Twelve months ago, Lucy Sherman wowed the judges at Emunah's Young Musican and Young Singer of the Year finale, delivering an "absolutely perfect" performance which earned her the young singer prize.
The Leeds 10-year-old was invited to perform at the showpiece of the JC-sponsored 2016 event, being held at Rudolf Steiner House in Marylebone on March 20. But the Brodetsky School pupil is unavailable as she is one of three girls sharing the lead role of Jemima Potts in a touring production of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. It's an example of the talent the competition attracts.
"Since winning Emunah Young Singer of the Year, Lucy's career has gone from strength to strength," said her mother Angela. "She is so happy. She's having the time of her life."
Among those contesting the titles this year are Ellen Baumring-Gledhill, 14, who entered four categories of the London heats, progressing in two - cello and piano. A music scholar at Mill Hill School, she also studies piano at Junior Guildhall. Earlier this year, she won an Arts Council prize as North Hertfordshire's most promising string player.
"Music is a big part of my life," she said. "I would like to study music after I leave school and become the musician I have always wanted to be, following in the footsteps of my uncle [cellist] Oliver Gledhill, my teacher and inspiration.
"It makes me very happy to share my music with other people."
Ellen added that her grandma had made her aware of Emunah's work in helping disadvantaged children in Israel. "She also told me about the music competition and suggested that I enter."
Singing finalist Ruby Goldblatt, 13, has a strong connection to the charity as her late grandmother Lynda Goldblatt chaired Emunah's Assata group in Manchester. "She worked tirelessly to support the projects in Israel - the cause was very dear to her. I hope to visit Emunah's Afula home soon and see the plaque that has been dedicated in her memory."
Ruby, a pupil at Manchester's Yavneh High School, was "really excited" to make the final "as the standard at the Manchester heats was so high".
Singer James Harvey is eligible for both titles, qualifying through classical voice and musical theatre. When not studying hospitality at West Herts College, he is a junior member of the Royal Academy of Music and sings with the City of London Choir. "It's nice to have an opportunity to perform my pieces," the 17-year-old said.
At nine years of age, Independent Jewish Day School pupil Yoni Shine is the youngest finalist. Yoni hails from a musical family. His father runs a showband and both grandfathers were cantors.
The other young musician contestants are Leora Browning (classical voice); John Gallant (violin); Simon Hanassab (piano); Charlotte Olsberg (classical voice); Zoe Steinberg (clarinet) and Eleanor Voak (tenor recorder). For young singer, the additional competitors are Jemima Atar, Mollie Freedman, Alex Hilsenrath, Amber Marks, Maia Phillips, Maya Spronz, Sydney Vos and Abi Wander.
Malcolm Singer, director of music at the Yehudi Menuhin School, will lead the judges. He is "looking to be moved by the music-making of each musician or performer - and their ability to tell a story through music".
The finale will also include a performance by Poppy McGhee, the winning young musician in 2015, and the presentations of the Sara Freedman Woodwind Prize and Steven Isserlis Cup for using music for charitable purposes. Proceeds from the event will provide music therapy for emotionally disturbed children supported through Emunah projects in Israel.
