Highland Dancing Competitions

These events are either held as indoor events or as part of a Highland Games usually during the summer.  All events are listed on the Scotdance Canada website: http://www.scotdancecanada.ca/

There are 5 classes of competitors in highland dance competitions:

1. ✴Primary - dancers who are under 7 years old
   

2. ✴Beginner - dancers stay at this level until they have a 1st, 2nd or 3rd place at 6 different competitions, but for at least 6 months
   

3. ✴Novice - dancers stay at this level until they have a 1st, 2nd or 3rd place at 6 different competitions, but for at least 6 months
   

4. ✴Intermediate - dancers stay at this level for one year from the date of the first intermediate competition
   

5. ✴Premier - dancers at the highest level
   

There are age classifications in each group, so each dancer competes not only against dancers of a similar standard but also against dancers in their age group.

Dancers are judged on three basic areas:

1. ✴Timing - the ability of the dancer to follow the rhythm of the music in the dance. Dancers must place feet, arms and head in very precise positions simultaneously with the music.
   

2. ✴Technique, which concerns the dancer's footwork and the coordination of head, arms and hands. Good positioning of the feet is most important.
   

3. ✴General Deportment, which concerns the dancer's interpretation and ability to capture the spirit and motif of the dance and includes balance, overall appearance, bearing and carriage of the head, arms, body and hands. Upright posture is essential, and the dancers must exhibit a happy demeanor. Although the dances are very athletic, they must be danced with seeming ease, with no signs of strain and free of elaborate showiness.
   

Dancers can’t be judged by their teacher or family members.

Medal Tests:

The Scottish Dance Teacher’s Alliance (SDTA) sends an Examiner (usually from Scotland) to test the dancers on their ability to complete the requirements of particular exam levels.  New dances and/or steps are added to each progressive level and stronger technique is required to successfully complete examinations.  Upon successful completion of a medal test, dancers will receive a medal and certificate.  We award these during our December concert.  The examinations are usually held in March or April each year.  Although these tests aren’t mandatory, we encourage all dancers to participate in them.  The tests provide our students with goals and allow them to receive feedback from the examiner.  Notices about the tests will be sent out several weeks prior to the exam.

All tests except theory are demonstration based only.

Beginners may be encouraged to take one or more of the following tests:

Tiny Tots 1-5 (maximum of 3 tests per sitting)

Covers basic movements and positions

Preparatory

Demonstrate without music – spring points, high cuts, toe-heels, pas de basques, jumps in 1st position

Preliminary A

Demonstrate with music – pas de basques and High Cuts

Without music – Fling steps individually – 1st, toe-heel and last shedding

Preliminary B

Demonstrate with music – pas de basques and High Cuts

Without music – Sword steps individually – 1st step, Pointing step

Pre-Bronze Fling – 4 steps with music

Pre-Bronze Sword – 4 steps with music

As dancers become more experienced, they will then move onto the other levels.  Please consult your teacher to get details on the dances and steps.

For all tests except Tiny Tots, appropriate dancewear is required – kilt skirt, white blouse, knee socks (white) and highland dance shoes.  Hair should be neat and tied back (ideally up in a bun) if long.  No jewellery should be worn.

Information Sheets

Dancing Information Sheet -  Dancing Info.pdf

Registration Information - new students.pdf

Celtfest Registration Form - Celtfest 2010 Dance Competition Entry Form.pdf