Tuesday evening’s Dilworth’s annual Arts Showcase brought together a remarkable display of student talent across the performing arts. The event celebrated our students' hard work, creativity, and dedication, as they spent countless hours practising and performing throughout the year.
Head of Learning Area – Performing Arts, Mr David Stent, commented on the amazing year the performing arts have had: “I’m not quite sure how we’ve managed to do it, but we’ve blown 2025 right out of the water and raised the bar once again.”
Highlights of the evening included captivating performances by the Year 11, 12, and 13 Drama Ensembles, Senior Concert Band, Senior Chamber Orchestra, Symphony Orchestra, and the regional-winning barbershop quartet Note-orious – as well as solo performances from Benedict Thomas and Liam Walker.
Then came the evening’s ultimate prize – Performer of the Year. The nominee citations displayed many talented students at Dilworth, with most nominees thriving in multiple areas of the performing arts. Congratulations to Lebron Ah Young, who took out the award for 2026.
Fortissimo closed the night performing their award-winning Pasifika piece from the Big Sing Finale, “Vi’i o Kiliuati,” and student favourite “La Cucaracha.”
Well done to all the performers and their dedicated Performing Arts Team, David Stent, Rhys Kingaby, Jacob Moore, Patrice Wilson and all the itinerant music teachers for another wonderful year in Performing Arts.
Award Winners
Overall Excellence - Senior Vocalist: Liam Walker
Overall Excellence - Junior Vocalist: Felise Penitani
Overall Excellence - Senior Upper Winds: Liam Walker
Overall Excellence - Junior Upper Winds: Isaac lee
Overall Excellence - Senior Lower Winds: Alan Jiang
Overall Excellence - Junior Lower Winds: Cayden Moala
Overall Excellence - Senior Upper Brass: Paula Latu
Overall Excellence - Junior Upper Brass: Joshua Inoke
Overall Excellence - Senior Lower Brass: Lebron Ah Young
Overall Excellence - Junior Lower Brass: Calvin Ula
Overall Excellence - Senior Percussionist: Elijah Seve
Overall Excellence - Junior Percussionist: Hajun Lee
Overall Excellence - Senior Upper Strings: Henry Liu
Overall Excellence - Junior Upper Strings: Yi Yang
Overall Excellence - Senior Low Strings: Christian Tuifao
Overall Excellence - Junior Low Strings: Duncan Luo
Award for Technical Management and Outstanding Service: James Collins
Transformation in Drama: Cody Lee
Excellence in Drama: Lincoln Graham-Chester
Most Promising Young Actor: Joshua Simo’o
Drummond Cup for Services to Drama: Logan Brown
Best Performance in a Musical: Chris Walker
Best Performance in a Senior Production: Deepak Chandra
The Eve Russell Cup for the Best all-round chorister: Xavier Jennings-Sio
The Junior Chorister Cup for overall excellence and commitment to choir: Elijah Aiono
The Sievwright Cup for excellence in composition: Kilifi Ngavisi
Best Performance in a Musical: Chris Walker
The Nancy Hoffman Cup for Pianoforte: Alex Bai
Service to Performing Arts: Leonidas Julian
The Michael Moore Trophy for significant involvement in Arts outside the school: LeBron Ah Young
The Concerto Cup for the best performance of a concerto movement: LeBron Ah Young
The Melhuish Band Trophy for service to the band: LeBron Ah Young
The Alex Conte Cup for excellence and versatility in music: Henry Liu
Nominees for Performer of the Year
Alex Bai
Henry Liu
Benedict Thomas
Liam Walker
LeBron Ah Young
Logan Brown
Chris Walker
Irish Cup for Performer of the Year: LeBron Ah Young
Performing Arts Colours
Concert Band
LeBron Ah Young
Liam Walker
Petaia Lokeni
Mason Wolfe
Tatsuya Tausinga
Alan Jiang
Chris Walker
Elijah Seve
Musical Production
Chris Walker
Penamino Tuia
Orchestra
Henry Liu
Corey Disson
Robert Liang
Choir
Xavier Jennings-Sio
Logan Brown
LeBron Ah Young
Kilifi Ngavisi
Liam Walker
Chris Walker
Christian Tuifao
Posala Tusa
Dylan Jones
Benedict Thomas
Joel Sundin
Petaia Lokeni
Sepasetiano Mafi
Drama
Micah Uhila
Jesse Tima
Lincoln Graham Chester
Deepak Chandra
Garnett Tofilau
Sinclair Strickland
Logan Brown
Roman Aiono
Music
Henry Liu
Chris Walker
Liam Walker
Alan Jiang
Mason Wolfe
Benedict Thomas
