ENTERING the J2K vocal competiton was a last minute decision for singer, Larritta Adderley. But by the time she heard the audience applause which followed her rendition of Yolanda Adams' gospel tune, That Name Jesus, she was glad she had.

"I was out one day shopping for shoes and saw a poster asking people to come out for the auditions," she explained. "It was a Friday. The auditions were the following day. But I went, I sang, and a few days later, they called up and said that I'd gotten in. I couldn't believe it."

The 21-year-old has been singing since the age of seven - performing locally in various school choirs, touring with various groups across the United States, and as part of a gospel group while in college. Surprisingly, although she regularly attends the Seventh Day Adventist Church in Hamilton, its choir is one she hasn't joined. And she admits she was nervous before she took to the stage at Ruth Seaton James last Saturday night.

"I sang in choirs in (my various) schools," she said. "I took voice classes at Dellwood Primary School with the music teacher there, Mrs. Butler; at Cedarbridge Academy, I sang in the gospel choir under the direction of Mr. John Woolridge and in the Show Choir as well.

"We took trips, performing in competitions in Atlanta, New Jersey and when the Show Choir performed in New Jersey, I did a solo and we won.

"And while in college, I performed in the gospel choir, Voices of Triumph, for two or three semesters. I'd never performed on my own before, only as part of a choir. (Participants had to attend) vocal classes every Saturday for two months straight and still, I was a bit nervous before I went on stage. But then I cried a little, which calmed me down some."

In addition to the honours the 21-year-old received for her performance, she won a cruise for two to the Bahamas, ten hours of studio time, $1,000 in cash, a photo shoot, and other prizes.

Although delighted and a bit surprised by the win in a competition she hadn't initially planned on entering, Miss Adderley credits others - more than her talent - with her success.

"I've always loved singing," she explained. "It runs in my family and I've been especially inspired by my nana, Mildred Blyden Davis. Many years ago, at the age of 15, she won a vocal competition and was sent to New York to sing at the Apollo.

"I've always sung gospel. It's always been (the style of music) for me. God has done a lot for me. I believe it was God who put me in the show and so I will do it God's way; in the way he wants me to do it for him. He's blessed me the whole way."

Although pleased with her achievement, Miss Adderley said she hasn't taken her eyes off what is, for her, the big prize - a college education.

"I've never thought about studying and pursuing singing professionally. Everybody would always tell me that they liked my voice but I prefer caring for people. I'm very loving.

"For me, it was always that I would either enter nursing or teaching. I never thought about music as a career. At the moment, I'm at home, working at Pizza House and trying to save some money but I intend to return to my studies at Oakwood College in Huntsville, Alabama - a Seventh Day Adventist college - where I am studying nursing."