Andrea Derrett works as a clinical laboratory supervisor in New York. Outside of her day job, she seeks to win souls for the Lord.

The gospel recording artiste, who is originally from Jeffrey Town in St Mary, released her début album My Legacy — a 10-track project aimed at reaching new audiences.

The songs are inspired by her life experiences.

“The death of my sister Diane Derrett in 2007 inspired me to write songs. My father, who was a lay preacher, inspired me to write. The message on this album is for there to be hope, joy, peace and answered prayers here on Earth,” said Derrett in an interview with the Jamaica Observer.

She said the message of the gospel is being heard by listeners but that there are some who have been neglected.

“There is a party crowd and a dancehall crowd that have been neglected. And I want to reach them with the message,” Derrett reiterated.

My Legacy features the songs Rejoice My Soul, At Calvary, Good News, No Stone in the River, His Eye is on the Sparrow, We’ll Arise to Meet Him, The Great Physician, Jesus Your Love, He Leads Me and Miry Clay.

The album was produced by Gawain “Garnet” Gibson, while Derrett is the executive producer.

The artiste said her journey in music began while she was a teenager residing in St Mary.

“I started singing at my local churches when I was a teenager. However, I have been seriously working on self-promotion since February 2013 when I released my first single titled Jesus Your Love,” said Derrett.

Derrett attended St Mary High before moving on to study at the College of Arts Science and Technology (now known as University of Technology, Jamaica) and later at Michigan Technological University in the US.

“I want to minister to the discouraged and those who are feeling empty and lost because of loss. I especially want to reach people who feel they cannot return to a lifestyle of worshipping and acknowledging God’s presence in daily living,” she said.