Courtney Lopes

Patricia Calnan Commemorative Award

supported by Friends & Family of the NDFB

Courtney is returning for a second year in the BFA degree programme at SUNY Purchase in NY and told us recently that the school was everything she wanted in a university. In addition to her academic studies, Courtney has worked closely with professional companies and choreographers in residence, performed extensively, and assisted with backstage management. Courtney had the extraordinary opportunity this year to work with world renowned choreographer Jessica Lang who created the piece “Wally” on her.

Anna Clifford

L. John Profit Commemorative Award

sponsored by BF&M Insurance

Anna says: “Everyone has their own passion. Dance is mine… The performing arts define me.” Anna is attending the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama and studying modern ballet in a three-year degree programme in partnership with the Scottish Ballet, Scotland’s award winning national dance company. This wonderful opportunity will help Anna develop into a professional dancer as she hopes to engage in a fulfilling career in the arts.

Rikkai Scott

Georgine Mary Russell Hill Scholarship

sponsored by the Montpelier Re Foundation

Rikkai is 18 years old and is attending the London Contemporary Dance School in London, pursuing a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Contemporary Dance. He has studied at United Dance Productions since the age of 4 and has had additional training at the Duke Ellington School of the Performing Arts, Tap Kids, and the Debbie Allen Dance Academy. Rikkai’s focus has been on all forms of  ballet, and modern but mostly on hip hop and tap. Rikkai has been a student teacher at UDP for the last 3 years of the senior tap class.

James Waddell

Madame Ana Roje Commemorative Award

sponsored by the Montpelier Re Foundation

James has returned to the Central School of Ballet in London for his second of a three-year BA (Hons) programme. He is required to successfully complete a comprehensive dance assessment each term, attend professional and student performances and participate in events and activities promoting dance at the school. Local audiences were impressed with James’ skill and technique at the Bermuda Civic Ballet’s performances of Coppelia at the Bermuda Festival in January 2009.

Karissa Roberts

Professional Development Fund

supported by PartnerRe

An alumna of DanceBermuda, Karissa recently graduated from the University of North Carolina School of the Arts with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in contemporary modern dance. Karissa is currently dancing with the Kinetic Works Dance Company in Charlotte, North Carolina and working towards a certification in Stott Pilates Mat Classes. She plans to use Pilates to help her students further develop their potential as dancers and athletes.

Lauren Rowntree

Professional Development Fund

supported by PartnerRe

Lauren graduated cum laude from Tulane University in New Orleans, Louisiana where she was a member of the Newcomb Dance Company. Lauren had the opportunity to perform at the American College Dance Festival, and worked with New Orleans-based Tsunami Dance Company. Lauren is thrilled to be back in Bermuda and is looking forward to teaching at the In Motion School of Dance and performing with Concepts In Motion next year.