Six finalists selected for the 10th ‘Estepona Crea 2024’ contest, endowed with 10,000 euros

This year, dedicated to the Voice modality, has had a total of 15 local performers and will award prizes to amateur singers under 35 years of age.

The City Council of Estepona has announced the names of the six finalists of the tenth edition of the Contest “Estepona CREA”, which this time is local and is dedicated to the ‘Voice’, with the aim of promoting and encouraging culture and art among young people in the town, as well as promoting stage and musical projects where originality, quality, creativity and artistic innovation prevail.

The Deputy Mayor of the Sociocultural Area, Paula Herrera, announced that, in total, have been submitted to this call 15 amateur singers under 35 years; 5 in children’s category, and 10 in youth category.

After examining the conditions of participation, the six singers selected as finalists, chosen by the members of the jury composed of David Gary, tenor; Rocío Bazán, singer; and Hugo Toscano, singer; people of recognized professional and artistic prestige in the national and international scene and with links to the city of Estepona; are as follows, in alphabetical order:

– Children’s Category: Mariia Koretska, Martina Pérez and Nayeli Ruiz.

– Youth Category: Irene María Fusco Tortosa, Julia Fernández-Llébrez Gil and Mireia Rondón Neira.

For his part, the councilor attached to Festivals and Popular Traditions, Macarena Diánez, said that the six semifinalists will participate in the Final Gala of ‘Estepona CREA 2024’, to be held on April 20, 2024 in the Auditorium Felipe VI, where each will perform two songs live.

After the performances, the jury’s decision will be announced and the ‘X Estepona Crea 2024’ awards will be presented to the winners of the contest. A cash prize of 10,000 euros is established, to be distributed as follows for each of the categories: First prize: 2,500 euros + trophy; Second prize: 1,500 euros; and Third prize, 1,000 euros. In addition to the cash prize, each of the first prize winners will receive a sculpture of the Venus of Estepona, sculpted by local artist Juan Miguel Quiñones.

The ‘Estepona Crea’ Contest was launched in 2015 with the aim of promoting and encouraging culture and art among young people in the city. With cyclical character, different modalities have been established. The first year, Painting and Dance; in 2016 the modalities of Music and Literature were awarded; in 2017, Theater and Photography; in 2018, Audiovisual Creation and Sculpture; in 2019 and 2020, special Estepona Crea Kids contest, dance and voice, and dance, respectively; in 2021, Composition for Symphonic Band, on the occasion of the 80th Anniversary of the founding of its Municipal Band (1940-2020); in 2022, Lyrical Singing; and in 2023, “Video Mapping”.