Krista Henry, Staff Reporter

Samantha (left), Ana and Senator Mark Riley.

Big promise often comes in small packages, as seen with sisters Ana and Samantha Strachan. The two were dubbed Grand Champion Performers of the World at the World Championships of the Performing Arts in 2003, held in Hollywood, California.

After becoming Grand Champions, the two moved to Hollywood to pursue their obvious gifts full-time. These sisters' stars continue to burn bright with movie and television appearances, as well as a blossoming musical career.

Known for their powerhouse voices, the duo can hit and maintain some of the most challenging notes. The two love a range of music, from jazz and hip-hop to pop.

Samantha, 17, and Ana, 22, are currently training in Hollywood, while on the Jamaican front their interests are handled by SamAna Entertainment Limited. SamAna Entertainment is made up of a group of investors and the Strachan family, and is focused on furthering the training and careers of the sisters.

Music is a huge part of their lives. According to Samantha, music is astrong part of her future as she hopes to one day be on Broadway full-time, singing at all the major award shows. For Ana, "My dreams span from being recognised as a world class entertainer with Grammys to starting a performing arts high school in Jamaica, to starring in the first opera on a Jamaican stage in the 21st century."

While the World Championships were a huge stepping stone in their careers, they will not be entering any more, as according to the girls, it's time for higher heights.

For Samantha, that may come in the form of Broadway. Samantha was drafted to play opposite Vanessa Williams as a young Josephine Baker and has been doing Josephine Baker workshops in New York. The creators were so impressed by her talent they wrote two new songs especially for her. However, she is still waiting on the confirmation as to when and whether she will definitely be doing the part. Although anxious, Samantha is patiently waiting for an answer. In the meantime, she has kept busy acting, having landed a role in the movie, Pants in the Family.

Three call backs

"I had three call backs for this movie and then, on the third one, we got the news that I had gotten the role so ... it was very exciting. There were many, many other girls who auditioned for my character. My character in the movie is the daughter and my name is Briana. I am a troublemaker and I am forever getting into trouble," she said. Samantha, who has also appeared on the Nickelodeon TV series Unfabulous, has recently been cast in another short film which should start shooting in April 2007.

"I had always wanted to be an actress and, of course, along with singing and dancing, I will be more marketable. Anything that has anything to do with entertainment I would be a part of if I get that opportunity," Samantha said.

She is currently taking classes in film acting and commercials.

For Ana, television and acting have also been viable options that have interested her for many years. As she says, "I've been in Smile Orange on stage here in LA and also hosted two shows with Samantha, From Mozart to Marley and The Noho Cabaret. I did a Christmas play in Malibu which was a lot of fun. I've sung at the sitting of the California State Senate in Sacramento with Samantha, as well as singing for Dionne Warwick and the Japanese Consul. I also appear in two upcoming films, Life is Hot in Crack Town starring Evan Ross and Kerry Washington and Walk Hard, starring John C. Riley."

Although Ana had started attending the University of the West Indies (UWI), she has put school on a hold to continue her training full-time and audition for roles. She says her future involves "a lot ... a lot of music and more music, stay tuned."

For Samantha, school is still very much a part of the picture. She says, "Managing school and my career is definitely not an easy challenge, but I have to do it no matter what because a good academic foundation will be needed in whichever career I choose. It will also be a back-up, something I can always fall back on in the future. School is fun; I'm really enjoying school, especially since it's a performing arts school and I can always be doing the things I love. I am a part of the famous school choir. I also do a lot of dancing at school - tap, hip-hop and jazz."

Since leaving Jamaica to live in Hollywood they have grown up a lot, but on thing remains the same - their love and passion for music.