and has produced four more albums, three of which topped the New Zealand charts and the UK classical chart.

All of which has made the 24 year old a whole heap of NZ dollars and a billing as one of the classical world's most successful crossover artists. Her most recent studio album, April's 'Paradiso' was another hit and Westenra continues to tour in its wake,

Hayley Westenra begins her 2012 UK tour at The Sage in Gateshead on Wednesday 29th February, followed by performances in Rhyl and Northampton. We have tickets for these first three dates available now, priced from £26.50 for Gateshead and £27.50 for Rhyl and Northampton.

Then Hayley takes her show to Manchester's Bridgewater Hall on Monday 5th March 2012, moving on to Southend's Cliffs Pavilion before the final gig of the tour at the Pavilion Theatre in Bournemouth on Thursday 8th March.

We will have tickets for these three further dates when they go on sale at 9AM on Friday 9th September, priced from £29.50.

Ahead of the 2012 dates, Hayley Westenra has two September dates in Wales. On the 17th, she is performing in Ebbw Vale with the Beaufort Male Voice Choir and then in Llandudno on 24th September with the Maelgwn Male Voice Choir. Contact the venues directly for any remaining tickets.