Top youth performers in the arts were rewarded at the fifth annual National Eisteddfod Academy Awards which took place recently at the ProMusica Theatre in Florida Park.
The National Eisteddfod Academy Awards was established in 2004 to address the need for a single prestigious platform where the best young performers in music, dance and drama could compete and showcase their talents.
The full list of winners is:
- Overall winner: Senior – Suné Niewoudt (Ars Pulcerimus Drama Studio, Krugersdorp); junior – Jason Mayr (Tiensie Lategan Studio, Randburg)
- Best Performer Speech and Drama: Senior - Suné Niewoudt (Ars Pulcerimus Drama Studio, Krugersdorp); junior - Willie Jansen van Rensburg (Sonja Myburg Drama School, Vaal Triangle)
- Best Performer Contemporary Music: Senior - Claudia Coleman-Brown (Tré Anime Studio, Middelburg, Mpumalanga); junior - Julian Hepburn (Studio Cha, Tshwane)
- Best Performer Classical Music: Senior - Ta Tria Koritsia Trio (Tiensie Lategan Studio, Randburg); junior - Jason Mayr (Tiensie Lategan Studio, Randburg)
- Best Performer Dance: Senior - Leagile Mpete (Monnyth Dance House, Hammanskraal); junior – Rachel Beth Davidson (Deutsche Schule International Johannesburg)
- Damelin College Scholarships: Suné Niewoudt (Ars Pulcerimus Drama Studio, Krugersdorp) and Yvette Ndobe (Sekolo sa Borokgo, Randburg) (For the past 3 years Yvette was also involved in the DiKonokono Festival (Festival of the Champions) programme of the NEA that supports the development of learners of previously disadvantaged communities in the arts.
Individual category winners received R5000 while the junior performer in the category earned R1000. The value of the 2 Damelin College bursaries is R52,000.
The National Eisteddfod Academy initially launched this project in 2004 for youth performers in the various regions of the National Eisteddfod and Di Konokono Festival. Since 2006 the competition has also been open for top achievers in all other existing eisteddfods and festivals.
The National Eisteddfod Academy (NEA) is a non-profit organisation that was established 10 years ago with the view to create opportunities where our youth could experience the magic of the performing arts.
The panel of adjudicators comprised of well-known artists and teachers in the various disciplines: Fiona Budd (Director of Operations, Publicity and Human Resources for South African Ballet Theatre), Roderick Jaftha (nominated as best actor for his role as Glen Majozi in “Generations”, currently acting Dr. Anthony Jackson in ”Villa Rosa”), Joy Cooper (dance teacher), Diane Coutts (well-known pianist and adjudicator in international music competitions), Johan Heystek who replaced Andre Schwartz that fell ill, Nomfundu Zulu (Features Writer and a weekly columnist at The Times), Mario Muller (cellist and teacher), Sydwill Koopedi (ex-member, Black Tie Ensemble) and Jan Engelen (actor and TV producer). Carl Brown was the host for the evening.
In order to qualify for the NEA Awards 2008/9 interested individuals, schools, studios or groups will have to obtain a diploma award in the Eisteddfod activities of the National Eisteddfod Academy during September - October this year. For any enquiries in this regard contact the NEA Office urgently as entries close on 6 June. The contact numbers are as follows: tel: 011-886-6005; fax: 011-787-3534; e-mail:
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or log onto www.eisteddfod.co.za.
For more information regarding the National Eisteddfod Academy log onto www.eisteddfod.co.za or contact the NEA on 011-886-6005 /
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