Seven Dancers Earn Foundation Scholarships
Zh’Ky Johnson Tuzo, Ava-Joy Moreno, Skye Minors, Vidya Cannonier Watson, Penelope Barker, Soleil Richardson and Aura Doran all earned scholarships from the National Dance Foundation of Bermuda.
A spokesperson said, “The National Dance Foundation of Bermuda [NDFB] celebrated the island’s brightest dance talent at its 2026 Awards Presentation, awarding more than $50,000 in scholarships, bursaries and professional development grants to seven exceptional young dancers pursuing careers in the performing arts.
“Since its establishment in 2005, the Foundation has awarded more than $1 million in scholarships and grants, helping Bermudian dancers, teachers and choreographers access world-class training while strengthening the future of dance in Bermuda. Today, an impressive 95% of past recipients remain active in the dance industry as performers, choreographers, educators, directors and arts professionals around the world. The National Dance Foundation of Bermuda became a Fund held by the Bermuda Foundation in 2016. 100% of donations support the development of Bermuda’s most promising dancers and dance educators.
“This year’s recipients represent a wide range of talent and achievement.
Zh’Ky Johnson Tuzo, Ava-Joy Moreno, Skye Minors and Vidya Cannonier Watson [missing from photo are Penelope Barker, Soleil Richardson and Aura Doran]
“Soleil Richardson received the $4,000 Chubb Charitable Foundation Bermuda Bursary to support her final year at the Boston Conservatory. Having trained with internationally renowned artists, including Debbie Allen, Anthony Burrell and the Boston Celtics, Soleil hopes to return home one day to establish a dance studio that connects Bermudian dancers with global opportunities.
“Vidya Cannonier-Watson was awarded a $4,000 Professional Development Award in recognition of her continued success in ballet and contemporary dance. A graduate of The Tring School for the Performing Arts and the English National Ballet School’s Young Artist Development Program, Vidya has trained with leading ballet companies and recently impressed local audiences in Dancing Under the Stars. Vidya will start on the trainee program with London City Ballet in September.
“A second Professional Development Award of $6,000 was presented to Skye Minors, whose academic achievements include a Theatre Arts degree from Howard University. Skye will begin a Master’s degree in Dance and Choreography at Leeds Beckett University as she continues to develop as a performer, educator and choreographer.
“The Foundation also presented its four major scholarships. Penelope Rose Barker, 13, received the $7,500 Arch Scholarship awarded in honour of Madame Ana Roje after an outstanding year of classical ballet training, earning invitations to prestigious international summer intensives and accepting a place at Elite Classical Coaching in Texas as she pursues her dream of dancing with the Royal Ballet Company.
“The $7,500 Chubb Charitable Foundation Bermuda Scholarship awarded in honor of Mr. L. John Profit was presented to Aura Doran, who continues her training at I.D.A. International Dance Academy in Ontario, Canada. Aura has earned top honours in several competitions, been promoted to Corps de Ballet with IDA’s Italy Junior Company Tour and continues to excel both artistically and academically.
“The $10,000 Christian Humann Scholarship, awarded in honour of Mrs. Georgine Mary Russell Hill, was presented to Zh’ky Johnson Tuzo, who will begin studies at the Boston Conservatory at Berklee this fall. Recognized for his artistry, determination and passion for contemporary dance, Zh’ky hopes to use his education to inspire future generations of Bermudian dancers.
“Receiving the Foundation’s highest honour, the $15,000 Catherine Zeta-Jones Scholarship, awarded in honor of Patricia Calnan was Ava-Joy Moreno, who is pursuing a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance with a minor in Arts Management at Marymount Manhattan College. A previous NDFB bursary recipient, Ava-Joy continues to excel academically while embracing artistic and leadership opportunities in New York. She was also among the Bermudian professionals featured in the recent In the Space of Us production, which showcased the success of NDFB scholarship recipients.
“The Foundation expressed its sincere gratitude to the many donors and supporters whose generosity continues to provide life-changing opportunities for Bermuda’s young dancers. A special thank you was extended to donor guests Mrs. Faith Humann and Mr. Frank Peniston, Trustees of the Christian Humann Foundation; Dr. June Hill, who attended the ceremony in honour of her mother, Mrs. Georgine Mary Russell Hill; and Ms. Samantha Froud, Trustee of the Chubb Charitable Foundation – Bermuda. Special appreciation was also given to Brian O’Hara for his dedicated leadership and unwavering support of the NDFB Fund, as well as to the Bermuda Foundation, all donors, volunteers, families and the wider Bermuda community for their continued investment in the future of dance on the island.”
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