about our classes - scottish country dancing

Intermediate Scottish Country

This class is for those dancers who have already experienced Scottish country dancing and would now like to continue at a higher level. If you have been dancing regularly for a term or more and feel you are coping well, then we strongly recommend that you consider progressing to the Intermediate Scottish Country Dance class. It's not really that scary, honest! And you'll learn lots of unusual figures that you'd never do in Beginners', as well as really important things like phrasing and covering, which you'll need if you want to perform (e.g. at international dance festivals abroad).

If you are unsure whether you are at an appropriate level to join the Intermediate class, please contact the Intermediates teacher, or speak to your current class teacher.

Taught by Linda Garside.

 

Performance/trip class

If you have already attended Intermediates before and: - Will be dancing at the festival in Serbia - Want to take part in NS dems and help the society - Have taken part in NS dems and want to improve - Are interested in dancing confidently in front of an audience - Would like to look cool in front of an audience - Want to dance better and improve your technique - Feel that dancing Scottish country on Tuesdays is a way of life Then this class is for you! It should give you enough confidence to deal with dancing publicly and do it well. Please note that this class is open to non-festival goers as well! By now you surely know that the dems NS organises help fund the society (apart from being great fun and sometimes involve food) and that directly benefits all the members! And if you are not sure if the class is for you, come there on Tuesday and talk to committee or the teachers!

 

Dem Class

This is an Advanced level class for people who have reached a level higher than Intermediates. It is aimed at perfecting technique and runs at competition level standard. This class is appropriate for those who have been taught to an Advanced level, and those who are currently being taught at Intermediate level (e.g. attending our Intermediate Class) but feel they are ready to advance to a higher level.

Attendance at Demonstration Class is by invitation only. Please speak to your current dance class teacher or contact us at nscds@ed.ac.uk if you are interested in the class. We are always keen to hear from anyone of an appropriate standard who would like to join.

Taught by Jimmie Hill.

 

Extended social

Social Dancing is the highlight of the week, and everyone is invited (even if you only started dancing an hour before!). The whole society gets together and has a great time trying all kinds of Scottish country dances and ceilidh dances. (And afterwards we go to McEwan's in South Clerk Street to quench our thirst!)

Extended social is two and a half times the fun!

Organised by Jen Wood.

 

Scottish Country Beginners

Think you're getting the hang of ceilidh dancing and want to do more? Want to be able to go to a real Scottish ball and dance? Then Beginners Scottish Country Dance class is for you!

This class is for anyone who would like to try their hand at Scottish Country Dancing, an extremely popular, fun social dance form. The emphasis is firmly on having fun and learning the figures which make up all Scottish Country Dances, enabling you quickly to master any new dance you may come across at dances and black tie balls from Edinburgh to Aberdeen.

If you are a beginner and you can only make one class a week, this is the class to go to!!

No dancing experience is necessary for this class.

Taught by Neil Wignall.

 

Social Dancing

Social Dancing is the highlight of the week, and everyone is invited (even if you only started dancing an hour before!). The whole society gets together and has a great time trying all kinds of Scottish country dances and ceilidh dances. (And afterwards we go to McEwan's in South Clerk Street to quench our thirst!)

Organised by Jen Wood.

 

about our classes - ceilidh, highland & step

Beginners Step

Scottish step dancing is a traditional Scottish form of hard-shoe dancing which can be danced solo, or in a small 'set' where steps in slow (Strathspey) and quick (reel and jig) time are combined with simple dance patterns such as reels of three or four and 'birrling'.

This class is suitable for complete beginners, so if you fancy having a go at Scottish Step Dancing, do come along! For more information on Scottish Step Dancing visit our About Scottish Step Dancing page.

Hard soled shoes with a small heel (e.g. Ghillie Brogues) are ideal footwear.

Taught by Fiona Campbell.

 

Intermediate Step

This class includes people with a range of step dance experience - from a year or so upwards. The class includes learning new steps, practicing at 'Cape Breton speed', and concentrates on learning routines which can be used in displays.

If you have some experience of Scottish Step Dancing and would like to practice, learn more, or have an opportunity to dance in displays with a friendly team, please come along!

Taught by Fiona Campbell.

 

Ceilidh Class

Ideal for anyone who would like to learn how to do the dances you see at all the ceilidhs -- Gay Gordons, Strip the Willow, Eightsome Reel and more. Ceilidh dancing is Scottish dancing for everyone!

No dancing experience is necessary for this class.

The class is taught by rotating teachers, so there will be lots of different styles and plenty of new tricks ;-)

Coordinated by Johann Bryant.

 

Beginners Highland

Heard of the Highland Fling or the Sword Dance and wondered what they were? Think you've got the hang of ceilidh dancing and want to try something different? Then Highland Dancing is for you!

This is where you can learn to dance the Sword Dance and the Highland Fling (the dances they always show people doing on shortbread tins - arms in the air, leaping about over swords - that sort of thing - VERY Scottish!).

No dancing experience is necessary for this class and you'll be amazed how much you'll learn even in just one year!

Taught by Seonaid Anderson.

 

Intermediate Highland

This class is for anyone who has done a year or more of Highland dancing. The class usually consists of a mix of abilities including people who have moved up after a year at our Beginners' Highland Dance class, people who moved up a few years ago and are still in Edinburgh, people who have done it before and want to have another go, and competition dancers who are unable to attend their normal classes while in Edinburgh.

Taught by Marina Sharp.

 

Mixed Highland

This is a unified class used in the third term, combining the previous two.