National Dance Foundation Scholarship Winners
National Dance Foundation of Bermuda announced the recipients of scholarships established by Academy Award and Tony Award winning actress Catherine Zeta-Jones for attendance at next year’s DanceBermuda summer intensive.
The awards were made at the end of the DanceBermuda workshop production yesterday [Aug.19] in front of a sold-out audience at the Jessie Vesey Centre of The Bermuda High School for Girls who gave a standing ovation to the 50 dancers who attended the three-week intensive. The 2011 DanceBermuda programme marks the seventh year Miss Zeta-Jones’ scholarships have been granted.
As Ms Zeta-Jones is currently filming the upcoming movie of the hit Broadway musical Rock of Ages, three students were presented with the scholarships by Vice Chairman of the National Dance Foundation of Bermuda Brian O’Hara.
Mr. O’Hara noted that the students were chosen not only for their facility in dance but also for their positive and committed attitude during three weeks of classes with faculty from world-renowned American Ballet Theatre.
From the Pink level of the Young Dancer’s programme at DanceBermuda, a Catherine Zeta-Jones award was given to Olivia Taylor, age 10, and a student of the Somerset School of Mr. O’Hara said the DanceBermuda faculty commended Olivia as “an exceptionally hard-working student gifted with a natural, elegant port de bras and balletic style. She is extraordinarily expressive.”
The student awarded a Catherine Zeta-Jones scholarship from the Purple level of the Young Dancer’s Programme was Mikayla Wilson, age 12, and a student of In Motion School of Dance. Mr. O’Hara said DanceBermuda faculty felt that “Mikayla is gifted with long, beautiful lines and an innate sense of presentation in her class work. She is always ready to receive information and demonstrates that she absorbs all feedback given to her. Her work ethic makes her a joy to have in class.”
The student awarded a Catherine Zeta-Jones scholarship in the Upper Division of DanceBermuda was Fredrika Hill, age 17 and a student of the Somerset School of Dancing. Mr. O’Hara noted that DanceBermuda faculty said that “it is clear that Fredrika embraces all forms of dance.”
“She exhibits a strong work ethic and shows a clear understanding of the importance of each of the individual dance techniques and how they can serve and inform one another. Fredrika has a wonderful sense of well-focused concentration which is embodied in her positive attitude and effort in her class work. Her one hundred percent involvement in her work makes her a joy to teach and a great example for her classmates to look up to.”
