Auditions for dance students are being held on Sunday for this year's National Dance Foundation of Bermuda (NDFB) summer intensive, DanceBermuda, which takes place at the Bermuda High School for Girls' (BHS) dance facilities from August 3 to 21.

Pre-registration, of $25, is required, and must include a recommendation from the student's dance teacher, and a photograph in first arabesque. Students who are unable to attend the audition may submit a videotape.

Sunday's auditions will be held in the dance studio of the Jessey Vesey Centre at BHS, beginning at 2 p.m. Auditions for international students will take place on February 28 at 2 p.m. at the American Ballet Theatre studios, 890 Broadway, in New York City, and at the University of Quebec, Rue Cherrier, in Montreal, respectively.

DanceBermuda 2009 marks the fifth year of the summer intensive, and NDFB development director Mary Faulkenberry is proud of the international reputation it now enjoys.

"In just five years, DanceBermuda has established a reputation in the dance world as one of the best summer intensives available anywhere," she said. "For Bermuda dancers, the chance to participate in a three-week intensive right here at home offers huge advantages. They're saved the cost of overseas travel but still reap the benefits of excellent instruction, studying alongside talented dancers from overseas.

"Many of the international students choose our programme over others which have been running for decades. Because the class sizes are kept small, they receive personal attention, which is unusual in a programme of this calibre. They have easy access to some of the best dance teachers in the world, and they love the warm and friendly welcome they receive in Bermuda."

DanceBermuda is presented by the NDFB in partnership with American Ballet Theatre (ABT). A world-class faculty of master teachers from ABT and other premier dance schools and companies present an intensive programme of instruction in ballet, jazz and modern dance. There are also men's and partnering classes.

The summer intensive also offers a Young Dancer's programme for students aged eight to 13, and three levels of DanceBermuda curriculum for students aged 12 to 22.

For further information see the website www.dancebermuda.org