For Bermuda’s ballet lovers, it will likely be the most anticipated event of the summer: six world-class dancers on stage at the Earl Cameron Theatre. Front and centre of it all are local siblings Vidya and Ravi Cannonier-Watson who have had amazing success on the international dance scene. For the past year, Ravi has danced with The Royal Ballet; Vidya is a student at the English National Ballet School.

Joining them will be Emerson Gamble, of the Hungarian National Ballet, Maia Rose Roberts of Zurich Ballet, Sacha Venkatasawmy and Jakob Wheway Hughes, of the English National Ballet and Precious Adams, the company’s first soloist.

The idea was borne out of Ravi and Vidya’s desire to show their appreciation for the community that has invested in them throughout their dance studies abroad.

“After having so much support over the years from numerous people, we really just wanted to give back to the island that gave us so much,” Ravi said.

Now 20, he left the island at age 11 to pursue his dreams. Dance scholarships helped both him and Vidya to finance their training.

“This is my gift back to Bermuda. After having so much support over the years from numerous people, I really just wanted to give back to the island that gave me so much,” Ravi said.

“Time has really flown by, but I've not forgotten where I've come from and the people there. Their support over the years has enabled me to be in the position I am in today.

“So I just wanted to give back and also show the island of Bermuda what is possible, what you can do with the right support.”

Vidya felt a similar desire to show her gratitude.

“Ravi and I have actually been talking about doing this for quite a while,” she said. “We’re incredibly grateful – but coming back home and seeing how little representation young dancers have in Bermuda, we felt we had to do something.

“They don’t have people they can relate to – people they can actually see dancing in person and think, ‘Wow, I could do that, because they did’.”

The ballerinas will not be paid for their time here. Friends and family members of Ravi and Vidya’s parents, Sophia Cannonier and Michael Watson, will provide accommodation and meals.

The dancers will travel courtesy of Rosewood Bermuda, and will perform at an invitation-only gala at the resort on July 17.

A show at Earl Cameron Theatre the next night is open to the public.

Ravi, Maia Rose, Emerson and Sacha will lead a free classical ballet workshop at Warwick Academy on July 13.

A contemporary dance workshop featuring Precious, Ravi, Maia Rose, Jakob and Vidya is planned for the following Saturday.

Both workshops are open to local dance students aged 8 and older. Dancers don’t have to be experienced to attend.

“Each will include a technique class,” Ravi explained. “There will be a Q&A after as well, where people can mingle with us and get any questions they might have, answered.”

Getting the dancers to fly to Bermuda wasn’t a hard sell, he added.

“Everyone was pretty hooked on the idea of coming to Bermuda. Everyone who knows of Bermuda sees it as a paradise – and of course, it is. So I think it was almost an instant ‘yes’ from every single person.”

It will be the first time he and his sister will dance on the same stage since about eight years ago when they performed The Firebird with Bermuda Civic Ballet.

For their upcoming shows they will perform a “medley of pieces, mostly classical”, but some they have choreographed themselves, Vidya said, adding she was looking forward to the visit and so very proud of all her brother had accomplished.

“I am really looking forward to coming home and showing everyone that even if you come from a small island it’s possible to branch out and achieve something. I think it will be really inspirational for younger dancers but I'm also just excited to come home.”

Since he joined The Royal Ballet a year ago, Ravi has performed in major works from the classical and contemporary repertoire – Alice in Wonderland, Cinderella, Onegin, Romeo and Juliet, and Christopher Wheeldon’s An American in Paris.

It’s a lot more time on stage than he expected.

“This past year has been everything. It has been one of the most challenging years, but it also has been one of the most enjoyable years.

“I've seen a lot of growth within myself. I'm now dancing with my idols, with the people I used to look up to. I've been on cloud nine for the last ten months,” the dancer said.

“I've been incredibly blessed to have received as many opportunities as I have had over the last couple of months. I've had numerous conversations with my director, Kevin O'Hare, who believes that the trajectory of my career could be something quite special if I stick to what I'm doing now; if I just keep my head down and work on the things that I'm not so good at.”

His hope is to one day lead young Bermudians down a similar path. The workshops next month are a start.

“I want to give Bermuda access to what I've had. I don't want people to come believing that they're not on a high enough level, or they're not experienced enough.

“This is just my opportunity to give back to the island. I just want to share what I've learnt and inspire people to go and chase their dreams,” Ravi said.

“I want them to see that with support and the right mentality, with dedication and hard work, everything will line up.”

• Watch Ravi and Vidya Cannonier-Watson and their friends at the Earl Cameron Theatre from 7pm to 9pm on July 18. General admission is $25; patron tickets are $75 and include a pre-show reception. To reserve tickets call 799-6330 or e-mail sophiacannonier@gmail.com