As you are probably aware, having perused the rest of this site, I began taking Highland Dance lessons in late August, 1997. Since that time, I've been competing in Highland Dance competitions throughout the eastern United States and Canada. I've progressed from Beginner to Novice to Intermediate to Premier, as of January 2001. I am so excited to be competing in the ranks of the elite Highland dancers known as Premier [or Professional/Open] dancers, as awards in Premier are generally cash awards rather than stamps and medals. Even so, I primarily do Highland dancing because it is fun, it is an extremely intense aerobic workout, and it keeps me out of my husband's hair when he's in "competition mode" at the Highland Games!

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!

Until I'm back on my feet, here is a brief list of the dances that I have learned and use in competitions and shows when not crippled. *smirk* Eventually, when I have time, I will expand this page to include brief histories of these dances and other such information. For now, though, here you go:

The Dances
• The Highland Fling
• The Sword Dance [aka Ghillie Callum]
• The Seann Truibhas
• The Scottish Lilt
• Flora McDonald's Fancy
• The Strathspey and Highland Reel
• The Strathspey and Half-Tulloch
• The Hullachan
• The Irish Jig
• The Sailor's Hornpipe
• The Highland Laddie
• The Scotch Measure
• The Village Maid
• The Barracks Johnnie
• The Blue Bonnets
• The Earl of Errol

I also know parts of the Cakewalk, the Tribute to J.L. MacKenzie and various other "odd" or less-frequently-seen dances. I've also done a few choreographed broadswords, a double sword dance and several other choreographies, both in competition and in exhibition.

For competition, I currently wear a Dress McKellar kilt [white and maroon with grey, yellow and very dark green accents] with a black vest in Highland events and a royal blue vest with a blue/white plaid Aboyne skirt/plaid for National events. My jig dress is a red skirt with white apron that I wear with my nationals blouse and a green vest and green jig shoes. I also have a navy blue hornpipe suit.

I also have a hunting Campbell kilt [green, blue and black with white and yellow accents] that I wear on St. Patrick's Day and for other shows and occasions. The Campbell has been good to me, as it is the first kilt I wore in competition. And it has wonderful history. It is actually one of the kilts Harry wore as a youngster, and it is the same kilt he wore in the 7th grade when he won the EUSPBA Champion Supreme title in grade III snare drumming. In fall of 1999, I finally plunked down the money to get matching kilt socks in Hunting Campbell, so it appears I'm "stuck" with this kilt for a number more years. In truth, I really don't mind. =)

That's all for now. I'm adding more later, so check back!

Return to Dawn's Celtic Index.

Learn about Dawn's Other Dance Training.

Visit the site of the Columbia School of Highland Dance, designed and maintained by Dawn.