Competitions

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Highland Dance Competitions

While not required, many dancers choose to compete at ScotDance USA events.

ScotDance USA is the official U.S. affiliated organization of the Royal Scottish Official Board of Highland Dancing (RSOBHD), the worldwide governing body of Highland dance. Katherine holds Member credentials with the British Association of Teachers of Dancing (B.A.T.D.), enabling her students to fully participate in B.A.T.D. and ScotDance USA events…and to take advantage of opportunities worldwide!

Core to its mission, Highland Dance Vermont seeks to train dancers and aspiring dancers in traditional Scottish technique.

We emphasize professionalism, credentials, and knowledgeability in our instruction of Highland dance so that:

• Our studio follows the same policies and our teachers meet the same standards as every other ScotDance USA-recognized instructor.

• Our dancers are learning the most current and accurate technique from highly-qualified instructors.

• They can get on stage anywhere in the world with confidence…because they were taught to a globally-recognized standard.

• Our dancers have every opportunity in the Scottish highland dance community available to them, from competition, to exams, to performance, and more.

Many dancers find competition an exciting opportunity to travel, meet other dancers, and make friends. Dancers must achieve certain competencies in order to compete, and instructor permission is required. If you would like to learn more about competing, contact Katherine.

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Competitive Events

In partnership with local Scottish cultural organizations and other New England dance schools, Highland Dance Vermont hosts two competitions each year: Vermont Highland Games in June and the Vermont Indoor Competition in November.

You can also learn more about recent competitions Highland Dance Vermont dancers have competed in on our News page.

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BATD Medal Testing

In addition to dance competition preparation, Highland Dance Vermont offers preparation for British Association of Teachers of Dancing (B.A.T.D.) medal and theory examinations.

Students ages 18 and under who do exceptionally well on their exams may be nominated by their examiner for the North American Sadie Simpson Highland Scholarships. The scholarships are held in a different North American city each year. Around 50 nominees opt to attend and compete in a special scholarship competition, including a solo choreography, technical master class, writing a dance theory paper, and performing the Sadie Simpson Tribute Dance. In addition to the competition, the weekend event includes classes, seminars, workshops, and social events for participants.

Interested dancers should contact Katherine to learn more about B.A.T.D. exams.