Actress Catherine Zeta-Jones has told them "to be big and look like they're having fun" but for these 14 children it will also be the experience of their lifetimes.

They will be dancing tonight with the Oscar-winning actress on stage in front of an audience of hundreds when they perform a piece from the Broadway musical "Mack and Mabel" during the National Dance Foundation of Bermuda's (NDFB) annual gala.

The Royal Gazette caught up with the children as they rehearsed with Miss Zeta-Jones at the Mid-Ocean Amphitheatre, at the Fairmont Southampton, where the gala is being staged.

"I'm ecstatic, it's kind of surreal that we're going be dancing with Catherine Zeta-Jones on stage," said 16-year-old Bermuda High School student, Elyssa-June Smith.

Miss Teen Bermuda, 16-year-old Allyssa Rose said: "I had to learn how to balance these rehearsals with school and my other dance classes, but I have had so much fun it's not work for me, it's fun."

Bermuda High School student, Sofiya Nurse, aged 14, said she felt pretty good about her performance. "I usually perform ballet. This is the first time I will be performing tap in a gala like this and the first time I will be performing with a star."

And East End Primary student, Salae Bowen aged nine, said: "Miss Zeta-Jones told us to smile and act like it's a real recital during our rehearsals." Ten-year-old Elizabeth Parsons from Saltus added: "She told us to always be big."

NDFB development director Mary Faulkenberry said rehearsals started just over two weeks ago. "They have been working very hard on their own and have not missed any rehearsals," she said.

"Miss Zeta-Jones has been very hands on with them.

"They have been practising so hard that when she arrived and they performed for her, they were confident, not nervous and their performance was fantastic, they were excellent."

Mrs. Faulkenberry added: "When Miss Zeta-Jones first walked in, there was a buzz of excitement. Everyone was thrilled at the first rehearsal and it all went together very well.

"Dance teaches students focus, discipline, respect and cooperation, through this they gain conference and trust that they will carry on to the rest of their life."

Although all the dancers were excited about performing on stage with a superstar and preparing for tonight's gala took up a great deal of time, they could not forget their daily obligations like grades and homework.

Racheal Bacon, aged 13, from Saltus, said: "I want to be a business person, but I may dance, I'm not sure."

Elizabeth Parsons said that if she does not become an accountant she might consider becoming a salsa dancer.

Lyndsey Arorash, of Mount Said Agnes, said: "I love dancing and I am going to enjoy performing with Miss Catherine. She is a wonderful person and the best artist I've ever met."