Urdd Gobaith Cymru and the Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama (RWCMD) have revealed the names of six brand-new awards being offered at one of Europe’s largest youth festivals, Eisteddfod yr Urdd 2025, supported by Wales’ finest talent.
The awards will see opera singer Sir Bryn Terfel, actor Matthew Rhys, professional dancer Amy Dowden, violinist Rakhi Singh, actor and singer Callum Scott Howells and one of Wales’ most experienced events professionals, Sarah Hemsley-Cole, mentor six 19-25-year-olds who shine on the national stage at this year’s Eisteddfod yr Urdd
The new awards are as follows
- The Sir Bryn Terfel Award (singing)
- The Amy Dowden Award (dance)
- The Callum Scott Howells Award (musical theatre)
- The Matthew Rhys Award (acting)
- The Rakhi Singh Award (instrumental)
- The Sarah Hemsley-Cole Award (backstage)
Eisteddfod yr Urdd 2025 takes place between the 26th and 31st of May in Margam Park, Port Talbot and 19–25-year-olds need to register to compete by 3 March 2025 by following this link. A team of adjudicators representing the Urdd and RWCMD will be present at the festival to decide on the chosen six winners, the names of whom will be announced live on S4C on the last day of competition.
Eligible competitions –
Syr Bryn Terfel Award
21 Solo 19–25 years old
41 Folk Song Solo 19–25 years old
90 Cerdd Dant Solo 19–25 years old
Amy Dawdon Award
111 Step Dance in the Traditional Girls' Style Yrs.10 and under 25 years old
112 Step Dance in the Traditional Boys' Style Yrs.10 and under 25 years old
393 Solo dance 19-25 years old in any style except Folk Dancing
Matthew Rhys Award
136 Individual Recitation 19–25 years old
161 Monologue - 19-25 years old
Rakhi Singh Award
72 Instrumental Solo 19–25 years old
Callum Scott-Howells Award
163 Performance of a Song from a Musical - 19-25 years old
Sarah Hemsley-Cole
394 Backstage Portfolio aged 19-25