Ninety-four young dancers from Bermuda, North America and Italy recently completed three weeks of intense instruction in one of two programmes offered by the National Dance Foundation of Bermuda in partnership with the American Ballet Theatre (ABT). DanceBermuda catered to more experienced students, while the new Young Dancers programme was designed for students aged eight to 11. Six instructors from the ABT and artistic director Brian Reeder put the dancers through a rigorous programme of ballet, modern, contemporary and jazz during which they were challenged to reach beyond their limits and grow artistically. The summer intensive ended with an impressive workshop production at the Ruth Seaton James Centre for the Performing Arts. Before dispersing, some of the participants shared their stories and impressions with Lifestyle's Nancy Acton.

is in his final year at the New World School of the Arts in Miami, where he studies Graham, Ciron and classical ballet. He participated in DanceBermuda for the second time having won a Catherine Zeta-Jones Scholarship last year to attend.

The award inspired him not only to demonstrate to the ABT instructors his appreciation for winning the scholarship, but also how much he had worked and improved during the past year. He felt that this year's DanceBermuda was more technically challenging but just as enjoyable.

"I loved all of my classes and instructors, but the men's class was always a welcome challenge," he said. "The intensive helped to drastically improve my performance ability, and my technical level of trying.

"The programme was phenomenal, and a great treat for Bermuda to have. It will really open many doors for local dancers. Having food provided was also a nice change from having to make it for myself, and chef Ben was always amazing."

After graduation Tyler said "the world will have to 'get ready for me'. I hope to have a long and very pleasant career, travelling, touring and making the best of life".

@EDITRULE:

, age 16, from Newark, New Jersey auditioned for DanceBermuda at the suggestion of Brian Reeder (American Ballet Theatre faculty member and artistic director of this year's summer intensive) and his dance teacher Ronnie Carey ? a suggestion he found "extraordinary" at the time given that his summer was unplanned despite knowing he "had to dance in order to stay in shape."

When his friend and DanceBermuda 2005 participant Justin Melvin also recommend the programme, Roman decided to audition because he wanted "to try and experience new things". He had been studying ballet for two years ? "a fascinating experience" ? and loves ballet and modern, but especially ballet.

"Shocked" to be placed in DanceBermuda's 'blue' (highest) level despite a six-week dance layoff, Roman went from being "depressed" at his under-performance during week one to regaining his form and confidence during the second and third weeks.

"The classes and instructors were up to expectations, and I really admired and appreciated them," he said. "They did their job extremely well, which was to teach, and I enjoyed everything they did for me. They dedicated themselves to what they were doing, and I learned a lot from them."

Roman made many friends while here whom he will miss "so much" but vows to keep in contact as they are now a part of his life. He also had the opportunity to explore Bermuda, which he found to be "an exquisite and beautiful place".

Receiving a National Dance Foundation of Bermuda scholarship means that he will fulfil his wish to participate in DanceBermuda 2007 ? and move closer to his goal of becoming a professional dancer.

@EDITRULE:

, age 16, was born in Brazil, where she studied ballet for six years from age eight. When her family moved to the US, where she now lives in Newark, New Jersey, it left "a huge financial gap" which precluded further training for some time.

Today, Angelica admits that, prior to DanceBermuda, ballet was not one of her strengths, but thanks to the intensity of the programme she "definitely learned a lot", including from the other dancers.

Before the first day of class was over she was already thinking about Dance Bermuda 2007.

"I loved the programme from the start. The classes and instructors were extremely amazing," she said. "The teachers were attentive and encouraging, and seemed to love what they were doing so much that it helped us to do our best. I personally have never worked so hard.

"I took a huge step in coming to DanceBermuda, and the programme reassured me that dance is what I am meant to do because there is nothing else that gives me so much joy and fulfilment."

Angelica found the people in Bermuda "lovely", and made many friends whom she will "miss dearly". She "definitely" wants to participate in another summer intensive, and plans to do whatever it takes to make that happen, in addition to encouraging others to attend. Her favourite memory is of receiving a birthday card and chocolates from fellow dancers.

Her future plans are many. First, she will attend the University of the Arts in Philadelphia, following which she wants to join a "top" dance company.

Thereafter, she aims to become a physical therapist for dancers, and eventually open her own dance company in New York for economically disadvantaged children as a way of giving back to her community. At this point in her dancing life, however, Angelica says that DanceBermuda was "the best thing that has ever happened" to her.

@EDITRULE:

, a 13-year-old Bermudian, has been dancing for almost ten years. Robbed of the opportunity to participate in DanceBermuda last year through a foot injury, she "really enjoyed" this year's programme "in its entirety".

Describing the classes as "extremely fun yet challenging", Sara also "really enjoyed the teachers", all of whom were "extremely kind, and able to make the classes fun for all of the different levels of training that were in them".

The winner of a Catherine Zeta-Jones Scholarship, Sara was commended by the ABT instructors for her "clear, precise approach to working in class and rehearsal, as well as a determined and focused attitude, which easily made her a standout". She looks forward to attending DanceBermuda next year "because this year was really an amazing experience".

@EDITRULE:

, a 17-year-old Bermudian, began studying ballet at age three. She participated in the summer intensive for the first time, thanks to scholarships from Renaissance Reinsurance and the Ministry of Cultural Affairs and Sport. She enjoyed the classes "tremendously", and felt the instructors had not only kept them interesting but also were always willing to help individual dancers.

Among the many ways the summer intensive helped Shaydrina was by improving her self-confidence in her ballet technique. Her favourite class was Modern because she loves the dance style, and also because her instructor was very helpful and encouraging.

"I am happy that the NDFB brought the summer intensive programme to Bermuda because it allows young Bermudians to better their dancing abilities, create friendships with persons from other parts of the world, and have fun at the same time," she said.

Meanwhile, Shaydrina wants to continue improving her dancing so she can earn a scholarship to a college or university with a good dance programme.

Unsure of whether or not she wants to become a professional dancer in future, she plans to keep her options open simply because she loves to dance.

Meanwhile, she looks forward to participating in next year's summer intensive, thanks to winning a Catherine Zeta-Jones Scholarship based on what her ABT instructors said was her "fierce desire to learn and improve, which was apparent in her work ethic during the past three weeks".

@EDITRULE:

, a 17-year-old from Newark, New Jersey, found his second DanceBermuda summer intensive "an overwhelming and amazing experience once again".

"Before I received the Catherine Zeta-Jones Scholarship last summer I knew this was the place that I wanted to attend this year because 2006 "was one of the most memorable times of my life, and I knew that this year would only be better. Indeed, it was incredible. The environment, beauty of the Island, wonderful people, and top-notch training made this year's summer intensive truly one-of-a-kind," he said.

Justin knew that he would have to work even harder this year because the calibre of talent would have risen from 2005; the technique classes would be more intense, and being placed in a higher level would also be more challenging.

Noting that ballet did not end with learning perfect technique, but also required "a sense of heart, passion, and dedication", he said the teachers were "remarkable" and constantly challenged him to go beyond the steps and add life to his movement.

Dancing next to his friends was also "great" because he "felt their aura and energy around him, and enjoyed sharing with them the mutual search for artistry, and a love of dance".

"I cannot find the correct adjective to conclude how much fun I had in Bermuda," he said. "Dance was extraordinary, but living here for three weeks was just as amazing. I had a chance to relax and enjoy a beautiful island with the best of my friends."

Justin, who enters the North Carolina School of the Arts this autumn, remains passionate about dance ? something which he said DanceBermuda had heightened.

"Life without dance is like living without a heart. It brings love and meaning to daily activities and makes my life more exciting. I love the challenges I face through dance, and look forward to something new each day. Dancing is not something I do, or something I love; dance is how my heart, mind, and body speak. Dance is my universal language to the world, and my life is pointless without it."

@EDITRULE:

, a 13-year-old from Putnam Valley, New York, had been studying ballet for four years when he heard about the NDFB from his friend Arrielle Cruz, who attended last year's summer intensive.

The ABT instructors met his expectations; he loved the classes and learned a lot. He also met "so many extraordinary people" with whom he hopes to keep in touch, and said "most of the people at this programme were very nice".

Kyle's impression of Bermuda was that it is "small, secluded, safe, and a majority of the residents are very friendly and warm". A favourite memory was dancing with his friend Angelica to reggae music at Dockyard "while everyone watched".

Meanwhile, Kyle's desire to become a professional dancer in future was backed by the ABT instructors who saw him as "a particularly gifted student" and recommended him for a Catherine Zeta-Jones Scholarship based on their perception that he was "a young man with much potential" whose "natural sense of co-ordination and grasp of ballet vocabulary make for a promising future ahead". So his wish to return has been fulfilled.