The National Dance Foundation of Bermuda is inviting applications from interested Bermudian dance students, dance teachers and choreographers for the three Bermuda Ballet Association commemorative awards it presents annually in support of professional training overseas.

Available are:

- The Patricia Calnan Commemorative Award, valued at $15,000, in support of advanced study at an accredited university or other professional programme.

- The Madame Ana Roje Commemorative Award, valued at $7,500 and sponsored by the Montpelier Re Foundation, is in support of study at a recognised professional institution by a dancer or teacher who demonstrates excellence in ballet, and the commitment to further his or her training in a professional programme.

- The L. John Profit Commemorative Award, valued at $7,500 in support of study at a recognised professional institution by a dancer, teacher or choreographer who is also willing to contribute to the Bermuda dance community after he or she has completed training and gained experience.

- Bursaries: In addition to the commemorative awards, bursary funds of up to $750 for study in Bermuda or abroad will be considered for students demonstrating financial need.

Application forms for the Bermuda Ballet Association Commemorative Awards can be downloaded from the NDFB website at www.dancebermuda.org or obtained from the NDFB office ( 236-3319. Applications must be received by June 15, 2007.

Ms Calnan, Madame Roje and Mr. Profit were all instrumental in developing the Bermuda Ballet Association, which was dissolved in the autumn of 2005. The award in Ms Calnan’s name was established in 2002 following her untimely death, while those in Madame Roje and Mr. Profit’s names were established in 2006 in their honour. All three awards now commemorate the long and distinguished 40-year history of the Bermuda Ballet Association.

The awards were granted for the first time for the school year 2006-07, and the recipients were: Dominique Anderson (Patricia Calnan Award); Sierra-Renae Robinson (L. John Profit Award, sponsored by BF&M); and Jacqueline Mayor (Madame Ana Roje Award). Each underwent a rigorous application process which included a written submission, an interview before the NDFB scholarship committee, and an audition conducted by a representative of American Ballet Theatre.

By all accounts, the experience each of the young women has undergone at her respective overseas school during the past year has been rewarding and fulfilling.

Dominique (Nicki) Anderson has been studying at Dean College in Massachusetts. In addition to her heavy schedule of classes, she has also been given many opportunities to perform.

Last November, after successfully auditioning for her school’s Modern and Ballet companies, when rehearsals began she was chosen to dance in pieces by both companies. During the same week Miss Anderson also performed for the first time with the In the Makin’ dance team and step squad based in Lynn, Massachusetts.

“That was great fun because we performed at the Celtics game in Boston,” she recalls. “I don’t know how many people can say they’ve seen an NBA game, but for me it was wonderful, and I was in awe.”

Further good fortune came Miss Anderson’s way in February this year when the NDFB invited her to join two other Bermudian dancers in New York City for a week to rehearse a piece especially choreographed for the trio by Brian Reeder of the American Ballet Theater. It was subsequently performed to great acclaim at the Foundation’s annual gala held at the Fairmont Southampton Resort and hosted by Hollywood actress and Bermuda resident Catherine Zeta Jones.

“That was an amazing experience, and one I will never forget,” Miss Anderson says. “I got to know my fellow dancers on a different level, and I also got a wonderful opportunity to work with a phenomenal choreographer. Apart from all the excitement related to our piece, we also had opportunity to see the American Ballet Theater’s studio company perform, and to get to know them, and how life is for young dancers in a major company.

“I will never forget how they inspired me,” Miss Anderson says. “Every time I put on a pair of pointe shoes, I remember how I felt watching the dancers, and how much love I have for dance. I always knew that I wanted to be a great dancer, but if I could go on stage just once and make someone feel like I felt that day, I would be truly fulfilled.”

She also pays tribute to the NDFB for the award which has made all of this possible.

“Without the Patricia Calnan Commemorative Award, my family and I would not have been able to pay for school this year, and therefore all of these great opportunities would have been missed. I am truly, truly grateful for everything I have received.”

Sierra-Renae Robinson, who is completing her sophomore year at The University of the Arts in Philadelphia, is also very grateful for the L. John Profit commemorative award sponsored by BF&M.

“The past year has been challenging, but the knowledge I have gained is preparing me for the rest of my life,” she says. “I have dedicated myself to my academics and dance wholeheartedly.”

Miss Robinson successfully auditioned and was selected for two student compositions and two ensemble pieces — the experience of performing each of which she describes as “thrilling”.

The student dancer is also delighted with the level of instruction she has received, and the contributions of those who have contributed so much to her artistic development.

“I have had wonderful professors at the University of the Arts and studying under them has been dynamic, interesting and diverse, and I feel extremely privileged to have been given an opportunity to study under these exceptional individuals,” she says.

Soon Miss Robinson will perform with experienced professional dancers in Zane Booker’s company, ‘Smoke, Lilies & Jade’, and if all goes well she will be one of the students attending an exchange programme in Brazil for the school year 2007-08 on which the University of the Arts is currently working.

Like her fellow awardees, Miss Robinson is extremely grateful for the financial assistance the award has brought, which has allowed her to pursue her goals.

“As anyone in university knows, the cost of fees, books and materials, dance attire and living expenses are daunting. Without a doubt, the award has proved extremely valuable for me, helping to reduce the financial burden of pursuing my degree in Dance Education,” she says.

Jacqueline Mayor is working towards her teaching qualification at the National Ballet School of Canada.

“In my final year of the teacher training programme at the National Ballet School I have been given opportunities to put both my teaching and choreographing skills into practice,” she says.

“On the teaching side, I was offered a part-time position last Fall at the Academy of Film and Performing Arts in Burlington, Canada. I have four classes a week, and teach the British Association of Teachers of Dancing (BATD) syllabi from Grade 4 to Intermediate level. I prepared the students for their ballet exams in February, and I am pleased to report that all of my students passed with a status of ‘Highly Commended’.

The studio director also gave Miss Mayor an opportunity to teach an all-male teenage class, which has proved quite an experience.

“While these boys had dance experience, none had ever taken ballet before,” she says.

“At the beginning, this class was more challenging than all my other classes combined. The boys were embarrassed and unimpressed with ballet, so I have had to approach the class very differently. In particular, I have had to demonstrate why ballet skills are important to any type of dance, and I have also had to show them that they can still be masculine while doing ballet — a challenge for all adolescent boys.”

The good news is that Miss Mayor have seen changes in her students’ behaviour and attitude towards the art form, although she says, “I have a feeling they would deny all of this.”

In terms of her training, Miss Mayor has nothing but praise for the opportunities the Madame Ana Roje Commemorative Award has provided.

“I am so grateful that I have had this experience thus far. As Bermuda is an international business centre, it is not surprising that most of the scholarships are for business, actuarial or insurance programmes, so it is extremely gratifying to see evidence that donors also understand the importance of the development of art forms.”