In Highland dancing, there are set dances a student must learn and perfect, rather than constantly learning new choreographies. Highland dance focuses on traditional dances that date back hundreds of years. Everyone from beginners to world champions spend time working each week on the same dances, with the emphasis being on perfecting technique, control, and movements, while constantly improving their stamina and endurance. In addition, students at our studio will have the opportunity to learn the occasional group or solo choreography to perform at shows.
Highland dance is competitive-focused, however competing is not required at our studios. There are four main competitive Highland dances, the Fling, Sword, Seann Triubhas, and Reel; and are the four required dances at a Highland dance championship competition. There are national dances that are commonly performed in appropriate Highland or national outfit, as well as character dances that use more expressive movements with a themed outfit. Dancers may also occasionally perform Highland choreographies made up by the teacher and dancer for performances or scholarship competitions, danced in any appropriate outfit.
Here is a list of the competitive dances taught at our studio.
THE HIGHLAND DANCES
Pas de Basques
Pas de Basques and High cuts
Highland Fling
Sword Dance (Ghillie Callum)
Seann Triubhas (Old Trousers)
Hullachan
Strathspey and Highland Reel
See Alsoscotlandsmusic.comStrathspey and Half Tulloch
THE NATIONAL DANCES
Scottish Lilt
Flora MacDonald's Fancy
Wilt thou go to the barracks, Johnny?
Highland Laddie
Blue Bonnets
Village Maid
Scotch Measure
Earl of Errol
CHARACTER DANCES
Irish Jig
Sailor’s Hornpipe
Each dance has a variety of possible steps to choose from, with each dance including around four to six steps. Generally, you will see dancers performing many different steps while together on the same stage. There are many other Highland dances such as the Cakewalk and The Dusty Miller, however they are only rarely performed at scholarship competitions or for performances.
