The prestigious 2016 Young Musician of the Year competition was won by Daniela Granados from St. Ignatius Catholic School.

The 17-year-old flautist performed the “Sonata Flute and Piano, Op. 120” by Edwin York Bowen, and “Hypnosis” by Ian Clark at the competition on Saturday night (30 April) at Prospect Playhouse.

There was a tie for the runner-up place between Jaedyn Hanna (14) from John Gray High School and Ruth Harris (14) from St. Ignatius Catholic School.

Jaedyn, a vocalist, gave a rendition of “Can’t Help Lovin’ Dat Man” by Jerome Kern and “Defying Gravity” by Stephen Schartz, while Ruth, a euphoniumist, performed “Smoke Gets In Your Eyes” by Harbach/Kern, and “Midnight Euphonium” by Goff Richards.

The three won trophies as well as cash prizes from event sponsor Butterfield for their outstanding achievements.

Other finalists were Liana Dacosta (vocals) from Clifton Hunter High School and Spark! School of Music; Dequan Smith (piano), Clifton Hunter High School and Mrs. Fran McConvey; Maya Antas (piano), Cayman International School and Spark! School of Music; Katherine Erskine (strings), Clifton Hunter High School; Adrian Anglin (woodwind), St. Ignatius Catholic School; Marcos Bertran (woodwind), St. Ignatius Catholic School.

The competition was part of the 2016 National Children’s Festival of the Arts, for which final concerts will take place at the Family Life Centre from 4-6 May at 6.30 p.m. An awards night will take place on 7 May at the same location and time, featuring a few highlight pieces from the festival. Admission is $5 for adults and $3 for children.