Oscar-winning actress Catherine Zeta-Jones will be joining the board of the restructured National Dance Foundation of Bermuda. Current board member Wendy Davis-Johnson made the announcement during the weekly Rotary luncheon yesterday.

The non-profit dance organisation is taking a ?new direction? and wants to be an independent organisation that will not compete for dancers but will provide them with resources, Mrs. Davis Johnson told Rotarians.

?By establishing an independent organisation, we will provide an unaffiliated, not-for-profit forum for those dancers who have the talent, determination and commitment to train hard to develop their full potential,? she said. ?The Dance Foundation doesn?t compete with the Island?s schools and companies. Rather, it provides their best dancers with equal opportunity to train together, with some of the best teachers in the world, right here in Bermuda, regardless of means.?

As its first project, the foundation is sending out a proposal for a three-week intensive summer programme for dancers to be held in Bermuda next year.

?This will give dancers the opportunity to study and perform with dancers from other countries and cultures right here at home,? she said.

She added that there are approximately 2,000 dance students in Bermuda with an estimated ten to 15 percent having the commitment and talent to become ?exceptional dancers?.

Mrs. Davis Johnson, who danced for many years at the Royal Winnipeg Ballet School and the Martha Graham School of Contemporary Dance, left ACE Insurance on Monday to concentrate on the performing arts.

She said that she was excited that Ms Zeta-Jones, who won an Oscar for her performance in the musical movie ?Chicago?, had accepted the offer to join the board.

?Ms Zeta-Jones is a fine dancer, in fact, spent much of the early part of her career performing in musical productions. We?re delighted to have her join us and know that her assistance will be invaluable.?