by Ruth Banks

An award-winning musician from the University of Kent has been named one of Britain's future black leaders.

Management science student YolanDa Brown has been tipped for the top after successfully combining a PhD with an increasingly successful career as a saxophonist.

The 27-year-old has performed alongside artists such as Alexander O'Neal, Mica Paris, Sway and The Temptations, and has held the MOBO award for the best jazz act for two years running.

She has even performed for Russian President, Dmitry Medvedev at the Winter Palace in St Petersburg.

Now she has been listed as one of the country's most outstanding black students in a publication launched by Gordon Brown.

YolanDa admitted it was both an honour and a surprise. She said: "For me, the academia side of my life has always been very private, so to be recognised for my achievements through study as well as through music is wonderful. It is nice to know it is not all in vain.

"I will not lie to you; it is very hard to juggle. But when you have a passion for both areas as I do, you have to keep trying to find extra hours in the day."

Despite her enormous success, YolanDa has not had a formal saxophone lesson since her school days.

"Since then it has really been more of a companion; something that is very therapeutic.

"I find music a way to release emotions and composing on the saxophone has just been a natural thing. It is conversational; I enjoy letting the saxophone by my voice."

YolanDa Brown's debut album is due out later this year.