International goodwill group Up with People introduced themselves to Bermuda yesterday, as they prepare for a fortnight of volunteering and performing on the island.

The troupe comprises 100 “cast members” aged 17 to 29 from across the globe, who will be staying with host families while performing a total of 2,000 hours of community service.

They will also be putting on three two-hour music and dance shows from April 28 to 30 at CedarBridge Academy, plus a free promotional performance this Friday from 5pm at City Hall.

After dividing into groups to teach a dance class at Sandys Community Centre, as well as conducting clean-ups at Kaleidoscope Arts Foundation and Sherwin Nature Reserve, UWP enjoyed an official welcome at CedarBridge Academy yesterday afternoon.

“We’ve been counting the days until your arrival and finally you are here,” principal Kalmar Richards told the assembled group, who arrived on Thursday.

“We have great expectations for you as you serve, entertain and educate the community.”

Kayla Hollis, an alumna of both CedarBridge Academy and UWP, spoke of her unforgettable time travelling the world with the group.

She added: “You may have hard times, but they will make you who you are in the future. I’m so glad you guys are here.”

Patricia Gordon-Pamplin, the Minister of Community, Culture and Sports who is serving as a host, said: “I hope you remember Bermuda very fondly. You are certainly all welcome, and from what I have seen you are all very special.”

UWP celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2015. The current cast, which consists of 20 nationalities, began in January in Colorado, USA and will finish in Brussels, Belgium on June 8 — with stays in Mexico, Bermuda, Sweden and Denmark in between.

Dutch national Raymond Mulangu, 20, serves as the troupe’s dance captain.

“We knew Bermuda would be beautiful, but the most surprising thing is that the people have been so chilled and so welcoming,” he said.

Seattle native Chelsea Henak, 19, added: “It’s amazing how everyone says hello to each other here.

“I’ve always seen that there’s a little darkness in the world, but some groups of people show a certain light. I’ve always wanted to be a part of something like that.”

Up with People will perform medleys from the 1960s to the 2000s, as well as original tunes, during their shows at CedarBridge Academy’s Ruth Seaton James Centre for the Performing Arts.

Shows take place at 7pm on April 28 and 29, and 2pm and 7pm on April 30. Tickets, which begin at $15, are available at upwithpeople.org/bermuda