Dance aficionados have much to look forward to this weekend when the Bermuda Civic Ballet presents 'Summer Selections 2010' which will showcase a blend of Bermudian, US and UK dancers and choreographers.

Included will be the 'Raymonda Suite,' choreographed by David Drummond after Petipa; the pas de trios from 'Swan Lake'; an excerpt of 'Home Front', choreographed by Pascal Rioult and staged by Brian Flynn and Marianna Tsartolia, both of whom have been instructing at this year's Civic summer school, and several pieces by James Fullum from the UK.

Bermudian choreographers will also be well represented, with 'Nomad' by professional dancer Eric Bean; as well as pieces by Vanessa Guishard; Civic director Coral Waddell, whose piece incorporates whale music recorded by her father; and James Waddell, whose contemporary solo piece to the music of Red Hot Chili Peppers' 'Porcelain' was first performed at London's Central School of Ballet, where he is currently a student. Mr. Waddell is also dancing in the programme.

Of the Bermudian choreographers, Mrs. Waddell said: "This is the second year that we have tried to encourage new local choreographers, so I put the feelers out in January, and that is where Vanessa's piece has come from. Eric said he wanted to do one, and James has choreographed a solo for Luke Walker."

Mr. Walker is currently training towards a Bachelor of Arts degree in professional dance and performance at Central, and will be dancing ballet, contemporary jazz, and hip hop in the show.

Both Mrs. Waddell and Mr. Drummond, who has been coming to Bermuda since 1979 to instruct the Civic Ballet's summer school dancers, admit that giving aspiring choreographers creative rein is not without risk.

"You never know how it is going to turn out, but you take the risk to give them an opportunity to explore that side of their artistic nature," she said, to which Mr. Drummond added: "If we don't take the risk, then it is not going to be really good art. If you are always safe it will always be mediocre."

Of the young dancers, who have been rehearsing diligently in the sweat-box conditions of a Bermuda summer, both Mr. Drummond and fellow instructor Brian Flynn, of Pascal Rioult, said the present group was one of the most talented that they have ever worked with, as a result of which they could push the dancers harder and instruct them at a higher technical level.

Asked how they approach the annual summer programme, not knowing what they will find when they arrive here, Mr. Drummond said it was a matter of always being prepared for anything, and having several options in mind regarding what could be accomplished.

"Right out of the first class you eyeball the dancers and say, 'Perhaps I can do this versus that. It is a mixed group of people, some of whom are "there," and some who are not; therefore I have to do 'B' versus 'A'. It is really exciting to come and see such a high level this year, and we also have a stronger group of men."

For the overseas dancers in particular, the one thing they have had to get used to is the wilting humidity - although it does keep the muscles more supple - and how quickly the sun can burn. More than a few were feeling its effects, but none was complaining. Far from it, in fact.

"Bermuda is an amazing country. It's like paradise, and so different," James Pullum said.

From Essex in England, he is currently studying for a Foundation degree in professional dance at the Central School of Dance in London, where fellow student James Waddell is known to everyone as 'Bermuda'.

As a child, Mr. Fullum took acting lessons, and through that connection began studying commercial style dancing at age 16. It was not until a few years later that he got into classical ballet thanks to a teacher who felt certain aspects of his physique would make him ideal for the genre, and recommended auditioning for various ballet schools, one of which was Central. To his surprise and delight, he was accepted, and "here I am".

Previously, he had attended the performing arts school, Tiffanys Theatre College, where he was head boy, and awarded a full scholarship.

Like Mr. Fullum's fellow student dancers from Central, it is thanks to a visit by Mrs. Waddell, who was scouting for dancers to participate in this year's Civic summer programme, that he was chosen to perform in Bermuda, when audiences will have a chance to enjoy his choreography and see him in an exciting hip hop routine.

"My forté is locking, and (in the UK) I have a locking partner. We are known for our locking skills, so we often get called up (for commercial dancing work)," Mr. Fullum says.

Central student Zoe Arshamian is among those who are impressed with his work ethic.

"James is an extremely hard worker," she said. "The progress he has made in two years has been amazing."

Originally from Manchester, England, Miss Arshamian began studying ballet at age three. From age 11 to 16 she was a junior associate at The Royal Ballet School in London, before transferring to Central in 2008, where she is now in her third year. While studying at The Royal Ballet, she twice danced principal roles in its end-of-year productions, and was a finalist in 'Young British Dancer of the Year' in 2008 and 2009.

On learning that she had been chosen from 30 dancers in her year to come to Bermuda, Miss Arshamian's initial reaction was, "Wow, I get to go to Bermuda", although she admits she didn't know much about the island, except that it was small.

"It is really an exciting thing to do. It is great to travel," she said. "I didn't realise it was going to be this humid, although there's a nice breeze."

In fact, when the doors of the aircraft opened here, some of the students asked if the heat was from the engines.

As for her impressions of Bermuda, Miss Arshamian said, 'It is really beautiful, and the water is amazing."

So beautiful, in fact, that she has found it impossible to describe it to her family in words, so is taking many photographs instead. Meanwhile, she has also been impressed with Bermuda's friendliness.

"The bus drivers are lovely, and say 'Thank you', and the children have such good manners," she said.

Summer Selections is at City Hall theatre on Friday and Saturday. Curtain time is 8 p.m. Tickets (adults $40, children $10) for 'Summer Selections 2010' can be purchased from BDATix box offices at the iStore on Reid St and Fabulous Fashions at Heron Bay MarketPlace. For further information contact Alexia Cooper at 232-0959.