campus at Cincinnati University, her first reaction was, "Oh no, not another one!'' As one of the top three voice teachers in the US and a revered name in the world of international opera, Ms Honn has become fairly impervious to claims of potential talent.

But, she admitted, "when I finally heard her sing at the Conservatory, I found myself wishing we had got together six months earlier! She has an exceptional, world-class talent that's going to put Bermuda on the musical map. I can assure you that she has a far greater talent than Bermuda has ever had or is likely to have again.'' That basic talent, says Ms Honn, embraces more than the fine quality of her voice: "She has a quality that only about ten percent of singers possess -- and that is her exciting communicative quality. You can't teach people that.

The moment the curtain goes up, people are captivated by her.'' Ms Honn was referring to Bermudian soprano, Marcelle Clamens, who has already covered herself in academic as well as musical glory during her first year at Cincinnati University.

The former Bank of Bermuda secretary and mother of three not only maintained the mandatory 3.2 grade out of a 4-point system, but she also made the Dean's List, scoring 3.8 and above for the entire year. She also won the coveted Franklin Banz/Gorno Scholarship Award.

Besides the intense concentration on music, she also studies languages so that she can cope with repertoires in Italian, French and German. Next year, she may add Russian to the list.

Last week, the teacher who had just included Pavarotti and a list of other stellar names in her annual series of workshops in Israel, flew to Bermuda.

The fact that she came here for the express purpose of giving Mrs. Clamens a week of private master classes is a measure of Ms Honn's faith in her pupil's future.

For Marcelle Clamens, it was a thrilling vindication of what had been, just a year before, the personally earth-shaking decision to take the first major move in pursuing a career as a professional singer.

She is the first to admit that none of this could have happened without help.

She names husband Michael as the most important in an impressive list of people who, from the very start, have worked quietly behind the scenes to ensure that Marcelle Clamens was able to pursue her dream.

"He's made great financial sacrifices and has looked after our children while I've been away. But he believes that if you're going to do something, you have to do it with your heart and soul. He paid for my first lessons here and then he realised that I needed more than that.'' When she sang the solo soprano role in Verdi's Requiem for the Bermuda Philharmonic in 1990, Bermuda realised that it had an unusually exciting voice in its midst. This was confirmed when she appeared in concert with pianist Jane Farge at City Hall.

It was shortly after this that the story of Marcelle Clamens began to take on the quality of a fairy tale.

Mr. Norman Noble was among the first to recognise his former secretary's exceptional gift. Thanks to his efforts, a nucleus of individuals and a sprinkling of Bermuda's `blue-chip' companies formed a special fund, the M.G.C. Music Training Fund.

With her husband, she travelled to New York and went to see renowned pianist Warren Jones. This was a fortuitous meeting as he immediately realised that her raw talent needed careful nurturing, preferably in an academic setting that would not only develop her voice, but all the complementary skills that are required in the cut-throat world of international music.

Initially, the M.G.C. Fund had paid for lessons in Bermuda but when the idea of university was floated, Mrs. Clamens found warm support.

"Some very famous people in the music industry had identified Marcelle as having a very great potential and the Conservatory at Cincinnati was mentioned as being one of the very best places that would cater to her needs,'' said Mr.

Noble.

"It was a big decision for her to leave her family. As administrator of the Fund, I was also very aware that Marcelle was a major contributor to the family income and that we would have to provide some sort of financial balance that would ease that position.'' Ms Honn is well aware of the sacrifices that Mrs. Clamens has had to make: "I think that, intuitively, Marcelle has always been aware of that! It's hard to step out of a life that is happy and settled. But when you have her kind of talent, I think there's an even worse price to be paid if you choose to ignore it.'' Ms Honn said that, normally, she likes to work with a singer for about ten years, but was certain that this would not be necessary in her pupil's case.

"She works harder than any singer I have ever worked with -- so I'm very excited about what is going to happen in the next year or so. I like having her around because I like to hear her sing!'' Coming from Barbara Honn, this is high praise indeed.

In her own singing career she performed in the great opera houses of America and Europe, including Italy, Switzerland, Germany, Austria and Holland.

"I sang a lot of opera -- Strauss, Wagner, Verdi, Puccini -- I sang just about everybody who died at the end!'' On television, she has sung Don Giovanni and Tosca, and a series of Janacek works for German TV.

"But teaching is still my first love,'' she laughed, adding that there is something "very rewarding'' when a pupil scores a big success: "When someone you have taught gets a standing ovation, it makes you cry. When you're no longer on the stage, you share that person's excitement and success.'' Mrs. Clamens confirmed this aspect of her teacher's character: "There's no doubt that she's the singer's choice. When I'm having a lesson, she'll get a call from someone saying she's just won a role at the Met or at the San Francisco Opera. She is so warm, and takes such a personal interest. She is just the sort of person I would like to be like, when I begin to teach.'' For eventually, Mrs. Clamens' aim is to return to Bermuda and pass on her knowledge to other young singers.

According to Ms Honn, this may take a while.

"Most singers today concentrate on opera. But Marcelle can sustain an entire evening by herself in recital. This is unusual, because however good the singer, very few have the personality to carry them through an entire solo concert. I can only think of three of four singers in the US today whom I would bother to buy a ticket to listen to them in recital. Marcelle is of the same standard.'' Now, she said, it is a question of building up her pupil's confidence: "Now that she's made the Dean's List, I want her to get on with the music. That's the important thing now! I want her to develop her voice and for that to take precedence over everything else. Impressarios don't care about the Dean's List -- all they care about is whether you can sing or not. I haven't encouraged performance classes yet. I want the voice to be perfect first.'' Elbow Beach Hotel has pitched in to help by providing free accommodation for Ms Honn: "They have been wonderful,'' she said, "they know I'm working here so when I leave in the mornings for the Dunbarton School, the doorman says `don't work her too hard!'' Mr. David Kneisler is taking over as administrator of the Fund. Mr. Noble is stepping down after three years and said he is confident that his colleague will continue the momentum -- and also find new sponsors.

"This is very important,'' he said. "Everyone has been very generous indeed.'' Mr. Kneisler agreed, adding that there was a good cross-section of support from the entire community: "We have a core of supporters but we still have to find funds for the next three years or so, so we're hoping that others will be inspired to help this exceptionally fine talent.'' Barbara Honn said, "Marcelle has come through a very difficult year with determination, grace and charm. She suffered a lot, and never complained once.

Bermuda has every right to be proud of her. And,'' she added, with just a hint of Wagnerian expansiveness: "I have singers who sing all over the world. So what I have been saying about Marcelle is not just a P.R. ploy! Sometimes, when she sings, I have to be careful not to let my feelings show on my face.

She is going to be a great artist.'' MARCELLE'S TRIO -- Pictured with Bermudian soprano Marcelle Clamens (centre) are three of the people who are helping her pursue her singing career. Mr.

David Kneisler (left) has just taken over as administrator of the MGC Music Training Fund which was formed three years ago by Mr. Norman Noble (centre front). At right is renowned voice teacher Ms Barbara Honn who flew to Bermuda to give her pupil a week's private tuition.

WORLD CLASS TALENT - Bermudian soprano Mrs. Marcelle Clamens.