Ah, yes, Dancing. I am almost in my third decade of dance training. I have had 28 years of ballet and tap, 26 of jazz [and counting], 11 of pointe, and 4 of modern & improv (in college). Growing up, I was a member of the Competition group from my dance studio. We won regional and national awards many times. In college, I had the opportunity to study under a number of great guest teachers. The highlight of my dance career thus far was a master class I took with the world-renowned TWYLA THARP. During the course of the class, she singled me out of the crowd for praise on a particularly challenging combination. If I never dance again, I would be happy, knowing that an internationally recognized choreographer liked my dancing! After graduation, I kept dancing at my old dance studio with weekly classes. While I could probably TEACH these classes, I took them for enjoyment and for the physical benefits of dance. (Besides, it was cheaper than joining a gym!) To keep in shape and keep from losing my technique, I began jazz and ballet classes at the Carroll County Dance Center in January of 2001 and still study there sporadically.

Dance is an integral part of my life. As Havelock Ellis wrote in 1923, "Dancing is the loftiest, the most beautiful, the most moving of the arts because it is no mere translation or abstraction from life, it is life itself." That pretty much sums it up. Without dance and the performance experience, I would not be the outgoing and self-confident individual I am today. I learned much from the experience. Shy by nature [no! I really am!], I have no qualms about appearing or speaking in front of large groups. Timid and self-conscious at times, I can act as cool and collected as any situation demands. Oh yeah, and dancing is fun, too!

In addition to my "normal" dance training, I have a wide variety of "alternative" dance interests. I have given lectures and performed sacred dance for churches and community groups in four states. I've studied African and Hawaiian dance at the American College Dance Festival in 1995 & 1996. I am also interested in other ethnic and folk dance forms.

Since moving to Maryland in the spring of 1997, I have studied Highland dancing with Bonnie Wylie. I am registered with the Scottish Official Board of Highland Dancing and the Federation of United States Teachers and Adjudicators (SOBHD/FUSTA), and I have competed in sanctioned competitions since September 6, 1997, at the Ligonier Highland Games in Ligonier, PA. Since beginning Highland Dance, it was my goal to make Premier [Professional/Open] before I turned thirty. In January of 2001, I moved up to Premier at age 27 and have enjoyed this new level of competition ever since. I also plan to take the BATD Members' Exam in the next few years...and if I pass, I will be qualified to teach. I also perform Highland dancing in parades and at shows with the Columbia School and with pipe bands, the City of Washington Pipe Band, in which my husband is a snare drummer, and the Calvert and Crosslands Pipe Band, for which my husband is an instructor.

UPDATE - 5/2005: TRAGEDY! At the Colonial Highland Games in Fairhill, MD, I was minding my own business, competing in the 18+ Premier group when - KER-POW! I thought another competitor kicked their sword, but as I hit the stage in agony, I realized I had heard my achilles tendon, loudly bitching at me after nearly 30 years of abuse. Yup, it ruptured...completely detached it! So, after surgery and a month of no weight on it, I am now in a walking cast boot-like-thingy and hope to start rehab/PT in the next month or so. It is my right foot, so I can't drive until released from the boot [sometime in Fall per the Orthopedic Surgeon] and I won't be doing any dancing of any flavor until sometime next year...maybe. *Sigh* I guess I'd better start studying for the Members' exam. If I'm retiring from competition, I'm gonna need to do SOMETHING!

Learn more about Scottish Highland Dancing.

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