a brief time -- in her own footsteps at her old university, Suzette Harvey is donating all the proceeds of United Productions' dance show towards the cost of sending ten of them on a course there in the summer.

"I am arranging for them to go for two weeks to the University of the Arts in Philadelphia,'' explains Ms Harvey, who has retained strong ties with her alma mater since graduation in 1990. "They have wonderful summer courses and I think it would be of great benefit for Bermuda's young people to be exposed to the experience of going overseas to train.'' Ms Harvey reveals that she has just been invited to run a special course at her university. "I think I may be the first Bermudian to be asked to do a workshop on the Bermuda gombey. I think that's very exciting.'' Believing passionately that the study of dance is a powerful tool in teaching young people not only respect for their bodies but also self discipline, self respect, concentration, focus and reliability, Ms Harvey feels that money is well spent on sponsoring the arts. "I think few people would disagree now that the performing arts is proven to be an effective way of saving our kids from the streets, so I am hoping that people will encourage and help us with what we are trying to do at United Productions.'' Her young school-cum-company, which has steadily gained a good reputation since its formation seven years ago, is offering an eclectic display of dance in her show, which is called `Dance Fusion'. "I still have the core of the original company,'' she says, "although some have gone away to schools and universities. In fact, I think most would agree that Shanyea Trott and Zalika Millett are both phenomenal, and they are going away soon to further their studies. I teach every day, children from four years and up, and we do ballet, modern, jazz, tap, African, hip-hop -- everything! In the company, the ages range from about 15 to 20 and I also have a junior group who are aged from 14 to 16.'' A former student of the Jackson School of Dance, Suzette Harvey, who studied with (among others) Barbara Frith, Conchita Ming, Ann Hines and Linda Manders, is one of the still very select band of Bermudians who, having spent their childhood and college years in pursuit of the dance, have since returned to pass their knowledge on to others.

Dance instructor For this year's show, Ms Harvey has brought in two friends from her university days as guest artists. Choreographer and dancer Kevin Malone, who is now with Philadanco has created `Of Another' for her (in which he will also dance) show, with Holly Wright, as the main dancer. Ms Wright is still a student at the Arts University.

There will also be a spectacular tap piece, featuring males from the ages of six to 23. "There is no music, just a hoofing-style tap. No, it's not Bermuda's answer to `Riverdance' -- it's more like `Bring in the Funk, Bring in the Noise'!'', laughs Ms Harvey.

Also on the programme is a Haiti-inspired piece entitled `Damballah', choreographed by Shawntae Smith, who graduated a year behind Suzette Harvey and who now performs with the Muntu African Company of Chicago.

With so many of her male students showing promise, the young teacher reveals that she is planning to offer technique classes this September. "Guys who play football and other sports should relate dance with sport,'' she enthuses.

"To be effective sportsmen, they need to learn how to bend, so that knees aren't damaged, for instance. It is essential that athletes of any kind know how to protect their bodies from injury. For sportsmen and athletes, the body is the instrument so you should take care of it, and the most effective way of doing that is to study the technique of movement.'' `Dance Fusion' takes place at the City Hall Theatre on May 29, 30 and 31 at 8 p.m. nightly. Patrons' tickets for the opening night are $50 (pre-performance reception at 7 p.m.), regular admission is $25 and tickets are available from the City Hall Box Office (292-2313) daily between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m.