Talented Bermudians are to be offered a rare opportunity over the coming months ¿ the chance to shine before industry bigwigs and win scholarships to hone their skills in dance, singing or acting, at renowned institutions in the United States.

Called the 'Success Series', the initiative is the brainchild of Kevin Bean. His company KDB Productions has partnered with local and American organisations to help gifted entertainers realise their dreams.

This week, as Mr. Bean readies for the first in the series, 'Singing for Success', he met with Mid-Ocean News reporter Heather Wood to discuss how he hopes to help others achieve their aspirations.

Q: What is the 'Success Series'? When does it start? What's the idea behind it?

A: On April 20, 2008, the Success Series begins. In 2005 I did a pilot programme called 'Dancing for Success' at Fairmont Southampton that was very successful and out of that, because it did so well, I was able to go back to (potential) sponsors and say, 'Here it is. Look what I did on my own with no sponsorship whatsoever'.

And I was able to prove to them that there was a general need for this kind of thing in Bermuda. So for two years I've been tracking down schools and trying to get them on board (because) at the end of the day they don't know Kevin Bean from (a hole in the wall).

I did a lot of travelling. I would go to the schools, talk with the schools, all to help them understand this was something they should be a part of. And at the end of the day I was successful.

Q: When you refer to schools, you mean schools abroad?

A: That's right. (We have) the Berklee (College of Music), the Ailey (School), (the) LA Music Academy, Juilliard is coming down ¿ it's that type of thing. We worked really hard to try and sell Bermuda as a place that they could get good talent. Most schools have had some Bermudian students.

Berklee has had quite a few Bermudians go through (it). So they're familiar with the talent but the deal was trying to get them on board so that we can build a relationship. So that it's an ongoing process and not just one or two, here or there, that make it to the school.

Q: How did you manage to establish such relationships?

A: You bang on doors, you kick doors down. It literally starts with a phone call. And naturally whenever you're talking about scholarships people are not listening that well in the beginning so there's a lot of returned phone calls. It's a lot of talking. And talking knowing that they're half listening to you.

And so you just have to be prepared for them to close the door in your face. You have to be prepared for that before you begin. And then eventually somebody's going to start listening.

My package fortunately was good enough ¿ I sent them a whole proposal ¿ and it was enough to at least get their attention. And that started the process and then one thing leads to another. But first you get them on board, then you have to get them on board mentally, then you have to go past that person to someone higher who is the one that makes the decisions for the scholarships.

Q: How did you work it so it all came together? So you could offer so much in scholarship funding at once?

A: Well, it didn't all come together at once. I started a long time ago. I always had a date in mind so they all knew that whatever the decision was going to be, it had to be done for this particular date.

So that's what happened. The schools (involved with) 'Singing for Success' are Berklee College of Music, LA Music Academy and Juilliard. (Juilliard was) not going to give a scholarship right away because they felt that because they deal with classical singing, they didn't think that this kind of competition would produce classical singers ¿ which makes sense.

But what they are doing is they're coming anyway, to be part of the process, to get a proper feel for what's going on. And you never know they may still take someone in.

They will definitely be back for the June event, which is the 'Dancing for Success' because that's where they feel they can really play a major role. And they'll be back again for the acting, in September. So, worst-case scenario, at least we have them here, in the house to see the talent.

Q: What's on offer to the winners of each competition?

A: Well, at the end of the day, I'm trying to make sure that somebody gets some education. Obviously the schools are not going to hand out a full scholarship. But what they are doing, by them coming down, they want to see the quality of the production, the quality of the singers. They want to see if there's anything they want to invest in, in the future.

So at the end of the day, this time around, we've got the Berklee College group giving part scholarships and then I'm giving some money. To 'Dancing for Success', I'm giving $30,000 but then we've been blessed with Alvin Ailey throwing in a scholarship as well and Martha Graham with a part scholarship for that school as well.

So these are bonuses. Now with Juilliard, that's going to be a bonus too because they're coming. Just the fact that they're coming shows that there's a strong interest. So they'll be on the panel of judges.

Q: Who are your judges?

A: I'm trying to have international judges so that it's completely impartial. So we have Juilliard. We have big names who are going to come down and be a part of this and I feel good about the interest because it's a stepping stone. Everything is a stepping-stone. Anything more than the $30,000 I'm putting up is a bonus.

Now the 'Acting for Success', which is in September, we have already a full year's scholarship from the Neighbourhood Playhouse (School of the Theatre) which is a reputable school in New York City and it happens to be the school that I went to.

And they didn't think twice ¿ mainly because, I assume, they know me, and they know I've been doing this for a long time. The director of the school is the one who's going to come down. So that's a big plus. We have some industry people coming down as well, so this is going to be a really great opportunity.

Q: Why are you doing this?

A: At the end of the day, this is what I choose to do. This is what I love more than anything else in the world ¿ literally. There were no opportunities for me or, if there were, they were very, very few. I didn't have the same opportunities as the kids are having now and so I'm trying to make sure that people, the kids understand that if this is something that you want to do, there are possibilities.

Because for me, when I wanted to do it I was told 'no', by teachers, principals, everybody said, 'That's not the way to go because it's not a viable (profession). You have to go to school and learn something else'.

I don't think that's right. You don't want to knock somebody's dream. No matter how unrealistic it seems to you, if the person has the energy and the desire they will probably make it.

So I just want to present opportunities because there weren't enough opportunities presented for people like myself and I'm sure there are a lot of others who are just unaware. So even if the opportunities are being presented in different areas, there's a section of us who don't get to notice, or don't get to see or who it isn't marketed to.

Q: Do you think there's sufficient talent here to warrant such an event?

A: There's tons of talent in Bermuda. The only thing that needs to happen is the kids need to feel as though it is a possibility that they can be (successful). That's it. Because for years we've had kids go off to school, get a degree in law or whatever and not come back and be a lawyer and I really think it's because we were being pushed to do what we didn't really want to do.

So whatever the kid wants to do, no matter how crazy it sounds to you, you've got to let them do it and you've got to support them so that they can do it.

Q: What's been Bermuda's response to the series?

A: I think it's incredible. I'm very, very grateful to all the sponsors ¿ of course, we could use more sponsorship, let's be very clear about that. I'm very grateful to those who have jumped on board because they could see the vision. That's what's most important if you can see the vision. It's not about that day's event.

The 20th is going to be a fantastic event ¿ no doubt about it. However, what I'm trying to do is much bigger than the 20th. By bringing down record industry people, by bringing down the schools, by bringing down (MTV Caribbean channel) Tempo ¿ this is not the cream of what I'm attempting to do.

What I'm attempting to do is far greater. This is just simply a stepping-stone. If I'm able to give everybody on stage some form of scholarship, then I will have succeeded. My wish is to be able to not just give the winner a scholarship, but everyone who makes it into the finals. That's what I would like to see, to build towards.

Q: You intend for this to be an annual event?

A: Absolutely. This is an annual event. There's nothing that's going to stop this ball from rolling now. It will snowball for sure because we have many, many people overseas who are interested and I think that's great for the future.

I'm excited about the fact that we have a lot of the big names in the industry who are really excited about coming down. They will be here. It's just a matter of getting Bermuda interested in the same way.

Q: Are talented singers/actors/dancers thrilled with what you're offering?

A: I think they're really excited. I think initially, there's going to be a large group of people that's going to be sitting in the wings waiting to see the result. And I don't knock them. Let's be very clear about that. Because we have had tons of promises made in this industry and people have not followed through.

So I have no issue with people who want to sit back and wait to see if it's real. I have no problem with that because I know what it is I'm doing and I feel extremely confident with what I'm doing. My thought is that after the first show people will take this very, very seriously. Because that's the inaugural event, it's a big deal, that's what's going to send a message to the people that this show is for real.

Q: When are the various events taking place?

A: April 20, June 7 and September 27. Now the tour is a big part of this. Our mission statement is that we aim to give education as well as experience. In the real business world, businesses open their doors to prospective employees and they want some form of experience and they also want to see some form of education.

And so I'm trying to offer them an education and then at the end of it give them some experience. So we're booked to (perform in) Las Vegas, November 4 and on the way back we'll be performing at the Apollo Theatre on November 9 and I think that that's a big deal.

Q: When you say 'we', you're referring to the winners?

A: The winners of each show along with the band, background vocals and the choir. We're going to make a big show of this. There's a lot more going on with the tour that I cannot talk about yet but there's going to be some huge surprises as far as who we're touring with. So it's a really big deal, I'm very excited by it and just trying to take go one step at a time.

Q: Where is it to be held?

A: At the Fairmont Southampton. Doors open at 6 and the show starts at 7. I'm very excited about it ¿ we have our own theme song, our web site will be debuted on that night. So there's a lot going on. It will be an action-packed night.

Q: What does this mean for you personally?

A: Personally, this means the world. This is something I've been trying to do for ten years. Ten years ago it was just too big. Nothing has changed between December 13, 1998 and now. Nothing. The programme remains the same. The only difference is instead of Tempo, we had BET ¿ the only difference.

The show, the tour, everything's the same. It was just too big back then. I think everybody looked at me like I had lost my mind but I didn't give up on it because it was something I thought was necessary.

I'm really excited about it. But as far as the tour, I think the most exciting part for me is going to be the Apollo Theatre. Performing in Vegas is going to be nice, but for me from when I was a kid, to produce an event at the Apollo Theatre has always been a dream of mine ¿ and I grew up in New York City, so I'm looking forward to that.

Q: Do you think you've been able to move forward partially because the arts are receiving greater attention in Bermuda today?

A: Absolutely. I think people are more accepting of the arts than they were before especially in the other fields. Dance is always going to be there. It's a beautiful art and has been (an accepted) form of the arts for centuries but singers and actors they don't normally get the same support when it comes to education. I'm hoping to change that.

Q: Where can people get tickets?

A: Tickets are available at People's Pharmacy, the iStore and Shannon's Boutique for $65. And I would suggest that they get their tickets early because I'm sure it's going to be a well-attended event