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The 42nd Annual National Children’s Festival of the Arts (NCFA) kicked off with secondary school adjudications in late February, culminating in a spectacular final concert on Wednesday, 11 March. The festival, a staple of the Cayman Islands’ arts calendar since 1982, celebrated the talent of public, private, and homeschool students across a variety of disciplines.

Adjudications Highlight Rising Stars in the Arts

This year saw 170 entries for solo and ensemble performances spanning several categories, including vocals, instrumentals, speech, dance, and drama. Each performance was evaluated by industry leaders and scored out of 100, with participants receiving platinum, gold, silver, or bronze awards. In addition to the awards, students received constructive feedback to help them improve their skills and performances in the future.

Cayman Brac hosted its adjudications on 24 February, where students showcased their talents with two receiving gold awards, six earning silver, and six awarded bronze. Grand Cayman secondary students then took to the stage from 25 to 28 February, resulting in 48 gold, 67 silver, and 39 bronze awards.

Kimberly Kirkconnell, Senior Customer Service Manager at the Department of Education Services (DES), emphasized the strong engagement, stating, “The high level of participation reflects the enthusiasm and support for the arts in the Cayman Islands. It’s a true testament to the dedication and talent of our young performers.”

Final Concert Celebrates Exceptional Talent

Following their adjudications, gold and silver award-winners performed on stage one last time on Wednesday, 11 March at the Harquail Theatre for the final concert. A large audience gathered in support of the young talent, with 22 stunning performances highlighting the depth of creativity and skill present in the Cayman Islands.

Among the standout performers was gold award winner Bethany Mitchell, a 16-year-old student from St. Ignatius Catholic School. Representing Nicole Bodden’s Studio, she performed a captivating Latin tango on the piano. Reflecting on her participation in the festival, Ms. Mitchell shared, “The NCFA is a reminder of how important music is to me. It has been a part of my life for over a decade, and being able to express myself and share my love of music with others is incredibly inspiring.” She also praised her fellow performers, saying, “You can see the passion, dedication, and effort put into these performances. As a musician, seeing such complex pieces performed at a high standard deepens my love and appreciation for the craft.”

Mr. Mark Ray, Director of the Department of Education Services, also commented on the importance of the arts in Cayman’s education system. “This year’s performances have been extraordinary,” he said. “They reflect the incredible talent and potential of our students, and they highlight the vital role the arts play in developing creativity, discipline, and confidence in young people.”

What’s Next for the NCFA?

The National Children’s Festival of the Arts continues with primary school adjudications and final concerts, which are open to the public.

• Cayman Brac Primary Adjudications: 27 March
• Amin Mohammed Memorial Steel Pan Competition: 29 March
• Grand Cayman Primary Adjudications: 31 March−4 April
• Cayman Brac Final concert (Secondary & Primary): 5 April
• Grand Cayman Primary Final Concerts: 10−11 April

For more details about the National Children’s Festival of the Arts, contact DES Senior Customer Service Manager Kimberly Kirkconnell by telephone at 945-1199 or by email at DESSchoolEvents@gov.ky. Additional event schedule details can also be found on the DES Instagram and Facebook pages @DESCayman.