Young Bermudians enjoyed the opportunity of a lifetime to dance with Hollywood superstar Catherine Zeta-Jones on Saturday.

The 14 youngsters joined the actress for a song and tap number from the Broadway musical 'Mack and Mabel' during the National Dance Foundation of Bermuda's (NDFB) annual gala.

Maryem Biadillah, executive director of the NDFB said: "Of course they were excited, it's an excellent opportunity for them. They were very happy and worked very hard. They all enjoyed working with her and she enjoyed working with them."

Ms Zeta-Jones, a former UK national tap champion, Oscar winner and Bermuda resident, has been a member of the board of the NDFB since its inception.

During that time, she has given of her time, attending board meetings and student workshops, and provided funding to the foundation and scholarship recipients.

In addition to Ms. Zeta-Jones' performance, the 'Dance Your Troubles Away' gala featured ballet and contemporary dance performances by some of Bermuda's best local dancers and by members of ABT II, American Ballet Theatre's second company.

A tribute to the art of tap dancing featured local rising tap star Rikkai Scott as well as international tap sensations Jason Samuels Smith and Dormeshia Sumbry-Edwards.

The event, which was hosted at the Fairmont Southampton Resort, raised $220,000 for DanceBermuda, the NDFB'S international summer training programme.

n Look out for Nancy Acton's full coverage of the gala, including Zeta-Jones performance with 14 local tapper, later this week in The Royal Gazette