SEVENTEEN-year-old percussionist, Steffan Ciccotti from Kilgetty, is fine-tuning his performance in the run-up to the Texaco Young Musician of Wales 2009 final being held on Saturday, March, at St. David's Hall, Cardiff.
The event promises to be the biggest and most prestigious competition yet - hosted by former Blue Peter presenter and Strictly Come Dancing star, Gethin Jones.
Not only will the five finalists battle it out to take home the celebrated title, they will be raising money as they do so - 50 per cent of the price of each ticket sold will be donated to Red Dragon's Help a South Wales Child charity.
Steffan is hoping to impress the adjudicators and audience with his solo performance and playing with the Cardiff Philharmonic Orchestra. He will be competing alongside four other young musicians aged 12 - 17.
Steffan, whose interest in music started at the age of 10, is also an experienced jazz and classical pianist and organist.
He can't wait for the final: "I love performing, and can't wait to get onto the stage at St David's. Being part of a competition like this has been such an amazing experience for me and will no doubt help me to develop as a performer."
A total of £5,500 in prize money can be won. The competition winner will receive £1,000 and the Texaco Young Musician of Wales 2009 trophy, first runner-up will receive £750 and the second runner-up will receive £500. The remaining two finalists will each take home £250. Provided they are in Wales, the music departments at each of the finalists' schools will also receive a donation equal to that won by the individual.
Alun John, chairman of the judging panel and former music producer for the BBC, can't wait to see all five finalists in action.
"This year promises to be one of the most competitive finals, with some truly amazing talent," he said. "The earlier rounds were great fun for all involved and we were blown away by the talent of young musicians from across Wales.
"This is going to make our job as adjudicators very tough, but I can assure the audience that this is going to be a very enjoyable evening of classical music that will launch the careers of all five of our finalists."
The other finalists to join Steffan are: 17-year-old Anna Denholm, harpist from Carmarthen; 12-year-old Ben Creighton Griffiths, harpist from Cardiff; 17-year-old Steffan Morris, cellist from Neath; and 12-year-old David Shaw, violinist from Conwy.
Tickets for the final are available from the St. David's Hall Box Office (telephone 029 2087 8444) priced at £10 and £12. Concessions are available.
This is the eleventh of the biennial competitions sponsored by Texaco in association with Côr Meibion De Cymru - the South Wales male choir.