Students who took part in the last Shakespeare Festival will this week receive tips from a top Canadian director.Eda Holmes worked on the Grammy-nominated film ‘Satie and Suzanne’, has coached the Cincinnati Ballet’s production of ‘Romeo and Juliet’ and has directed many plays as part of Ontario’s renowned Shaw Festival.It was through the Shaw Festival that she met Bermudian dancer and choreographer Conchita Ming.“She was in town and came in and was asking if there was any way to bring someone from the company to Bermuda for Shakespeare workshops.“She spoke with our head of education and she got in touch with me,” Ms Holmes said.“I am literally going to be working with the students on basic acting techniques in terms of dealing with breath, physicality, status and listening.“All these are core techniques. Everyone has trouble with those things whether they are 14 years old or 40.“Connecting your body and your thoughts is a really big challenge for an actor.”Ms Holmes started out as a soloist with San Francisco Ballet.“I started [dancing] at the age of four. Then I retired when I was 32 and studied theatre and this is my second career. I went straight from dance to becoming a director.“Every dancer has to make a transition from dance to something else at some point. You know that from the onset of your career.“To make the change was terrifying and exhilarating all at the same time. I have been directing for about 15 years now.”She often participates in a training programme for young actors new to the Shaw Festival. She also does a lot of work with young people in universities in Toronto.“I find connecting with young people who are interested in theatre and interested in taking it on, incredibly exhilarating,” she said. “It is great to have the connection to the youth and be able to share what we know and discover what they have to offer.“The learning always goes in both directions. I get a lot of energy and curiosity from my students.”After conducting the workshops she plans to start rehearsals for Tom Stoppard’s play ‘Arcadia’ which will be performed at the Shaw Festival later this year.The free workshops will occur over the course of this week. Students from Bermuda High, Somersfield Academy, Warwick Academy, Saltus Grammar, the Berkeley Institute and CedarBridge Academy will participate as well as five middle school students.