An “exciting mix” of talent will be featured at an upcoming performing arts festival, one event organiser says.

David Skinner, executive director of The Bermuda Festival of the Performing Arts, said the event would follow the success of last year — which saw a significant uptick in ticket sales.

He added: “We’re really happy that we’ve got quite a diverse group of people, and a healthy balance between local artists and international artists.”

Mr Skinner said one of the main purposes of the festival was to facilitate interaction between patrons and sponsors with artists and students.

“We think that the arts — the performing arts in particular — have a huge value for a community like ours,” he said.

The student outreach programme, Mr Skinner said, was a major driving force behind the festival.

He said: “(Over) Fifteen-plus years, literally thousands of students have gone through sessions in the outreach programme.”

This year’s programme would include workshops and small groups with a “slightly more intense” focus, Mr Skinner said.

Nancy Smith, another festival organiser, said of the student outreach programme: “This is the reason we do what we do.”

She added: “Our mission, as the festival, is to entertain, educate and inspire through the medium of performing arts. And that’s what we want to do with our young people.”

Zane DeSilva, Minister of Social Development and Sport, said he was excited by the possibilities the event provided to youth who felt inspired to pursue their passions.

He added: “You never know what Bermuda can produce.”

Mr DeSilva said the event had the support of David Burt, the Premier, and Cabinet.

He described news that the event would bring between 300 and 400 visitors to the island as “absolutely fantastic”.

Charles Gosling, Mayor of Hamilton, said the city was delighted to once again play host to a number of events at Earl Cameron Theatre.

He added: “This is an event of extremely high standards.”

The event, Mr Gosling said, fit in with Hamilton’s goal of trying to be a “vibrant city”.

“I congratulate and applaud all of those that are assisting with the festival.”

Mr Skinner said the event, now in its 43rd year, had two new initiatives for the 2018 festival.

A youth musical competition called “On Stage” will welcome entries until November 14. Cash awards will be available to the winners.

The second, “The Uniquely Bermudian Musings of Jeremy Frith and Friends”, will be a night of poetry and spoken word artists.

Local performers for the 2018 festival include mezzo-soprano Kerri Dietz, violinist Leidy Sinclair, and piano playing Cann sisters Michelle and Kimberly.

The festival runs from 13 January to 17 March.

More information on the event can be found on the festival’s website at www.bermudafestival.org.

Tickets for events can be purchased at ptix.bm/bdafest.