A Bermudian college student has earned a $5,000 scholarship to help pursue the performing arts abroad.

Chinyere Nwasike was named as one of three recipients of the annual Gilbert & Sullivan Society of Bermuda scholarship.

The 20-year-old student completed her first semester at Randolph College for the Performing Arts in Toronto this month. She is currently enrolled in the Performing Arts Diploma programme.

Chinyere said of the first months: “I learnt so much about myself.”

The former Berkeley Institute student is currently back in Bermuda for the Christmas break.

She said her love of performance began at a very young age when she was enrolled in piano and ballet.

At the age of 8, she started at a new school after moving from Pembroke to Warwick.

Chinyere said: “I was going through a rough time adjusting. I was being teased and bullied.”

That year her grandfather, who helped introduce her to music, also passed away.

She said: “I really used music as an outlet just to be myself and be free from everything else that was going on. That was my escape.”

Her love for performing and connecting with people led her to explore acting in high school.

Chinyere said that her current school programme allowed her to combine her love of acting, dance and music.

She added: “I just want to grow and learn.”

While still early in her school career, Chinyere said she would ultimately like to pursue music or acting professionally.

She explained: “I love to be on the screen. I love writing music and singing.”

Chinyere said she would like to see more opportunities available in Bermuda to foster and encourage youngsters with talent.

She said: “I think there should be a platform to show the island what we have.

“It’s crazy how much talent there is here, and nobody knows.”

Established in 2004, the Gilbert & Sullivan scholarships are designed to recognise and encourage Bermuda students to pursue artistic and academic goals.

David Minors, a scholarship selection committee member, said Chinyere stood out among the applicants.

He explained: “She is a triple-threat performer, which means that not only is she a highly talented dancer, but she is also an actor and a gifted vocalist.”

Mr Minors also described Chinyere as an “excellent student”.

He said: “She has proved over the years that she has an academic standard second to none. Her most recent assessment had her with a 3.71 GPA.”

Mr Minors said that Chinyere had performed in two Bermuda Musical & Drama Society Famous for Fifteen performances, as well as several Berkeley Institute productions.

He added: “Every year in our course there are several exceptional students, but I must point out that Chinyere is a standout beyond that.”