Heart and art at ChildAid audition

From a string quartet playing a Beatles oldie to soloists belting out pop songs, young people turned on their charm at the ChildAid auditions on Saturday for a chance to perform at the annual charity concert.

They were among 59 acts, comprising groups or individuals, who were shortlisted from 200 in response to a local call for entries.

Aged 19 and below, the age limit for applicants, they faced a panel of eight judges including ChildAid artistic director and veteran musician Iskandar Ismail.

Third-time ChildAid applicant Natasha Michella Da Costa, 11, was shortlisted for auditions for the first time. The Primary 5 pupil at Mayflower Primary sang When You Believe by Whitney Houston and Mariah Carey.