By Kusumanjalee Thilakarathna Social distancing shouldn’t mean losing human connection. It is essential to find new ways of improving social connections. The Soul Sounds Academy was determined to keep their students connected and spread the Christmas cheer. So, they set up a Virtual Events Team to brighten up the spirits of all by creating opportunities to be a part of a platform to showcase talent as well as share knowledge during these challenging times. As a result, a Virtual Solo Christmas Carol/Song Competition was organised and the Virtual Christmas Ball and Awards Night of this competition was held on 16 December 2020 via Zoom. All participants, judges, parents, and distinguished guests connected with the event virtually. This was the Soul Sounds Academy Virtual Events Team's second virtual event, the first being the Soul Sounds Academy Virtual Summer Camp 2020. Soul Sounds Academy Music Director Soundarie David Rodrigo believes that this Virtual Christmas Carol/Song Competition allowed all applicants to showcase their love for music and singing and brought families together, bringing in the Christmas spirit. This was a friendly competition and there were more than 150 participants from all over the world sending in their entries. All Christmas carols sent by the participants are available on the Soul Sounds Academy YouTube channel. The entries of this competition were judged by an international panel of judges including Susanna Saw, Tommyanto Kandisaputra, and Dr. Kathy Price. Susanna Saw from Malaysia is a renowned choral director, lecturer, and choir clinician. She established the Young Choral Academy in Kuala Lumpur and is also the Vice President of the International Kodály Society. Tommyanto Kandisaputra from Indonesia is the Founder, Artistic Director, and Conductor of Studio Cantorum Bandung Choir and Orchestra; Founder and Chairman of the Bandung Choral Society; and Artistic Director of the Bali International Choir Festival. He is also the organiser of the World Virtual Choir Festival 2020. Dr. Price has performed in distinguished venues such as the Concert Hall of the John F. Kennedy Centre for the Performing Arts, Carnegie Hall, and the National Museum of Women in the Arts; done a solo concert tour of the Czech Republic; and sung and conducted at The White House. The Soul Sounds Academy was founded by its Music Director Soundarie David Rodrigo, one of Sri Lanka’s well-known musicians, and Founder of Sri Lanka’s premiere female ensemble Soul Sounds in 2000. The academy was set up to create space for young children and provide them the opportunity to excel in music, with opportunities to perform both locally and internationally. Classes are conducted by Soundarie David Rodrigo along with a panel of experienced teachers of voice, piano, violin, guitar, special needs, as well as theory of music and musical theatre. Choral singing is one of the most popular classes at the academy and has participants from as young as four to 25 years of age. The Soul Sounds Academy Choir were awarded with two Gold Diplomas at the Asia Pacific Choir Games in Indonesia in 2013. “These are hard times for us all, and with so much uncertainty and fear, one could easily fall prey to anxiety and depression. Music and the arts are known to have a healing effect, and my sincere wish is that by continuing to have opportunities for young children and youth to learn, perform, be creative, and explore the world of music, we are helping them get through one of the hardest times in history,” said Soundarie David Rodrigo. Winners of the Virtual Solo Christmas Carol/Song Competition Junior category Winner – Caryn Lee Kai Ying First runner-up – Alana De Zoysa Second runner-up – Rakhitha Widyapathige and Carson Lee Kai Sheng Best video production – Rakhitha Widyapathige Intermediate category Winner – Damsini Wijebandara First runner-up – Shane Jerome Corea Second runner-up – Elliza Fernando and Anya Rodrigo Best video production – Anya Rodrigo Senior category Winner – Uma Lekamge First runner-up – Suvini Dharmaratne Second runner-up – Dinithi Perera and Ruhani Vaidyakularatne Special awards Most inspiring video – Dinithi Perera Most expressive video – Uma Lekamge Most popular video award Junior category Winner – Imaya Baduge First runner-up – Abigail Hysinth Second runner up – Alana de Zoysa Intermediate category Winner – Damsini Wijebandara First runner-up – Anika Thiyagarajan Second runner up – Elliza Fernando Senior category Winner – Ashvinie Ekanayake First runner-up – Heshinee Perampalam Second runner-up – Arishah Ashborn