Frequently Asked Questions

Q. What do you offer to the local dance community?

A. The National Dance Foundation of Bermuda provides dedicated dancers with world-class training opportunities that  will allow them to hone their talent and perfect their skills.

Q. Who is your target audience?

A. The Foundation provides Bermuda’s talented dancers, teachers and choreographers with development opportunities that support their ongoing training and professional activity.

Q. What programmes do you offer?

A. The Foundation has established an annual calendar of activity that includes the following programmes:

PartnerRe MasterClass Series: a series of weekend master classes is available free of charge to the dance community. Master teachers represent  renowned dance schools and companies, including  American Ballet Theatre, The Ailey School, the  Juilliard School and the Dance Theatre of Harlem.

DanceBermuda: a three-week international summer intensive hosted by the National Dance Foundation of Bermuda in partnership with American Ballet Theatre. This comprehensive and diverse program includes ballet, pointe, partnering, men’s classes, modern, Pilates, contemporary, Broadway jazz, and repertory classes. Additional classes are included in the curriculum at the end of the regular class day and have included African dance, Latin dance and improvisation.

Scholarships and other financial aid instruments: the National Dance Foundation awards, on an annual basis, three major Bermuda Ballet Association Commemorative Awards and one National Dance Foundation of Bermuda scholarship.

The Bermuda Ballet Association Commemorative Awards are:

- The Patricia Calnan Commemorative Award of $15,000 to support a student’s advanced study at an accredited university or other professional programme,

- The Madame Ana Roje Commemorative Award of $7,500 to support study at a recognized professional dance institution by a dancer or teacher demonstrating excellence in ballet and the commitment to further his or her training professionally, and

- The L. John Profit Commemorative Award of $7,500 to support study at a recognized professional institution by a dancer, teacher or choreographer willing to contribute to the Bermuda dance community after having completed their training and gaining sufficient international experience.

The National Dance Foundation of Bermuda Georgine Mary Russell Hill Scholarship of $7,500 is awarded to a dancer, teacher or choreographer who supports the Foundation’s mission of raising the standard of dance excellence in Bermuda and demonstrates the talent, skill and commitment to pursue advanced dance training at a recognized university or another professional programme overseas.

In addition to the awards listed above, bursary funding for dance study in Bermuda or abroad is awarded to assist with qualified applicants’ financial need.

The Professional Development Fund:  The National Dance Foundation also aims to raise the level of dance excellence by helping Bermuda teachers to pursue additional professional development. This funding is available to Bermudian dance teachers for study at recognised institutions, schools or companies overseas. There is no age limit for those who apply and no specific time frame for application. We accept applications on a rolling basis throughout the year.

Q. How do I find out about your important dates, when to apply, etc?

A. The Foundation promotes its initiatives and programmes in the Island’s newspapers, on local radio stations, on our website, on our Facebook page and through email notices. You may also contact us at (441) 278-0709 and we will be happy to answer any questions you may have.