MEET Isle of Wight achievers in the arts recently announced under Red Funnel's Island Ambassadors initiative for 2024.

SCROLL DOWN FOR MORE PHOTOS

Aimed at celebrating local talent, the initiative supports artists and performers, as well as athletes, who each live, work and train on the Isle of Wight, on their path to high-level success.

Isle of Wight County Press: Freestyle dancer Isabel DomineyFreestyle dancer Isabel Dominey (Image: Red Funnel)

The 2024 cohort showcases the diversity of talent on the Island.

Throughout the year, Red Funnel will support Island ambassadors by aiding their transition from local to national competition and status, with travel sponsorship.

A first time ambassador, Isabel Dominey is an accomplished competitive dancer making every final of her competitions last year and qualifying for the World Freestyle Dance Championships. 

Isabel's ultimate goal is to once again qualify for the same championships and finish on the podium.

Releasing their debut album last year, Jess, Steph, Guy and Joe had an amazing year as indie rock band, Coach Party. 

The album reached the official UK charts — selling out headline shows across Europe and the UK, as well as the Blood Records special edition of their album in less than 20 minutes. 

For the year ahead, the band aim to make their debut American tour a success, a busy festival and to work on their follow-up album.

Isle of Wight County Press: Singer-songwriter Rhirhi was delighted to have been chosen as an Island ambassador.Singer-songwriter Rhirhi was delighted to have been chosen as an Island ambassador. (Image: Red Funnel)

Isle of Wight County Press: Jess BurfittJess Burfitt (Image: Red Funnel)

A talented musician, singer and songwriter, Rhirhi has over 170,000 track streams to date.

She has already independently released an album and is a regular at music venues across the Island and beyond. 

Rhirhi hopes to play the Isle of Wight Festival once again in June.

"I'm super grateful for this opportunity. The Island will always be my home, but this opens up lots of doors and will help support my studies and career as a musician. Here's to 2024! I can't wait to see what this year holds," she said on Facebook.

Competitive dancer Jess Burfitt qualified for many top competitions in 2023, winning Starz UK, Ultimate Victory Dance Championship and Xcite. 

Thanks to her competitive results, Jess was selected to train with Sam Stanley Creative Associates, an industry professional, as well as being selected as part of Team England at the Dance World Cup in Prague this year.