Cayman’s upcoming young performers were showcased at the Young Talented Stars event held on Saturday, 12 March.
LeBorn McLean, a seven-year-old hip hop dancer from West Bay, triumphed in the juniors (ages six to 10), gaining 385 points and winning $500 in the process, while in the adult section, 13-year old singer-guitarist Ashley Ebanks-Hoybia wowed the judges to the tune of 383 points.
Ashley won $700.
The 15 acts in the final were judged in a number of categories, including stage presence, performance, originality, entertainment and audience reaction.
All are winners
Organiser Nolly Brown tells Weekender that Finals Night, which showed the culmination of several weeks of regional heats, was a success.
“Each of the kids came on stage and made me proud with their breath-taking performances. The Cayman Islands has so many talented young Caymaninans out there and we have only seen a few that came forward to Young Talented Stars.
This year was a success, and all my kids that performed are winners in my eyes.
“I am happy to be able to put on these events every year … just the look on the kids’ faces as they perform for us makes me think it is all worthwhile in the end.”
Brown has a special message for the two category winners, too.
“To LeBorn, I would like to say follow your dreams as you are a star, and remember, with hard work you will always be a winner. And well done, Ashley; keep writing your music … looking for great things from you this year.”
So far, adds Brown, $600 has been raised. A Brac Young Talented Stars event is set for Saturday, 23 April, when Brown hopes to raise more money for young Markus Lionel Hernandez-McLean, who was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia in February 2010.
Young Talented Stars was established in memory of Martika Rankine, who passed away from leukaemia nine years ago.
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