The Martin Blackman Young Folk Performers Award
The Martin Blackman Young Folk Performers Awards is an open competition to all singers and musicians between the ages of 11 and 18, and is judged and presented each year at the Auckland Folk Festival in memory of the late Martin Blackman.
There are two categories and an award is made in each:
11-14 yrs
15-18 yrs
To take part in the competition:
You must confirm your entry by sending an email with your details to realmusic@xtra.co.nz three Fridays prior to the festival.
You can be a solo performer or group so long as you are within the age category. No adult accompanists will be allowed.
Songs can be accompanied or unaccompanied.
Each performer/group will present two items: songs or instrumentals. (These are expected to be in the folk genre).
You must purchase a ticket and make your own arrangements to attend the festival.
The performance is usually scheduled for 12 Noon on the Sunday at the Barn, one of the festival venues. You should check the festival programme and updates on this page to confirm this time and place.
You must be at the Barn by 11:45am and must confirm your attendance and entry.
The winners of the Award will be invited to perform at the Sunday Showcase at 8pm on the Main Stage the same evening.
For more information please contact the Secretary to the Devonport Folk Club:
Hilary Condon,
Devonport Folk Music Club,
P. O. Box 32-010,
Devonport, Auckland 0624
Or email: realmusic@xtra.co.nz
Previous awards
2024 Winners
11-14 year old Junior Category: Nova Pavlova (Hina & Tia Bahr), aged 12 & 14 from Auckland.
15-18 year old Senior Category: Leila Franklin, aged 15 from Auckland
2023
No competition due to the floods
2022
Festival was cancelled due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
2021 Winners
11-14 year old Junior Category: Shannon McLennan, aged 13 from Auckland
15-18 year old Senior Category: Ari Leason from Wellington and Tess Cleaver from Hamilton, both aged 16
2020 Winners
11-14 year old Junior Category: Ari Leason, aged 14, from Wellington
15-18 year old Senior Category: Maggie George Flounders, aged 16, from Auckland
2019
Award was deferred due to other awards being held in Auckland at the same time.
2018 Winners
11-14 year old Junior Category: CASS (Charlotte Bateman & Sofia Roger Williams), both aged 12, from Auckland
15-18 year old Senior Category: Mercy Williams, aged 17, from Auckland
2017 Winners
11-14 year old Junior Category: CASS (Charlotte Bateman & Sofia Roger Williams), both aged 11, from Auckland
15-18 year old Senior Category: 16 year old Mercy Williams from Auckland
2016 Winners
11-14 year old Junior Category: 13 year old Phoenix Hamilton
15-18 year old Senior Category: 16 year old Tim Chia
2015 Winners
11-14 year Old Junior Category: was won by Phoenix Hamilton, aged 13 of Auckland. She writes and sings her own songs, and accompanies herself on ukulele.
15-18 year Old Senior Category: was won by Shimna Higgins, aged 16 of Auckland. She sang and played guitar and fiddle.