The ‘Serenata Stars’ new talent competition 2010 uncovered some fantastic up and coming classical musicians and vocal artists.

Judged by a panel of experts, the ‘Serenata Stars’ title was shared between pianist Oliver Poole and soprano Charlotte Hewett. The teenagers also received coaching and mentoring from some of the headline artists and the chance to perform on the main Serenata stage on the final night of the festival.

Oliver Poole is also a composer and has a great gift for improvisation. By the time he was just eight years old, Oliver had received two EPTA (European Piano Teachers Association) awards and named the most promising young pianist in Europe. Originally from Kent, he then went to study in Italy with legendary Russian pianist, Lazar Berman. Last year, Poole was awarded the prestigious Founders’ Scholarship at the Royal College of Music in London, for piano and composition studies. As a young musician, Oliver is interested himself in looking for new ways to promote classical music in the younger generation, particularly school children.

Before performing at Serenata, Charlotte Hewett has had a wide range of performing experience, including weddings, operas and musicals. She currently studies at The Royal Northern College of Music. Here she has so far achieved the highest recital marks in her year group in her first two years and highest technical mark in her second. Charlotte was also selected to represent the College in the Kathleen Ferrer junior competition, where she won the Feckleton prize and Doherty Cup for singing.

If you are interested in next year’s Serenata Stars talent competition, start preparing your video entry or showreel now! You can apply to enter from October 31st 2010!

In order to be considered for the shortlist, simply create a YouTube channel (if you don’t already have one), upload your own performance video or showreel. Then all you need to do is give us the URL, when entries are once again open.

Go to www.youtube.com If you don't already have one, create your own You Tube channel by following the online instructions:

Once you've created your channel, upload your performance video or show reel. The following file formats are acceptable: WMV, AVI, MOV, FLV and and MPG transferred from most digital cameras, camcorders, and cell phones.

Once uploaded, copy the URL address for your channel from your web browser and post it to us via the application form - remembering to check the link works.

Alternatively send your DVD or CD to The Classical Festival Company registered offices at The Chantry, Iwerne Minster, Blandford, Dorset DT11 8NF.