(CNS): Aziza La Pierre has walked away with this year’s title of Young Musician of the Year 2009 for her performance on the Steel Pans. The prize which is presented by Butterfield Bank (Cayman) Limited is tin its second year and was given to La Pierre on Tuesday, 14 June at the Harquail Theatre. As part of the National Children’s Festival of the Arts. The award recognises excellence in music and aims to give competitors a platform to showcase musical talent and encourage further study in the arts.
Eleven students competed for the award during the evening’s performances which also included appearances by the two guest judges’ pianist Glen Inanga and violinist John McLaughlin Williams. The holder of the Young Musician of the Year title for 2008, Saxophonist Michael Testori, also gave a performance to mark the end of his reign.
Talking about the award Butterfield Deputy Managing Director Mike McWatt said supporting the arts was important to the bank.
“We feel some of the most meaningful work we do in the community revolves around Cayman’s youth. We are proud of the accomplishments of these young musicians," he said. “Arts and music are an integral part of a young person’s development and we are pleased to support the Young Musician of Year Awards once again this year.”
