SONGBIRD'S STORY: Hayley Westenra's biography tracks her rise to the top of the British and American classical music charts.

Christchurch singing sensation Hayley Westenra is set to tell her "life so far" story in a biography due in bookshops in two weeks.

The book will reveal the trials and tribulations of 17-year-old Westenra's music career and delves into her family life.

Published by Penguin and written by Auckland journalist Paul Little, the biography will track Westenra's phenomenal rise to the top of British and American classical music charts from humble beginnings in Christchurch.

Penguin spokeswoman Sarah Moore said last night the book would be an "easy read", with the focus on Westenra's family life.

"It's a look at life so far. She has sold two million albums world-wide. It's about the show-business scene and the making of an album," she said. "It's also looking at the exceptional family life she has with her family – (parents Gerald and Jill) created a beautiful world to raise children.

"There are lots of pictures and it starts with Hayley being asked by Andrew Lloyd Weber to perform for the Queen, Tony Blair and George Bush in London."

Westenra is in Germany promoting her just-released album during a sell-out tour of the country.

In coming months she will perform at Carnegie Hall in New York, and she has a raft of appearances scheduled on United States television.

Last month, Westenra performed with internationally acclaimed tenor Andrea Bocelli in Christchurch and has recently secured a $7 million, five-album contract.


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