Three of the Island’s talented young people performed during the Kentucky Derby Week.

Bermuda Idol finalist Twanée Butterfield, recording artist and HOTT 107.5 radio host Ninja Cutty and lyricist/performer Keangelo Maybury performed at a series of ancillary Kentucky Derby events, with the highlight being the 15th Annual Kentucky Minority Scholarship Fundraiser — Welcome to Hollywood: American Idol “Derby Style”, hosted by Senator Gerald Neal and his wife on Friday, May 4.

The trio, who also performed at the 100 Black Men Private Reception and to around 3,000 students at the Youth Forum, in Louisville Gardens.

The performers went to the Derby with Integrated Global president Keetha Lowe.

Ms Lowe said the objective was to support Bermuda’s aspiring youth, as they strive beyond traditional limits, to also offer opportunities for talent and tourism synergies and to promote and support Bermudian talent on an international level, while also promoting the Island as a first-class tourism destination.

She added that the three artists brought their own style and talent and presented a repertoire of original songs for the event.

“I anticipate and encourage private and public sector to lend greater support and financial endorsement to the development and promotion of Bermuda talent such as Twanee, Ninja Cutty and KeAngelo,” she said.

“Dedication to their craft, commitment to team effort and demonstration of leadership qualities are attributes that have been essential to their presentations, particularly with the limited period allotted to prepare. Upon observing the response to each artist performing before a variety of audiences, ranging from the elite to 3,000 students in Kentucky it is evident that any of these artists have star quality.

“The key is hard work, dedication, support and opportunity. Entertainment can be a tough industry inundated with setbacks and sacrifices, however, once such hurdles are overcome, the sky is truly the limit.”

In addition, she said: “Music is an international language that breaks barriers, closes gaps and generates unexpected alliances and synergies, and this was certainly evident during the Kentucky Derby performances and networks.”