Young Bermudian dancers are set to take to the stage with young dancers from the Duke Ellington School of the Arts in performances slated for next week.

Sixteen students of United Dance Productions Junior Company (UDP) will work with 17 from the acclaimed Duke Ellington school in Washington DC.

Artistic director and founder of UDP, Suzette Harvey, said that many of the dancers in this programme have been practicing their dance techniques since the age of four.

The UDP Junior Company members who will be performing alongside the Duke Ellington students, were chosen through audition and represent the most talented students from UDP. They have also expressed a desire to become professional dancers.

And Ms Harvey said she believes her students have the talent to make it.

“I've been watching these particular students dance since they were four years old and I'm so proud of where they are today,” she said.

Ms Harvey also said that in addition to talent it is important for young dancers to be exposed to higher levels of dance as well as a disciplined approach to training.

“We've worked hard to get this show ready and the Junior Company members have been very disciplined, sacrificing a lot of their free time to intense rehearsals over the past few months,” she said. “I'm excited about the Junior Company having the opportunity to perform alongside such a prestigious school as Duke Ellington. This will be an invaluable experience for them.”

For over 25 years, Duke Ellington School of the Arts, located in Washington DC, has been the site of a unique public high school that combines both academic and artistic curriculum. Focusing on inner city youth, Ellington has demonstrated that the lives of young people can be transformed by the discipline and energy required by artistic training and high expectations of achievement. For their joint performance with UDP Junior Company, the Principal and Founder of the School, four teachers and parents of the dancers will be travelling to Bermuda to attend the concert.

Performances are on March 28, 29 and 30 at the Ruth Seaton James Centre for the Performing Arts. Tickets are available Monday - Friday, 11am - 2pm at the City Hall Box Office. Price: $25 Adult, $15 Students.

Last year, at their debut performance, the UDP Junior Company performed alongside the students for the University of the Arts in Philadelphia.