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By GLYN MACLEAN
Staff Writer

14 year old teenager Yulia Beredenko shared every young girls dream as she entertained in her grandmother's kitchen with her songs and guitar; the love of a father, pretty clothes and being adored for her beauty by her peers. Sadly, just as it was for so many young children in war torn Volgograd, Russian 'real life' was a stark contrast to this dream.

As a young child, Yulia's father had stood over her, threatening her with an axe. Aggression and violence was an all too regular occurrence in the family, resulting in the financial hardships of a solo parent household. Years earlier she had fallen off a swing, becoming facially disfigured and requiring corrective plastic surgery. This young Russian Cinderella had little reason to believe in her dreams.

Inspired by news that a teacher had made use of the internet to find a husband in USA, the 14 year-old conspired to marry off her beautiful mother. A quiet, hard-working man from far away New Zealand became the 'subject of interest', and within two years of correspondence the new family moved to Christchurch, New Zealand. She changed her name to Yulia Townsend to honor her new father.

It was while working as check-out operator, after completing her schooling, that Yulia was asked by a local school music teacher to fill a slot on local TV. After performing her original composition "Russia", the production crew fell silent and there was a significant pause on air. The television show producer was impressed and sent a copy of the show to Gray Bartlett, who had launched the career of Pop Classical singer Hayley Westenra. Gray Bartlett signed Yulia and shipped her off to appear with Russell Watson in Japan. She performed with the Tokyo Philharmonic Orchestra, where she received a standing ovation for singing "Time to Say Goodbye." At just 18 years of age, Sony Music Entertainment New Zealand then signed Yulia to a multi album deal.

In 2004, the album "Into the West" was released and Yulia became an overnight singing sensation, achieving platinum sales in the first week. The album went on to achieve four times platinum sales, spawning two radio hits and winning "Best Female Solo Vocal Album" and "Highest Selling Album of the Year" at the Vodafone 2005 New Zealand Music Awards. In 2006, Yulia released the album "Montage", achieving two times platinum sales and a radio hit single. Sadly, Sony NZ did little to follow up on the amazing success.

She was in costume and full make up, performing in the role of a little old lady in a stage musical, when she met her Shrek. Aspiring TV & Film composer Glyn MacLean had gained recognition as a self managed artist from rural New Zealand, who used the internet to license his songs in Hollywood. Never having met before, he was quick to challenge Yulia not to give up on her dream.

Yulia married her 'Shrek', and the fairy tale duo are now using the internet to pursue a mission to inspire, encourage and empower audiences in Europe and America, as Yulia journeys further "Into the West".