The National Dance Foundation of Bermuda?s annual black tie fundraiser, ?An Evening With Catherine Zeta-Jones,? is already being hailed a success, given that all tickets are completely sold out ? thanks to the overwhelming response of the Island?s corporate community.

The gala, to be held at the Fairmont Southampton Resort on February 25 and hosted by Oscar-winning actress and Bermuda resident Catherine Zeta-Jones, is the NDFB?s major fundraiser for DanceBermuda, the international summer dance institute established by that organisation in 2005.

In announcing the sell-out, NDFB chairman Don Kramer paid tribute to Kenneth LeStrange, chairman of the gala, for his outstanding efforts in securing such generous corporate support. (Mr. LeStrange is also president and CEO of Bermuda-based global insurers Endurance).

?In addition to Catherine?s gracious presence as host, Ken deserves enormous credit for the magnificent response we?ve had from local and international businesses in Bermuda,? Mr. Kramer said. ?He has reached out to business colleagues and partners to secure the necessary sponsorship for DanceBermuda. Corporate support means that the Foundation is able to offer a world-class programme at an affordable tuition. I owe him a huge debt of gratitude.?

The NDFB chairman also announced that corporate support meant senior dancers from each of the Island?s dance schools would be able to attend the gala on a complimentary basis, and said their presence would be an important part of the evening?s recognition of Bermuda?s talented young people.

During the gala two American Ballet Theatre (ABT) soloists and three members of its corps de ballet (Erica Cornejo, Carlos Lopez, Misty Copeland, Kenneth Easter and Eric Underwood, respectively) will dance excerpts from classical and contemporary works, including ?Copp?lia?, ?Amazed in Burning Dreams?, and ?Clear?.

In advance of the gala, ABT teachers Nancy Raffa and Richard Toda and dancer Kenneth Easter will conduct free master classes in jazz, musical theatre, and beginners? and intermediate ballet for students drawn from the Island?s dance schools.

Ms Raffa is also artistic director of the ABT Summer Intensive Programme, while Mr. Toda is on the faculty of DanceBermuda 2006. Both taught classes in last year?s summer intensive programme. Due to overwhelming demand from registered dancers, an additional ballet class has been added to the three-day master class programme.

?All of the classes are full, and as a result more than 100 students from the Island?s dance schools will be receiving first-class training from some of the world?s best dance teachers free of charge,? Mr. Kramer said.

DanceBermuda is a three-week, intensive training programme featuring faculty of American Ballet Theatre (ABT), one of the world?s pre-eminent dance schools and companies.

Local and international dance students audition for a place in the prestigious summer programme, which is based at Bermuda High School and uses three dance studios.

Auditions for DanceBermuda 2006 will be held on Saturday, March 4 at Bermuda High School, Richmond Road, Pembroke.

Pre-registration is required and inquiries should be made to Shari-Lynn Pringle at (441) 236 3319 or by email to springledancebermuda.org.

The National Dance Foundation of Bermuda, a non-profit organisation registered with the Bermuda Charities Commission and a company limited by guarantee, is dedicated to raising the standard of dance excellence in Bermuda by offering world-class training to the Island?s dancers, teachers and choreographers.