But in ten short years, United Dance Production founder Suzette Harvey has realised her dream -- to establish a professional dance company.

"My dream has always been to have a professional dance company to represent Bermuda abroad,'' she said. "I had wanted to do this within ten years of starting United Dance Productions and that's the amazing part -- we've done it. We've reached that goal. It's so amazing! "The dream has become a reality and that's the beautiful part.'' Under the name, The Bermuda Dance Company, Ms Harvey recently launched a Bermuda-based professional repertoire dance company which will perform world-class standard works by internationally-renowned artists. The company will represent the Island both here and abroad.

"When I first returned to Bermuda from school I was torn between wanting to dance and wanting to teach dance. I choose to teach and I'm glad I did.

"I just hope that now, no other artist will have the conflict I had when I finished school. It is important that artists have the chance to be dancers on a full-time basis. Currently we don't really have any avenue where dancers can support themselves full-time on dance.'' The newly-established company will have close ties with international artists in a bid to keep the company on the cutting edge.

"We are partnered with US choreographers and international artists to keep us current and fresh as well as give us a broader and more sophisticated range,'' she explained. "What is unique about our company is that we have international collaborations.

"We have a different style which we will continue to work on. Our repertoire is a fusion of the Afrocentric and ballet. We will continue to have tap and hip-hop in it but the repertoire will be more sophisticated because we're working with international choreographers.'' Initially, the Bermuda Dance Company will consist of a total of eight dancers with no more than three-to-four international artists at any time.

"We have to make use of international male dancers because we are still cultivating local male dancers,'' Ms Harvey explained.

Harvey's dream comes true "The mission of the Bermuda Dance Company is to provide opportunities to Bermudians -- regardless of race, sex or stature -- who wish to pursue a professional dance career on Bermudian soil.

"Placement in the company is by audition and although the current complement of dancers consists mainly of UDP students all Bermudian dancers are encouraged to audition for placement.'' And the company has already secured overseas bookings -- next month in US and hopefully a Far East performance in the summer.

"We will be touring in February in Washington at the Dance Place. We will be sharing the stage with a company called Extreme. This will be our second international performance -- the first was at 2000 Feet: A Celebration of World Dance in Philadelphia last summer.'' A review by Brenda Dixon Gottschild for the September 1999 issue of Dance Magazine described that UDP performance of Incidents of a Slave Girl, choreographed by Kevin Malone, as "first-rate'', adding that it was " a gorgeous example of yet another African Diaspora fusion style, in the spirit of Katherine Dunham, Alvin Ailey and Philadanco''.

Thanks to appearances at events such as 2000 Feet, the company has received an invitation to the Far East to perform.

"We have been invited to Malaysia in June for the Malaysian Festival. I hope we will be able to attend.'' But representing Bermuda abroad at high-profile events comes with a hefty price tag and Ms Harvey admitted that the non-profit company has been working diligently at fund raising.

"When you bring in international choreographers it can cost you between $500 to $3,000 depending on the piece and that's not including airfare, accommodations and food,'' she explained. "With professional companies you have to pay for master teacher instructors, costumes, rehearsal directors, promotional materials -- the list goes on and on.

"And of course you have to pay the dancers because it's such hard work and the wear-and-tear they subject their bodies to is unbelievable.

"We are trying to take the initiative and raise the funds ourselves, but for the moment UDP is supporting the Bermuda Dance Company. However, we want the company to be self-sufficient.'' To help achieve this goal, Ms Harvey said the company will seek donations and sponsorships from individuals and corporations who are interested in cultivating the arts in Bermuda.

Despite the formation of the new company, Ms Harvey was adamant that United Dance Productions will continue to flourish.

Since its inception in 1990, UDP has grown into a thriving dance school which currently trains over 700 students.

"UDP will continue and perform locally and will hopefully be the training ground for a lot of the company's dancers. The majority of the professional company will come from UDP, however it will be open to all -- you just have to audition.'' And Ms Harvey said she hoped that having a Bermuda-based touring dance company would help to stimulate the arts in Bermuda.

"For example, eventually we would like to have stage managers and light designers and professionals like that so if we travel we will not have to worry about language barriers hindering performances,'' she explained.

"Individuals could pursue careers in these fields, knowing that they can find work in their field.'' All the world is their stage: United Dance Productions founder Suzette Harvey envisions the recently established Bermuda Dance Company being a Bermuda-based professional repertoire dance company which performs world-class works by internationally-renowned artists.