Breeze has Talent 2019 winner set to light up Leeds this Christmas

17 year-old Sophie Littlejohns has been crowned winner of this year’s Breeze has Talent competition at an event showcasing Leeds’ most talented young performers.

The final of this year’s competition was hosted by radio presenter and former Leeds United FC player, Sanchez Payne, at Northern Ballet’s Stanley and Audrey Burton theatre on Sunday.

Now in its twelfth year, Breeze has Talent has given almost 1,000 children and young people in Leeds the chance to shine and, for many winners, a stepping stone to greater things. Leeds City Council’s Breeze team, organiser of the annual competition, is regularly contacted by national TV talent shows which is testimony to the quality of the young talent coming through and the profile Leeds is building through the work of a range of local organisations dedicated to supporting young performers who live in the city.

Sunday’s final was the culmination of Breeze has Talent 2019, which started in June with auditions at the White Rose Centre, followed by heats at the Big Breeze fest at Temple Newsam.

Judges Henna Angus from, Paramount Music, Isaac Heywood from Rock School, Sheila Howarth from West Indian Carnival Committee, and Amy Smith from DAZL, had the very hard task of choosing the winner.

Sophie Littlejohns impressed the judges by singing her own composition, ‘I wanna know’. She will go on to perform at the Leeds Lights Switch On which takes place on Thursday 7 November on Victoria Gardens in the city centre. All of the finalists will perform at local Christmas lights switch on events across the city. 

Following her win, Sophie said:

“I feel really honoured to have won Breeze has Talent with an original song. It was made extra special because this will be the last year I am able to compete.

“The effort that was put into the event, including the fantastic boot camps, was amazing. It is a fantastic event that keeps growing, and I hope it continues to.

“The Breeze team has been so encouraging and supportive, and I would like to thank them all.”

Councillor Salma Arif, deputy executive member for children and families, said:

“I was blown away by the talent at this year’s Breeze has Talent final. Well done to all the young people who performed, and congratulations of course to Sophie on winning the competition. Her performance was stunning, and the fact she wrote the song herself is so impressive.

“It’s great that so many young people living in Leeds take part in the competition every year. We see lots of extremely talented young performers return, even more determined and even more brilliant. Their energy and dedication is truly inspiring.”

Breeze has Talent forms part of Leeds City Council’s annual Breeze summer programme. Breeze provides a range of positive opportunities for children and young people age 0—19 and their families living in Leeds. For more information go to https://breezeleeds.org/

Breeze Has Talent winner Sophie Littlejohns can be found online at: https://youtu.be/uVAqsZekGDc

About Breeze Has Talent

Now in its 12th year, Breeze has Talent is a talent competition for young people aged between 8 – 18.  We have had some fantastic young people come through the competition.  It has been our privilege to see many of them stretch and develop their talents and move on to stages around the world.   Everyone who has entered has conquered the stage and entertained the crowds.  Breeze has Talent has also become a regular point of call for the organisers of Britain’s Got Talent,  The X Factor  and now The Voice Kids UK who all check out our youtube videos and contact us for our talent tips. 

Our aim is to provide a nurturing environment for those young people who enter the competition. Although there are only three prizes our aim is for everyone who enters to feel like a winner. Throughout the competition our judges are on hand to encourage and guide and, between the judges and the Breeze team, we know where to go in Leeds to find additional support in your chosen art form.  Breeze Has Talent finalist also attend ‘boot camp’ to help polish their performance for the Breeze Has Talent Finals night.

Competitions are a really good way of focusing on your performance but we also offer lots of out of competition performance opportunities at our Breeze on Tour and Mini Breeze events, as well as workshops at Breeze on Tour from Rock School, Street Dance and Music Production - so just join in and have fun.

About the Competition

Important dates for the 2019 competition!

Please note applications have closed and auditions have been completed.

The Prizes

What are the prizes? The winner of Breeze has Talent will perform live on stage at the Leeds Christmas Lights switch on! The winners will also receive prizes worth £300* - the 2nd Place act will receive prizes worth £200* - and the 3rd Place act will receive prizes worth £100*.

The Auditions and Heats

2018 Winners

Our Breeze Has Talent Finals took place on Sunday 7th October at the Stanley & Audrey Burton Theatre, what a great night!

2018 Finalists: Singer/songwriter/pianist Danny Kelly, Singer Megan Anastazja, Singer Georgia Caslin, Classical singer Frankie Bounds, Singer Ava Bounds, Singer Philomena Chege, Singer Shay Lily,
Singer Jessica May Frost, Majorette/Gymnast Demi Lloyd, Singer Kirpa Suwali, Singer Will McPherson, Dancers Dance Divas.

2017 Winners