NEA Young Performer Awards finalists announced
The names of more than 20 talented young individuals and group performers have been announced as finalists for the National Eisteddfod Academy (NEA) Young Performer Awards. The final round and awards ceremony will take place on Saturday, 19 May, 2012 at the Joburg Promusica Theatre, Roodepoort at 7pm.
Last week, after four days of the Young Performer Awards semi-finals, 80 individual performers and groups from four categories (Classical Music, Contemporary Music, Dance and Drama) were whittled down to 17 finalists, with another five receiving Adjudicators' Commendations.
"Giving these young future performers an opportunity to experience the magic of the performing arts is one of the most fulfilling aims of the NEA," said Dr Francois van den Berg, CEO of the NEA. "I thank the participants, teachers, parents, adjudicators and the NEA team for the passion and commitment they demonstrated during the selection process. Selecting the finalists from such a large group of talented individuals was a mammoth task."
The finalists, in the different genres are:
Althea Steynberg - Tiensie Lategan Ateljee, Recorder Solo Own Choice: Grade 6 - Classical Junior
André Breet - Hoërskool Florida (Musieksentrum), Piano Solo 20th Century Composition: Grade 10 - Classical Senior
Jared Keshwar - Crawford College (Lonehill), Acoustic Guitar Solo: Grade 11 - Contemporary - Instrumental Senior
Jenique Hougaard - Laerskool Kenmare, Vocal Solo Motion Picture Themes: Grade 6 - Contemporary - Junior
Kylah Jasmin Barry - Johannesburg, Vocal Solo Jazz/ Big Band: Grade 11 - Contemporary - Senior
Amory Smith - Studio Cha, Vocal Solo World Music: Grade 2 - Crossover - Junior
Chloé Marais - Studio Cha, Voice Golden Oldies: Solo Grade 7 - Crossover - Junior
Nico Thomaides - Saheti School, Vocal Solo Contemporary Classical: Grade 11 - Crossover - Senior
Carla Bruwer - Replay Hip Hop Academy (Klerksdorp), Classical Ballet Solos (Demi-Character): Grade 2 Dance - Junior
The Underworld Dance Group - Stiehla Dance Studio (Middelburg), Jazz Character Dance Group: Grade 8 - Dance - Large Groups
Shaunell Schoonraad - Heidelberg, Jazz Straight Solo: Grade 8 - Dance- Senior
Melissa Purdon - Just Sing Studio, Folk Dance, Including Character Solo: Grade 8 - Dance - Senior
Khayelihle Dhladhla, Kelebogile Musi, Banele Nkosi, Mutshinya Nkhwatshirema and Eshley Parache - Footworkz (Randfontein High School), Street Dance Quintet: Grade 10 - Dance - Small Groups
Leané Oosthuizen - C.J. Cillié Drama, Ateljee - Afrikaanse verhalende Poësie: Graad 2 - Drama - Foundation
liJordan Dowds - Crawford Prep Lonehill, English Comic Monologue: Grade 5 - Drama - Junior
Kediboni Rasekhula - Hillbrow Theatre Project, IsiZulu Dramatic Monologue: Grade 11- Drama - SeniorThe following received special commendations from the adjudicators:
- Katlego Moticoe - Dreamworkz Studio, Randfontein High School. English Stand-Up Comedy: Grade 11
- Traditional Dance - Seroophata Primary School, Madibeng (Brits), African Dance Group: Grade 9
- Leanné Harmse - Studio Cha, Vocal Solo Blues & Folk: Grade 11
- Morekolodi Percussion Orchestra - Morekolodi Primary School, Madibeng (Brits), Percussion Band - Large Group Gr. 4 to 6
- Iman Bulbulia - Kingsmead College, Piano Solo: Grade 3
The total prize money is R50 000, which is awarded to different winners in different genres with R10 000 (sponsored by Artslink.co.za - an internet-based wire service for South African arts, culture and entertainment news and reviews) being awarded to the best overall performer.
Bookings for the NEA Young Performer Award 2012 is at Computicket.
Prospective candidates for the Eisteddfod have been granted a final extension for faxed, hard copy or emailed entries (without late entry charges) until 31 May; email entries can be submitted online until 11 June, 2012.
For further information regarding entries, go to www.eisteddfod.co.za or contact the NEA Office: +27 (0)11 886 6005, fax: +27 (0)11 787 3534, email az.oc.dofddetsie@ofni.
