In 2005 and 2006 Orla performed with two of Europe's leading contemporary jazz guitarists, Sandro Gibellini in Certaldo, Italy (August 2005) and with Mike Nielsen at the Sligo Jazz Festival, Ireland (October 2005). Orla was also guest vocalist with Sandro as part of his north-west tour of Ireland in Sligo (February 2006).

Born and raised in Belfast, Northern Ireland, Orla became involved in an influential jazz scene in Belfast when she returned to the city in June 1993, upon graduating from Newcastle University in England. Her brother opened a unique music venue in her father's bar called 'The Bridge', which played host to local, national and international jazz musicians such as Mike Nielsen, Paul Dunmall, Jean Touissant and Hugh Fraser. It was around this time that her love of jazz began and so too her quest to pursue a career as a Jazz Vocalist. She then went to live in New York for two years and whilst there was able to absorb and draw inspiration from the city's vibrant jazz community.

Following this, she moved to London to embark on her ambition to sing jazz professionally, and completed various jazz and soul singing courses at the City Literary Institute and at Morley College. Orla has also completed various intensive residential jazz vocal workshops in the UK, France, Italy and Ireland, where she received tuition by such inspirational Jazz Vocalists as Claire Martin, Tina May, Anita Wardell, Jay Clayton and Marianne Racine.

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