Awards & Feedback

Finding Inspiration in Every Turn

At Elevate Eisteddfod, we believe that the true spirit of performance lies not in ranking performers against each other, but in the personal journey of growth and excellence. For this reason, we do not use a first, second, and third place ranking system. Instead, we focus on recognizing the unique talents and hard work of each performer. Our awards and feedback system is designed to encourage performers to push their boundaries, celebrate their individual achievements, and strive for continuous improvement.

Awards for Each Age Division within a Category

Most Outstanding Performance

Criteria: Excellence in artistry, technique, and overall impact.

This award goes to a performer whose presentation stands out for its overall excellence. It’s not just about hitting the right notes, but about the full experience—how the performer connects with the audience, their technical precision, and how their passion and energy shine through in every aspect of their performance. This award recognizes a performer with outstanding technical ability in their vocal delivery. It’s about the fundamentals: pitch accuracy, breath control, tone quality, and vocal range. This performer demonstrates a strong command of their voice and vocal technique.

Vocal Artistry

Criteria: Creativity, emotional depth, and the ability to interpret the song in a personal way.

This award celebrates the performer who takes the music and makes it their own. It’s not just about following the notes; it’s about adding depth, emotion, and a unique perspective that moves the audience. This performer brings a personal, creative twist that elevates the song beyond its original form.

Stage Presence

Criteria: Confidence, energy, and stage command.

The performer who wins this award exudes confidence and presence. They own the stage and engage the audience, drawing them into the performance. It’s about how they move, how they interact with the crowd, and how they bring energy and charisma to every moment.

Special Awards

Audience Choice Award

Criteria: Voted by the audience for the most memorable and engaging performance.

This award is based on audience reaction. The performer who wins this award has made a lasting impression through their energy, engagement, and overall performance. It’s the performance that resonated most with the audience, leaving a memorable impact.

Rising Star Award

Criteria: Exceptional promise and potential in younger performers.

This award is for a younger performer (typically under 14) who shows remarkable potential, talent, and promise. It’s given to someone whose performance stands out not only in skill but in their ability to evolve and grow as an artist. This award celebrates the future of performing arts.

Creative Spirit Award

Criteria: Embodies creativity, passion, and perseverance.

This award is for a performer who exemplifies the core values of Elevate Eisteddfod: creativity, passion, and perseverance. It’s for someone who shows a strong commitment to their craft, remains dedicated even in the face of challenges, and brings a positive, inspiring energy to the event.

Artistic Merit Award

Criteria: Boldness, innovation, and originality in the Artist's Choice Category.

This award is exclusive to the Artists Choice category, where performers are free to express themselves in any genre. The Artist's Choice Excellence Award recognizes performers who take bold risks, push boundaries, and showcase innovative thinking, creating something truly unique and memorable.

Feedback Provided by Our Evaluators

At Elevate Eisteddfod, feedback is an integral part of our event experience. Rather than focusing on competition, we believe in empowering performers to compete with themselves — to grow and evolve as artists.

How Feedback Works

Each performer will receive personalized feedback based on the following criteria:

Vocal Technique: Tone, pitch, control, and overall vocal quality.
Stage Presence: Confidence, energy, audience engagement, and use of the stage.
Artistic Interpretation: Emotional connection and creativity in the performance.
Creative Expression: Originality and flair brought to the act.

Feedback is designed to provide clear, actionable advice on how to improve and refine performance skills, whether that be vocal technique, stage presence, or overall performance style.

Our Approach to Feedback

Rather than ranking performers, our approach to feedback is about recognizing the hard work and dedication of each individual. Performers are evaluated on their own merits and given constructive feedback to inspire growth and improvement.

We believe that the journey is just as important as the performance itself, and we celebrate every performer for their courage to step on stage and share their art. Our Evaluators provide insights into areas of strength and suggestions for development, helping performers to refine their craft and keep progressing.