Eight talented young Bermudians now have an opportunity to advance their dance training here and abroad, thanks to the assistance of the Bermuda Ballet Association, and the Bermuda Junior Service League (BJSL).

Seven dance students have just received the Ballet Association's Patricia Calnan Memorial Award, while the eighth has received a dance scholarship donated to the Bermuda Ballet Association (BBA) by the BJSL.

Recipients of the Patricia Calnan Memorial Award are Marica Burgess, Courtney Lopes, Jacqueline Mayor, Ashley Miller, Karissa Roberts, Sierra-Renae Robinson and Krystal Smith.

Tyler Barker is the first recipient of the new Bermuda Junior Service League Dance Scholarship.

"This year we have been able to award a record number of eight scholarships which have been boosted by the generous support of the Bermuda Junior Service League, who donated a dance scholarship especially for a student who will be studying dance full time overseas," Mrs. Sallie Singleton, chairperson of the BBA's scholarship committee, said.

The late Ms Calnan, author and former Royal Gazette and Mid-Ocean News journalist, was a strong supporter of the arts who particularly encouraged young dancers, and at her death two years ago the BBA established the scholarship in her memory.

"Patricia left a great void not only in our lives but also in the arts community of Bermuda," Mrs. Singleton said. "The Ballet Association chose to recognise her contribution to the arts, and over the past two years eleven promising young Bermudian dancers have benefited from the memorial awards, thanks to the generosity of her family, friends and corporate sponsors."

This year's eight recipients train at four of the Island's dance schools: the In Motion School of Dance, the School of Russian Ballet, United Dance Productions, and the Somerset School of Dance. Their personal profiles are as follows:

Tyler Barker, a former student of the In Motion School of Dance, is a naturally gifted dancer who has appeared in musicals and dance performances throughout Bermuda. He has successfully completed his first year at the New World School of the Arts in Florida, and the BJSL dance scholarship will allow him to continue his studies full time. Meanwhile, he will join the other awardees attending the North Carolina School of the Arts' summer dance programme

Marica Burgess studies at the School of Russian Ballet, and will attend the Bermuda Civic Ballet's intensive summer school.

Courtney Lopes, Karissa Roberts and Krystal Smith study at the In Motion School of Dance, and are currently attending the North Carolina School of the Arts' summer dance programme.

Jacqueline Mayor is a student at the Somerset School of Dance. Following her graduation from the Saltus Senior School this month, she will go abroad to pursue a career in dance. Miss Mayor has passed the Royal Academy of Dance intermediate and advanced exams with honours, and has been accepted at both the National Ballet of Canada and the Royal Academy of Dance in London.

Ashley Miller, a former student of the Somerset School of Dance, is currently a dance major at Emory University in Atlanta, where she is also a member of the Emory Dance Company. A scholar who graduated last year with honours from St. Paul's School in Connecticut, Miss Miller will be attending the prestigious Boston Conservatory summer programme for classes in pointe and variations, Pilates and choreography. Following that, she will join 'Summer Stages Dance' at Concord Academy in Massachusetts, which is offering a Choreograher's Project Fellowship for promising choreographers.

Sierra-Renae Robinson studies with Suzette Harvey and is a dancer in Miss Harvey's United Dance Productions junior company. Miss Robinson dances every day, and is also an assistant teacher. She has been accepted into Philadelphia's University of the Arts World of Dance programme.

*The extent to which the Bermuda Ballet Association is able to assist future young dancers will depend on continued and additional support from the community. Therefore, donations will be gratefully received. Cheques should be made payable to the Bermuda Ballet Association and mailed to P.O. Box HM 661, Hamilton HM CX. For further information Mrs. Singleton at 238-0870.