Michelle Tumes has taken the Christian Music World by storm over the past year with her new album, Dream, so when Millennium Nulight heard she was in the country, we decided to interview her and get the low-down on her album, her charity work, and more.

Michelle hails from Australia, land of Hillsong, Rebecca St James, Kylie Minogue, Heath Ledger and a collection of the worlds greatest sports people, yes, we to have wondered if they are taking over the world!

The latest album is a funky, chart friendly pop release, somewhat of a musical departure from Michelle's previous albums, a change that Michelle informs us "was partly a conscious decision because I love that clean pop style of music, and it was also a natural progression." One of the most poppy songs on the album is the inspirational title track, dream, we asked Michelle what her inspiration was to write the track. "The inspiration was born out of being too shy to express the gifts that God had given me. I wanted to encourage people not to be afraid of what God has gifted us with. " It is a message that is obviously very close to her heart. The music may be pop but it comes from a wide variety of sounds, Michelle sites her influences as "Tsaichovsky, Brahms, Amy Grant, Sting and U2" however the widely different influences have blended with great success, as her sales record shows.

On top of writing and performing her own songs, she also writes for other people and has had her fair share of success at this to, winning the Songwriter of the year award at the Annual ASCAP Christian Music Dinner, "I was shocked and embarrassed because I didn't even dress up for the event! It was an honor to receive this award amongst peers I really admire." When asked if she is currently writing for anyone else she explains that she is "Currently writing for other people. For instance, Jump5 and maybe Joy Williams." Jump5 are, for the over 13's amongst us, a teeny-bop sensation in the US having success in both Christian and Secular markets, with frequent TV appearances on the Disney Channel. This will take Michelle's music to a huge new audience, which is a great opportunity to use the gifts she has been blessed with.

Michelle is also an active charity worker with Food for the Hungry, whom she personally works with and endorses. So we asked for information on this charity, as it is always good to see people investing in such schemes. "Food for the Hungry is an organisation that is involved with organising people that live within the villages that are stricken with poverty. What I like about them is that they come along side the people that live within the countries. This is why I am involved with them." It was this desire to help that inspired Michelle to go on a mission's trip to Peru on a mission's trip, where she saw first hand the effects of the donations. "It was wonderful because even though these people do not have very much they mostly have smiles on their faces and a lot of joy, which we can all learn from." It's a lesson that she feels we all should learn, and you never know may be the inspiration for her next album. For which she says "I believe that I will be thinking about songs within the next couple of months.." So until then, we have no doubt Dream will remain spinning in CD players everywhere.