HAMILTON, Bermuda, August 24, 2007 – The National Dance Foundation today awarded scholarships provided by Academy Award winning actress and Bermuda resident Catherine Zeta-Jones to students attending DanceBermuda, the three-week international summer intensive run by the Foundation in partnership with American Ballet Theatre.

 

This is the third year that Miss Zeta-Jones has funded scholarships for students attending the prestigious programme.

 

The seven scholarships, which are awarded at the end of the three-week intensive, meet the cost of tuition for attendance at the subsequent year’s DanceBermuda programme.

 

Presentations to the students, who were chosen by the DanceBermuda faculty because of their talent, work ethic and attitude, were made by President and CEO of XL Capital Mr. Brian O’Hara following a workshop production at the City Hall Theatre on Friday, August 24. Mr. O’Hara was chairman of the 2007 gala, A Night of Dance , held in February of this year which raised funds for DanceBermuda 2007.

 

In announcing the recipients of the Catherine Zeta-Jones scholarships, Mr. O’Hara noted the reason that each student had been chosen:

 

“Alida Ratteray, aged 11, is an exceptionally hard working dancer. She is a bright and eager student with a wonderful work ethic who shows great promise.

 

“Ashley Martins, aged 12, has an excellent facility for dance and an elegant movement quality. She is an outstanding student and a role model to her peers.

 

“Rebecca McLauchlan, aged 12, has demonstrated with her natural facility that she has potential which, when combined with disciplined effort, promises a bright future.

 

“Ashley Yearwood, aged 12, has determination as well as an ability to apply corrections accurately, both of which enable her to show swift progress and improvement.

 

“Anna Clifford, aged 16, has the ability to show, through her movement quality, her passion for dance and her performance is encouraging.

 

“Roman Cruz, aged 17, has a natural gift for movement and desire to dance which are apparent when observing him in class. He has made great strides on his journey to become a better dancer.

 

“Precious Adams , aged 12, demonstrates a clean classical technique and an understanding of the importance of learning and practicing a range of dance styles.”

 

Mr. O’Hara also noted that Sophia Cannonier, who taught Pilates and Feldenkrais classes during DanceBermuda 2007, has chosen three students to receive scholarships for 10, one-hour private group lessons of instruction at Bermuda Integrated Health Cooperative, the business Ms Cannonier owns and manages.

 

The recipients of Ms Cannonier’s scholarships are:

 

Rachel Ray, aged 12; Jasmine DeBraga, aged 15; and Anna Clifford, aged 16.

 

Ms Cannonier noted that the three young women had demonstrated exemplary focus and attention in her classes as well as a willing receptivity to instruction.

 

Chairman of the National Dance Foundation Don Kramer said that this year’s DanceBermuda summer intensive had been one of the best yet.

 

“ I made some comments in the workshop programme that I believe bear repeating: watching almost 100 young people dance with utter conviction and commitment, demonstrating skills they have worked so hard to achieve during the last three weeks, is one of those experiences that will stay with me for a very long time.

 

“Students from the Bermuda, the US and Canada have come together to share the joy and passion that they have for dance. Any differences in race, gender, age or cultural background are irrelevant; what they have in common is the ultimate hallmark of their experience.

 

“It is this shared experience that keeps me excited about DanceBermuda and about the National Dance Foundation. Bringing students together from across Bermuda , and from overseas, and offering them a chance to work together as they explore and develop their talents and abilities, is what makes this programme unique.

 

“ I congratulate all of the students who participated in DanceBermuda and those who were chosen to receive a scholarship. This programme has gained a reputation as one of the best available for students during the summer months and Bermuda should be proud of the international attention the Island receives as a result of this world-class intensive.”

 

The National Dance Foundation of Bermuda, a registered charity and a company limited by guaranty, helps to raise the standard of dance excellence in Bermuda by providing world-class training to the island’s dancers, teachers and choreographers.