Hayley Westenra Receives American Award

Teen singing star Hayley Westenra is being embraced by the US music scene with her very first award, just two months after the release of her acclaimed multiplatinum debut 'Pure' (Decca).

On June 3, Hayley is being honored with the "2004 Favorite Up-And-Coming Artist Award" at the 12th Annual American Society of Young Musicians Spring Benefit Concert & Awards at the House of blues in Los Angeles on June 3. This award is bestowed annually upon "an artist whose unique contribution to music, either vocally or instrumentally, has brought new inspiration to the music community, which other up-and-coming artists aspire to follow." Previous recipients of the ASYM Favorite Up-And-Coming Artist Award have been: Kelly Clarkson, Pink, Josh Groban and Mandy Moore.

The American Society of Young Musicians (ASYM) is a national non-profit organization comprised of musicians, music students, music advocates, and individuals within the music and entertainment community, who share a common commitment to the enrichment and advancement, both educationally and artistically, of promising young artists.

Hayley Westenra's album 'Pure' debuted at #2 on the Billboard Classical Crossover chart right behind Josh Groban, where it has remained for the three consecutive weeks since its release, while simultaneously sitting on the Billboard Top 200 pop chart.