Singing star Heather Nova will coach the winner of a Bermuda Festival talent competition aimed at girl singer/songwriters.

The champion will perform with Ms Nova at her two festival concerts in February.

The competition is part of the festival’s On Stage Competition, aimed at youngsters aged between 11 and 19.

Ms Nova, Sheila Smith and Gita Blakeney-Saltus will act as judges and Bermuda’s Wall Street Band are the host band.

Festival director T.J. Armand said the all-girl competition, for those aged 14 to 19, was a new feature for the On Stage event.

The main competition will feature ten performers, aged 11 to 19, who will compete to win a performance slot for a festival act in the January to March line-up, as well as a $1,500 cash prize.

Mr Armand said: “The inaugural competition proved to be one of the most successful productions of the festival’s last season, bringing the community together for a celebration and recognition of young talent.”

The second On Stage competition is on February 6 and the online application deadline for the first round is November 19.

The first round will involve a video submission, followed by a live audition on December 8.

The finalists will compete in front of a live audience on February 6 with the Wall Street Band.

• Tickets for the competition are available at ptix.bermudafestival.org/Show/3187. For more information, visit bermudafestival.org/outreach/