Music teacher Eddie Ming has a question for every young troublemaker. Instead of beating up others with your fists, why not channel that energy into beating drums?

Running his Rhythm Lab out of the St. George's Community Center, Mr. Ming has been striving for years to keep children out of trouble.

However, not happy to sit complacent with the success his students have locally, Mr. Ming continually challenges them with intensive courses abroad.

Now 13 of his devoted students will spend, what is for most, their last week of summer vacation in New York City attending The Collective.

"The trip overseas is to show them (his students) how far behind they are," Mr. Ming said. "It's easy to lose sight when you are here in Bermuda."

The Collective is one of New York City's premier music schools accepting students from all over the world for instruction in Caribbean, Brazilian, Afro-Cuban, Jazz, Funk and Second-line music styles.

Not only will his 13 students be exposed to youth from all over the world, but they will also have access to world-renowned professors.

Which is why Bryson Doers, who began drumming at Mr. Ming's Rhythm Lab at the tender age of four, and now at the age of 14 will be going for his third time.

"I always wanted to learn the drums. My daddy told my mom about the music school and she called," he said, "It's nice to have a talent. I can play in the talent shows at school.

"I really like salsa, Latin music and Afro-Cuban music. I guess my music inspirations are Mr. Ming and Pancho Sanchez who came to the Jazz Festival.

"But I really like the Brazilian teacher, Memo Acevedo who teaches at the school."

Bryson has been making the lengthy trip from Somerset to St. George's twice a week on Saturday and Sunday to take part in Mr. Ming's Rhythm lab.

Dropping down to only once a week because he is now playing at his AME church the Allen Temple on Sunday's, Mr. Ming doesn't hold the change against Bryson.

Instead he beams with pride over Bryson's contribution to the community which is what Mr. Ming tries to inspire with his investment in students- social responsibility.

This includes community projects the latest of which included the drummers playing for a benefit that managed to raise $2,500 towards a new stove for the Ebenezer Methodist Church and Parsonage in St. George's.

"The mission of my school is to keep them out of trouble," Mr. Ming added, "My studio is open six days a week until 10 p.m. and students come two or three times a week.

"They only pay for one lesson, but they can come and just practice and hangout because I've created a safe environment."

Students going to the Collective have also been fundraising for their airfares and housing while they are on the one-week intensive course.

After an orientation and auditions to place the students, classes begin from nine to four or ten to five every day and students are expected to practice for two-hours every day on top of the instruction.

Every day students will be also be bombarded with a different style of music from Jazz to funk to Afro-Cuban Latin music.

That's OK, according to Rachel Little who recently graduated from the Bermuda High School for Girls' International Baccalaureate program.

She is just excited to meet the other students. "I went to England last summer and in the house where I was staying the son played the drums," Rachel said.

"I thought it looked interesting. Some of my friends had a pamphlet for the Jackson School and I saw the club advertised."

Now after a year of practice here in Bermuda, she is ready to try out her skill in New York, "I'm excited to meet people from the other countries and find out how committed to drums they must be because they have travelled all the way to New York."

It will be Nick Swan's second time going to the Collective and as the oldest student at the age of 59, he finds comfort in the discipline he receives from the Rhythm Lab.

While in New York, he hopes to concentrate on improving his jazz and funk ability. "First time I went, I concentrated on different styles.

"This time I am looking to improve my jazz and funk. I play in my church, but Gospel now has a lot more funk to it."

Asked why after making music a second job for himself for years he choose to go back to school, he said: "The techniques at the lab create discipline and now I have an understanding of what I'm playing."

This previously self-taught, retired Assistant Post-Master has been inspired by what he has experienced at the music lab and hopes to teach once: "I stop enjoying retirement," he said.

As the students prepare for their departure, packing their drum sticks and metronomes, Mr. Ming hopes this experience will be productive.

Mr. Ming added: "In the Collective there is a lot of competition. I think it will change the students in my school and maybe Bermuda itself.

"It is inspiring to them and it makes life easier for them because it pushes them to be better," Mr. Ming said, "Students really get locked in the programme and stay."