In 2012, Danette鈥檚 Dance started the non-profit Love To Perform Theatre Arts and together with Doreen Bell, the surviving wife of the late Dan Bell - a long time Comox Valley resident and avid supporter of the arts - founded the Dan Bell for Youth Music and Performing Arts Scholarship.

The scholarship is funded and supported by patrons of Love to Perform Theatre Arts productions and residents of the Comox Valley.

It was in 2016 that the scholarship was first able to contribute to the artistic schooling of Valley residents to pursue their dreams in the arts.

To date, two young performers have received scholarships out of the fund.

鈥淚 chose to study the performing arts because I love to evoke emotions in others and make people think. For me, performing has been a way to fully express myself,鈥� said Avry Payne, the 2016 recipient. Payne is currently attending the Canadian College of Performing Arts located in Victoria.

鈥淚 would like to thank Doreen Bell and the Dan Bell memorial scholarship. I would also like to thank all the people who have donated to the scholarship鈥� said Owen Wilson, the 2017 recipient. Wilson began attending the National Circus School in Montreal earlier this month.

鈥淭his scholarship was created to support the talented young performers of the future. The young people who right now are just finding their love of the arts,鈥� said Danette Bell, founder of Love to Perform Theatre Arts and loving daughter of Dan Bell.