Bermuda may not be well-known for producing famous dancing and acting talent but that could soon change thanks to a broadening of horizons and experience at CedarBridge Academy.

Two former professionals now teaching at the school are passing on their experience of what it takes to make it in the entertainment world and actually opening doors in the US and Canada for ambitious students.

The Island's isolated geographical position means many young people are not exposed to the possibilities of a full-time career in the arts and this has been compounded in the past by a lack of opportunity to study dramatic arts to any significant level within Bermuda.

But dance teacher Joanna Powell and theatre and drama tutor Shelley Mckinnon-Burgess are changing things at CedarBridge.

"When I got here I found it very problematic because there was no real training programme in the schools," said New York-born Ms Powell.

"This dance department had not done any performances here, so it was bleak as far as showing what the students had learned."

That all changed when Ms Powell linked up with drama tutor Ms Mckinnon-Burgess, who has an adjoining studio at the school, and arranged to give their students a chance of performing before audiences in the Ruth Seaton James Centre at the school.

Students have also been given the opportunity to visit New York and Toronto to go on tours of theatres, visit respected drama and dancing schools and participate in master classes with working professionals.

Back at CedarBridge there have also been the occasional visit from guest professionals to meet the students

Ms Powell's background includes performing modern dance and running her own dance company in North America. She has also choreographed in California and Europe. She has drawn from her own experience to pass on advice and direction to her students.

The same is true for drama tutor Ms Mckinnon-Burgess, who worked as a professional actress before coming to CedarBridge five years ago.

She said putting on a production for the students was dependent on having a teacher willing to put in the extra time as there is no theatrical school on the Island.

"That makes things very challenging. One of my goals was to foster the love of theatre and drama," she explained.

With no formal qualifications to pursue, drama and dancing have previously been sidelined in Bermuda's school curriculum. Now, as well as the joint dance and drama shows with Ms Powell's dancers, Ms Mckinon-Burgess has organised drama competitions for all the the Island's high schools and also guided students in amateur productions on Island.

As a result of one educational trip to New York a drama student is now hoping to enrol at the Academy of Dramatic Arts in Hollywood having visited the New York branch. "Even when the students leave the school we continue to give them information and advice. Because we were professionals we can tell the students how to prepare audition pieces and what to do and that lends credibility to our students when they take part in auditions."

Ms Mckinnon-Burgess has also set up an International Thespian Society on Island open to students and others who want to improve their drama skills and gain certifiable recognition that adds "clout" to their CV resume when they seek employment in the entertainment industry.

If everything goes to plan Ms Mckinnon-Burgess intends to open a drama school this summer with a view to putting on professional shows, and also having drama camps.

The students are full or praise for the efforts of the two teachers in opening their eyes to new possibilities and wider horizons.

Juanee Scott, 18, said: "I would like to make a career at this. I plan to do a year at Bermuda College and then go to New York or Los Angeles. If I did not have the encouragement from Ms Mckinnon-Burgess I would not have been prepared to go into it."

Zawditu Maryam, 17, a theatre technician and acting student said: "I've been given the inspiration to be a director or a critic. I've been sitting in on classes to get extra knowledge. I've been to New York and Toronto and it has helped me because it has exposed me to to the different types of theatre out there and on Broadway.

"Ms Mckinnon-Burgess has exposed me to the fact that it is not going to be easy. If we are going to do this we are going to have to be strong and accept positive and negative feedback."

Fellow drama student Paul Spring, 17, has hopes of continuing his studies in Toronto. He said: "I've learned to expect the unexpected and not to try to hold back in life and take risks. I used to be a very quiet person, Ms Mckinnon-Burgess got me out my shell. I want to be the first Bermudian to win an Oscar."

The students are currently rehearsing for a dance and acting collaboration show entitled Broadway Cafe in May, set in 1930s New York, which will be performed to a public audience in the Ruth Seaton James Centre before the summer.