Students from Laurence Haider's Summer Intensive School will participate in a programme of classical ballet which includes an abbreviated version of that perennial favourite, `Les Sylphides', as well as pieces to the music of Tchaikovsky, Canteloube, Satie and Strauss.

"What began as a summer school has evolved into a show,'' explains Mr.

Haider, who last year staged `Sylvia' for the Bermuda Civic Ballet. "This was not the original intention, but I was so impressed with the progress made by the students that we decided to put on a display -- literally, a `work in progress' so that parents and dance lovers can see what these kids are achieving. In the beginning, he adds with a laugh, "we were only going to use the older students, but I was so thrilled with the younger kids that I decided to use them as well. It's wonderful to see their enthusiasm.'' Besides Chopin's `Les Sylphides', Ashley Miller, 14, and Paulina Jarmula, 14, will dance `Shadows', while eight of the dancers will perform `Serenade for Strings' by Tchaikovsky. Jenee James, 13, and Kristen Midon, 15, will dance a pas de deux, `Gymnopedie' to the music of Satie, and the finale will be the Emperor Waltz and Radetzky March by Strauss. And, to underline the emphasis on ballet technique, the display will commence with a demonstration of a short ballet `barre' and `adage' sequence.

Palm Grove: Romantic setting for a ballet Taking part as a soloist is Deborah Marett, an RAD-registered teacher who joined the faculty in September.

It was Sal Hodgson, owner and operator of the Somerset School of Dance which follows the Royal Academy of Dancing (RAD) technique, who invited Mr. Haider to conduct a summer school. "It's very important to me that Bermuda's young dancers understand the traditions of the classical ballet technique and style,'' she explains. "I am very concerned by the fact that, all over the world, thousands of children are studying ballet but, unfortunately, in most cases, have little idea of what dancing is about. Athleticism and flamboyancy seems to have gained an ascendancy over the actual art of ballet and I really do believe that this is a real danger in Bermuda.'' Speaking in her large and airy studio on King Street, Mrs. Hodgson revels that she hopes to make her summer school an annual event "and I really do hope that more children across the Island will take this opportunity to study with Laurence, who was a remarkable dancer and is now a leading teacher in the world of ballet. He's highly respected in professional dance circles in Canada and Europe. Now, thanks to the Gibbons family, who are allowing us the use of their beautiful property at Palm Grove, a wider audience will be able to see what we are doing.'' Noting that Mr. Haider gives daily two-hour classes that are free to all those taking part in the show, she adds that the children's days are long -- from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. "It certainly sorts out which kids are dedicated!'' she exclaims. "I must confess I'm astonished at the way in which they are working.'' Canadian-born Laurence Haider, whose long association with Bermuda began back in the 1960's when he appeared here as principal guest artist with the Miskovitch Ballet from Paris, won a scholarship to the world-famous Royal Ballet School. He went on to become a principal dancer with the National Ballet of Canada, the Royal Winnipeg Ballet, Les Grands Ballets Canadiens, the Roland Petit Company and the Edinburgh Festival Ballet. More recently, he has acquired an international reputation as a teacher, specialising in pas de deux, in Canada, London and Barcelona -- thus following in the time-honoured tradition of the ballet world in which great dancers pass on the nuances of their art to a new generation.

`Ballet Under the Palms' will take place at Palm Grove on Middle Road, Devonshire, this Friday and Saturday (August 21 and 22) at 7.30 p.m. (Rain dates August 23 and 24). Tickets at $20 ($10 for students and children under 12) are available from Opus Encore on Reid Street.