Bermuda Teen Idol 2008 winner Candace Furbert was accepted by Up with People a few months ago.

She and her friends are holding a fundraiser at the Shelly Bay Market Place from noon until 10 p.m. tomorrow.

Her drama teacher first suggested the Up with People opportunity to her as she thought she would make a good fit. She was accepted and has since been trying to raise the $15,000 tuition fee.

Today they are having another drive and will be packing groceries and holding a bake sale at at the Shelly Bay Market Place.

Miss Furbert, 18, sang her first solo when she was only three at her church's Christmas pageant.

She attends the Bermuda School of Music, under the tutelage of opera singer Marcelle Clamens. She is also a member of the Bermuda School of Performing Arts' Treble Choir, a dancer for the L.A. Troops, she won the Hal Jackson Talented Teen Competition in 2007, was a TROIKA player and performed in the Talent Explosion 2009 at City Hall on Thursday night.

In January she hopes to be training with Up with People.

Miss Furbert currently attends the Bermuda College and plans to continue her education at the London Academy of Music.

"I want to be able to come home and teach musical theatre," said Miss Furbert.

"My aim is to inspire others. "I love what I do with a passion; and knowing that it is a gift from God; I do what I have to do with confidence.

"My motto is 'Know yourself, believe in yourself and be yourself!'

"Also Philippians 4:13, which says, 'I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me'."

For more information or to assist Candace Furbert, please ring her mother Olive Furbert on 735-1317.