HAMILTON , Bermuda - April 19, 2005 - The National Dance Foundation of Bermuda (NDFB) announced today the names of dancers who have been invited to attend Bermuda 's first-ever international summer dance institute.

 

43 of these students are from Bermuda and 16 are from the U.S. and Canada . The students were invited to participate in the dance institute following auditions held last month in Bermuda , New York and Toronto .

The Road to DanceBermuda 2005

2005 Summer Intensive Students from Bermuda. Missing are: Tyler Barker, Victoria DaPonte, Shakira Lister, Sophia Maguire, Jacqueline Mayor, Sydney Pringle, Angelé Smith, Kiara Somner and Ashley Yearwood.

 

The three-week programme, which will run from August 15 - September 2 at the dance facilities of Bermuda High School on Richmond Road , will be taught by faculty members from the world-renowned American Ballet Theatre (ABT).

 

The historic programme represents the first time a by audition-only dance programme for both local and overseas students has been held in Bermuda and the first time that ABT has offered their widely-respected intensive curriculum outside of the United States.

 

NDFB Chairman Don Kramer said, "We are delighted at the overwhelming response we've received from the dance community, here in Bermuda and overseas, to the establishment of an international summer dance institute in Bermuda . Almost 100 students in New York and Toronto went through a rigorous audition process which was conducted by teachers from ABT. As a result, we have a group of committed and dedicated youngsters who are willing to work very hard to improve their talent in dance."

 

Minister of Community Affairs & Sport the Honourable Dale Butler JP MP, accompanied by Director of Youth & Sports Anthony Roberts and Cultural Affairs Officer Heather Whalen, was on hand to present scholarships provided to dancers who were chosen by their teachers to receive a scholarship from the Ministry.

 

"It gives me great pleasure to participate in this inaugural event and to present scholarships provided by this Ministry for this worthy programme," said Mr. Butler. "There are many ways to develop our youth. The performing arts is one of the most demanding and rigourous of disciplines. Each of the students receiving a scholarship today deserves our admiration and our ongoing support."

 

In making the presentations, Mr. Butler noted that dance school owners, who received two full scholarships of $1350 each, had in several cases given partial scholarships to students in their schools. As a result, 15 promising dancers were being supported by his Ministry in attending the summer programme:

 

Ministry of Community Affairs & Sports 2005 Summer Intensive Scholarship Recipients from Bermuda with The Honourable Dale Butler JP MP (back left) and Don Kramer, Chairman - National Dance Foundation of Bermuda (back right).

Pictured from left to right are Jackson School of Performing Arts (JPSA) students Cordelia Philip and Alexis Richens, Somerset School of Dancing (SSD) students Rachel Ray and Natalie Nielsen. Second row: JPSA student Nicole Hassell, Russian School of Dance student Anna Lea Clifford, In Motion School of Dance (IMSD) student Karissa Roberts, SSD student Safiya Nurse, IMSD student Jaesharrie Johnson, JPSA student Gabriele Dunkley and IMSD student Alanah Bacon.  Back row: JPSA student Melissa Spurling, IMSD student Annaé Robinson, SSD student Laura Norman and IMSD student Courtney Lopes.

 

 

Alanah Bacon - In Motion School of Dance (partial)

"13 yr old Alanah has blossomed in her dancing over the last two years, having danced in total for six years. She consistently works hard in class and was recently introduced into our senior company. She trains in ballet, jazz and modern. Alanah has been awarded this half scholarship because of the tremendous improvement she has demonstrated in the past two years and in the hopes that she will continue that improvement for years to come. She shows a great deal of potential and is a pleasure to work with." - Lizz Pimentel, Owner

 

Anna Lea Clifford - Russian School of Dance (full)

"13 year old Anna began studying ballet at the Russian School when she was 5 years old.  Over the years she has developed a lovely classical technique and always works with great effort and determination.  Anna's beautiful body lines and joyful expression support her lovely performance quality.  She began taking additional classes at In Motion several years ago and is a valuable member of their Senior Company. Anna demonstrates a great deal of potential and a positive work ethic.  I am very pleased to be able to award her this scholarship."

- Coral Patterson, Director

 

 

Gabriele Dunkley - Jackson School of the Performing Arts (partial)

"Gaby, 15 years old, has been studying dance at the Jackson School of Performing Arts since the age of 3 yrs. She is currently enrolled in (2) intermediate/senior ballet classes, (2) intermediate/senior jazz classes, (1) senior Tap class, (1) senior Hip Hop class (1) intermediate/senior modern class and (1) performance class. Gaby loves to dance, it is her passion. She is a bright spark in her classes and always up for a challenge. Gaby has been awarded this scholarship for her hard work and dedication to dance and to the School." - Jeanne Legere, Owner

 

Nicole Hassell - Jackson School of the Performing Arts (partial)

"Nicole is 12 years old and has been a student of the Jackson School of Performing Arts for nine years. She is currently doing (2) ballet classes, and (1) tap class. Nicole will do well in anything she attempts, because she has a positive attitude that comes out in her dance classes.  She is being awarded this scholarship for her hard work and positive attitude in her dance classes." - Jeanne Legere, Owner

 

 

Jaesharrie Johnson - In Motion School of Dance (partial)

"12 yr old Jaesharrie Johnson started dancing four years ago and studies ballet, tap, jazz, modern. She is a lovely dancer who will go far if she continues to apply herself the way she does. She is extremely attentive and eager to improve her technique. Jaesharrie has been awarded this half scholarship based on her technical ability, positive attitude and commitment to dance. She was recently made a member of our Junior Company and continues to illustrate a strong sense of technique. " - Lizz Pimentel, Owner

 

 

Courtney Lopes - In Motion School of Dance (partial)

"14yr old Courtney is technically advanced beyond her years after only six years of dance training at In Motion. This is a young dancer who shows tremendous promise in dance. At such a young age she is one of our strongest dancers and consistently applies herself in her dance training. Her commitment and work ethic will take her far in the dance world. Courtney has been a senior level dancer since age 11 and trains in ballet, jazz, tap and modern. She was accepted into, and attended, the North Carolina School of the Arts contemporary summer program last year. Courtney has been awarded this half scholarship because of her potential and commitment to pursuing a career in dance." - Lizz Pimentel, Owner

 

 

Natalie Nielsen - Somerset School of Dancing (full)

"Natalie is 10 years old and has been studying dance for six years. She takes four classes a week in which she studies classical ballet and character dance. She is a quiet dedicated student who has shown considerable progress in the last two years and has excellent potential to pursue classical ballet as a career." - Sal Hodgson, Owner

 

 

Laura Norman - Somerset School of Dancing (full)

"Laura, who is 15 and has been studying dance for 12 years, takes seven classes a week in classical ballet, character, modern/jazz, and body conditioning. Throughout her training Laura has always given of her best. She is an extremely hardworking individual with impeccable attendance and punctuality. Laura works hard to please her teachers, is always pleasant and reliable. She is a joy to teach. " - Sal Hodgson, Owner

 

Safiya Nurse - Somerset School of Dance (partial)

"Safiya, 11 years old, studies classical ballet, character, modern/jazz and tap in the six classes she takes a week. She has always shown a keen interest in dance and has progressed through the grades more quickly than normal. Safiya is a very pleasant individual and a joy to teach. She has drive and a determination which will get her ahead in whatever field she chooses, hopefully dance." Sal Hodgson, Owner

 

 

Cordelia Philip - Jackson School of Performing Arts (partial)

"Cordelia is 12 years old and has been dancing at the Jackson School of Performing Arts for eight years. She is currently enrolled in (2) ballet classes, (1) tap class and (1) jazz class. Cordelia is a bright young dancer, who will do well, as she works quietly, but with a lot of effort put into her classes. She was awarded this scholarship because of her ability and hard work in her classes." - Jeanne Legere, Owner

 

 

Rachel Ray - Somerset School of Dancing (partial)

"10 year old Rachel has been dancing for three years and now studies classical ballet and character dance. She is a very keen and hard working student who takes correction well and applies it quickly to her technique. Since her commencement with the school, Rachel has shown substantial progress and is always polite and attentive. The experience with the ABT Summer Intensive Course will no doubt feed her appetite for her love of dance." - Sal Hodgson, Owner

 

 

Alexis Richens - Jackson School of Performing Arts (partial)

"Alexis is 12 years old and has been studying dance at the Jackson School of Performing Arts for nine years. She is currently enrolled in (2) ballet classes, (1) jazz class, (1) modern class, (1) jazz class and (1) hip hop class. Alexis is a budding dancer who is very determined and wants to be the best she can be. Alexis was awarded this scholarship for her hard work and dedication to her dance." - Sal Hodgson, Owner

 

 

Karissa Roberts - In Motion School of Dance (full)

"17 year old Karissa started dancing at In Motion only five years ago and since then has become one of our most senior level dancers. Through her hard work and dedication to dance she was accepted into, and attended, the North Carolina School of the Arts ballet summer program last year. She has also gained entry into North Carolina School of the Arts college program for this fall and continues to study and excel in her ballet, jazz, modern and tap studies.  Karissa's strong sense of devotion to the art is evident in both her technical ability and performance quality. Karissa has been awarded this full scholarship because she possesses a great deal of potential and is extremely focused in making a career out of dance." - Lizz Pimentel, Owner

 

 

Annaé Robinson - In Motion School of Dance (partial)

"17yr old Annaé started dancing at In Motion five years ago and since then has not only demonstrated a strong sense of commitment to the arts but has also expressed a strong interest in dance education. She is one of our senior level dancers and trains in ballet, tap, jazz and modern. Annaé has been awarded this half scholarship because she is a great asset to our dance community and will hopefully one day share her love of dance with our local community of dancers. " - Lizz Pimentel, Owner

 

 

Melissa Spurling - Jackson School of the Performing Arts (partial)

"15 year old Melissa has been studying dance at the Jackson School of Performing Arts since the age of 7 yrs. She is currently enrolled in (2) intermediate/senior ballet classes. (1) intermediate/senior modern class and (2) intermediate/senior jazz classes. She is a lovely young lady, quiet in demeanor, works hard in class and gets on with whatever is asked of her. She is awarded this scholarship for her consistent hard work, her love of dance and her dedication to the School."- Jeanne Legere, Owner

 

 

Mr. Kramer noted that in addition to the scholarships provided by Mr. Butler's Ministry, the National Dance Foundation has awarded a full scholarship to Tyler Barker, a promising Bermudian male dancer currently studying at the New World School of the Arts in Miami , Florida . Tyler will return to Bermuda to attend the international summer dance institute.

 

The three-week programme will include technique, pointe and partnering classes as well as Pilates, modern and hip-hop. There will also be lessons in the history of dance and nutrition.

 

ABT faculty members who will be teaching the summer programme are:

 

Mr. Franco DeVita , principal, the Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis School of Ballet at ABT

Mr. Clinton Luckett , artistic associate of ABT's Studio Company

Ms Kate Lydon , former member of ABT's corps de ballet and a teacher with ABT's Education and Outreach programmes

Mr. Brian Reeder , former of ABT's corps de ballet, choreographer, and a teacher with ABT's Education and Outreach

Mr. Danny Tidwell , a current member of ABT's corps de ballet

 

ABT has asked Ms Sophie Cannonier , a former dancer with the Dance Theatre of Harlem who now operates The Integrative Health Cooperative in Warwick , to teach Pilates classes during the three-week programme.

 

The National Dance Foundation of Bermuda, a non-profit organization registered with the Bermuda Charities Commission and a company limited by guaranty, is dedicated to the development of exceptional dancers and choreographers in Bermuda .

 

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Editor's Note :

 

The complete list of students attending the 2005 Summer Dance Institute are:

BERMUDA	CANADA
Dominique Anderson	Emilia Huntley
Alanah Bacon	Davidson Jaconello
Tyler Barker
Meredith Bibbings	UNITED STATES
Vairi Cassidy	Brittany Barkin
Anna Clifford	Darius Barnes
Victoria DaPonte	Ryan Cardea
Jasmine DeBraga	Jamaal Antonio Clue
Jelani Douglas	Arielle Cruz
Gabriele Dunkley	Jackie Damico
Olivia Dunkley	Patrick Doe
Sophie Faulkenberry	Ashley Emmons
Kristyn Fellowes	Whitney Fitts
Sara Gibbons	Stephanie Gotch
Nicole Hassell	Alexandra Hochberg
Jaesharrie Johnson	Jenny Johnson
Alyssa Jones	Natasha Kalimada
Shakira Lister	Nora McGinley-Hence
Courtney Lopes	Justin Melvin
Gabriella-Cassandra Lupi	Allie Pawlukojc
Sophia Maguire	Maggie Ronan
Jacqueline Mayor	Aimee Schleimer
Alanna Morrison	Jose Sebastian
Natalie Nielsen	Kathryn Olivia Van Yahres
Laura Norman	Karrell Williams
Safiya Nurse
Cordelia Philip
Sydney Pringle
Rachel Ray
Alexis Richens
Karissa Roberts
Annae Robinson
Shelby Rodrigues
Erin Simons
Nelshea Simons-Bean
Angelé Smith
Krystal Smith
Stacee C. E. Smith
Chelsea Lynne Soares
Kiara Somner
Melissa Spurling
Chantal Stowe
Alexandria Williams
Ashley Yearwood