GOVERNMENT'S partnership with Black Entertainment Television to provide the island's up-and-coming entertainers with scholarship funds has been described by some community activists as the unintended solution to a far greater concern.

Advocates of the performing arts in Bermuda have long been asking the burning question: "Why isn't there a proper 'finishing school' for those who cannot afford an higher education overseas, or are ineligible for a scholarship?"

The Mid-Ocean News spoke with June Caisey, whose professional performing career spans nearly five decades.

"We need to start a finishing school," she said, "but whom can we turn to to get things rolling and what do we have that can be a suitable and permanent facility?"

Recently, the Department of Tourism joined forces with Black Entertainment Television to provide scholarship funds to the tune of $40,000 for the island's young entertainers.

Also, following the untimely passing of Last Rights guitarist Paul Gibbons earlier this year, another scholarship fund has been set up for those wishing to study music.

Llewella Rewan-Dowling, a staunch advocate of the performing arts who has returned to the island after extensively studying the Performing Arts in the UK, concurred with Ms Caisey's thoughts on having a permanent grass-roots facility.

In no uncertain terms, Mrs. Dowling said: "The decline in local entertainment is directly influenced by the lack of education, training and available funding for the Performing Arts. The abundance of Commerce, Law and IT positions and graduates reflects the bursaries, awards and/or scholarships that are offered from various institutions.

"The Government needs to understand that Bermudian culture, like any other country, thrives on the arts, from creativity, and to neglect this factor is to stand by and witness the death of your sense of identity."

Music and performing arts workshops have come and gone over the years but the latest one to appear on the cultural radar screen is the M.O.D. Music workshop founded by jazz enthusiasts Ozzie Matthews (drums), Danny (Danny Boy) Ottley (double bass) and saxophonist Miles Manders.

This trio have more than 100 years of professional performing experience under their belts, both locally and overseas and through their workshop have been able to lend their expertise to up-and- coming Bermudian musicians. Ms Caisey has groomed countless young children on the finer points of theatre but bristles at the fact that without a decent facility and dedicated individuals to teach the understudies, their efforts will be in vain.

Ms Caisey explained: "I'm more than qualified and I would personally like to work with the very young and they would have to be fiery in their desire to learn. I don't care how great of a dancer or singer you are, but if you lack presentation you are nothing.

"But if they learn how to present themselves properly that makes the world of difference.

"If we had a venue to call our own it can be a non-profit organisation and I am willing to lend my expertise to get this project off the ground. I started in theatre at Central School. If it weren't for my mom I wouldn't be where I am today.

"When I see the kids who cannot afford to travel abroad to pursue their dreams and/or are ineligible for a scholarship I would take them under my wing.

"I am willing to work with the underdog just as easily as I would work with a child who is privileged. There was a good summer programme at the Ruth Seaton James Centre for the Performing Arts, but we need something on a permanent basis."

When we asked Mrs. Dowling if she felt the established Bermuda performers are attempting to groom the up-and-coming younger performers, she replied: "I think this has probably crossed the minds of several performers.

"However, being that most of them find it hard to maintain progress in their own lives, tending to the love of performance, it becomes a challenge to extend a cultivating hand to the youth."

We also asked both ladies if the former Admiralty House community facilities would be a suitable venue for a "finishing school".

Mrs. Dowling replied: "It's definitely a space to consider.

"However, as I am not familiar with the interior and exterior of that space, it's hard for me to comment constructively."

Ms Caisey felt the now boarded-up buildings would have great potential since it is centrally located and there is a wealth of history attached to that area.

The Mid-Ocean News tried to contact Jamahl Simmons, the United Bermuda Party MP for Pembroke West, who has expressed interest in reviving Admiralty House, but our calls and e-mails were not answered by press time.