An Exceptional Jury. A Jury of Expertise, Inspiration and School Connection

EGT 25.26 was supported by a highly accomplished and generous jury, combining professional excellence with strong connections to our school community. The panel proudly included several ESA/EEA alumni, highlighting the long-lasting impact of creative education.

Among them was Magnus O’Leary, an actor, singer and musician who, after graduating from the London College of Music, spent four years performing internationally as lead singer for Celebrity and NCL cruise lines.  Theatre-making was represented by Elissa Nicholson, an award-winning writer, director and actor, co-creative director of Oida! Theatre, technician at the Marlowe Theatre in Canterbury, and producer of workshops and showcases at The Space Theatre in London. Also returning as an alumnus was Jandro Cabello, a graduate of the Guildford School of Acting and Corazza, now working professionally across theatre, film and dance in Madrid and internationally. They were joined by fellow alumnus Borja Arbones, and a former EGT winner himself. and accomplished kitesurfer, reflecting the competition’s broad creative and sporting scope.

The wider jury brought together expertise from across the performing and creative arts. Musical theatre was represented by Corin Buckeridge, composer, musical director, pianist and conductor, currently working on major West End productions including Matilda, Back to the Future, Hadestown and Mrs Doubtfire.

Vocal performance and mentoring came from Janet Jackson Tyler-Lummer, opera and gospel singer, vocal coach and theatre agent, and the first Black woman ever cast in The Phantom of the Opera, whose career has included extensive European touring with Carmen Jones and leadership in the arts in Germany. Screen and stage experience was further represented by Bless Klepcharek, dancer, actor and Britain’s Got Talent finalist, with film credits including Guardians of the Galaxy, Thor 2, Doctor Strange and work at the Royal Opera House, London.

The panel was enriched by artists, educators and creative leaders deeply connected to youth development and education: Ryan Abbott, dancer, singer and creative director of Hause of Heels; Michael Purcell, multi-instrumentalist, published author and dedicated teacher involved in numerous voluntary music projects; Katie Mayfield, choreographer currently working on Dick Whittington in the UK; recording studio director and acting coach Chema Bazan; prizewinning dancer Alba Lopez; dance lover Pilar Vadillo, multi-sports teacher-trainer Angel Megias; Noemi Alvarez, KiVa leader of our school; and musicians Carolina Martínez, concertmaster and orchestra conductor, Reet Escribano, pianist, member of the AMPA EEA management committee and president of InterParents, Anja Fischer chorister, sports teacher and charity president, and Juan Bautista, guitarist, band leader, charity founder and education advisor of our school. 

Together, this jury represented an extraordinary breadth of experience, creativity and educational commitment. We are deeply thankful for the time, care and thoughtful feedback they shared with our students — a rare concentration of expertise, all brought together in service of young talent.

Alicante Live Final

Alongside the video competition, the local live final, held in Alicante last Friday 16th January 2026, brought excitement to the stage. After outstanding performances by finalists Lilian Valikhani Samani (singer, S7), Duo Drop (Natalia Pilkington and Penelope Van der Ven Witkowski), Kandyciss (Laura Domżalski, Natalia Chylińska y Malwina Górna, dancers, S4) and Dalia Kern (singer, P5), the panel of local judges (Andy Smeets, Fiona O’Leary, Giuseppina Tortorici and Reet Escribano) faced a difficult decision. Following intense deliberation, Kandyciss were crowned ultimate winners and awarded a trophy and a prize of €150 voucher, with Lilian Valikhani Samani awarded runner-up with a trophy and a prize of €100 voucher, concluding a thrilling evening of live talent. All finalists received a diploma.

Prizes and Recognition

For the video competition, each of the five categories will have a winner, with every winning video receiving a diploma (per person), a trophy (per video) and a €30 voucher. Three overall prizes will also be awarded:

• First Prize: diploma, trophy and €150 voucher
• Second Prize: diploma, trophy and €100 voucher
• Third Prize: diploma, trophy and €50 voucher

This generous prize fund of over €900 has been kindly donated by the Parents Association of the European School of Alicante and Upstage, the non-profit performing arts association. Congratulations to all participants for making EGT 25.26 a joyful, inspiring and unforgettable celebration of talent, creativity and community.