proportion with the size of the Island, were given a boost of recognition last week.

Twenty of them gathered for a weekend of master classes conducted by leading American singer and teacher, Dr. Beverly Hay.

Organised by Mrs. Nancy Chisling with assistance from the Department of Cultural Affairs, the session was also an unprecedented opportunity for Bermuda's voice teachers to participate as observers. Amongst the teachers attending were Mr. Daniel Hill, Ms. Gloria Mccully, and Mr. and Mrs. Graham Garton of the Dunbarton School of Music.

Mrs. Chisling, who has carved out a niche as one of the Island's foremost soloists and teachers since she arrived here from Canada with her husband, the Rev. David Chisling three years ago, says she initially arranged to bring Dr.

Hay to Bermuda for her own pupils but then thought it would be "great'' if the entire singing community could take advantage of the event: "She is such a remarkable teacher -- one of the very best in the States. And we were very lucky to have Jane Farge as our accompanist.'' Although visiting singers occasionally teach while they are in Bermuda, Mrs.

Chisling believes this is the first time that a teacher/singer has come for that express purpose.

A master class, she explained, involves a singer preparing a specific piece which she then sings. The teacher then goes through it, working on a one-to-one basis on vocal technique, text or interpretation: "The classes are open, so that anyone who's interested can sit in and watch the teacher working. There is so much to be gained from watching and listening to other colleagues so it's a wonderful chance for our teachers who are so isolated from the rest of the singing world for most of the time.'' Mrs. Chisling and Dr. Hay met two years ago at the Westminster Choir College.

As a result of that meeting, Dr. Hay visited Bermuda last summer to perform in a concert of Sacred Music at Emmanuel Methodist Church. They are both members of the National Association of Singing, with Mrs. Chisling acting as Bermuda's sole representative: "It's a good thing for Bermuda to be associated because it is an international association and it keeps us up to date with what is happening in the singing world. We are hoping that we will be able to arrange affiliation with the US branch.'' Cultural Affairs consultant Miss Ruth Thomas also participated as a singer in the Master Class and was enthusiastic about it: "It's an excellent thing to do, because we are so cut off from the vocal community here. We hear one another all the time, so it's important to have evaluation from an outsider who can be totally objective. Beverly Hay has an extremely well trained ear that can pick on the slightest difficulty or inaccuracy, but she was also able to suggest technique that brought about an immediate improvement -- the change was phenomenal.'' She said she hopes the experiment can be repeated: "We have some real talent here and when talent exists there is a duty to nourish it.'' MUSICAL TRIO -- Dr. Beverly Hay, centre, conducted a Master Class for Bermuda's singers. Her visit was arranged by Mrs. Nancy Chisling, right, with the Department of Community and Cultural Affairs. Ms. Jane Farge, front, was the accompanist for the 20 singers who took part.