Elementary

If you are relatively new to Scottish Country Dancing, or have yet to master footwork and formations and successfully bring them together in a dance, this is the class for you. Ideally you will have been dancing in a group for at least a year.

You should be familiar with skip change, pas de basque (setting) and slip steps in reel and jig time, and with strathspey travelling and setting steps.

You should also be comfortable with movements such as (but not limited to): Hands across, Rights and Lefts and Figure of eight.

Your teacher will build your confidence and understanding of steps and common formations, and will also focus on dancing well as part of a team, such as the use of hands, phrasing, and eye contact.

Intermediate

This class is designed for dancers who are already familiar with basic steps and formations in Scottish Country Dancing and who have previously attended an Elementary class, or have been dancing regularly for at least two years.

You should already be able to dance many of the formations listed in the RSCDS Manual such as (but not limited to) Allemande, Promenade and Ladies chain. You should also be able to dance your steps, maintain your phrasing, handing and technique to a reasonable standard for the duration of the lesson.

Your teacher will focus on improving your footwork in reel, jig and strathspey time, and further developing your technique (including posture, use of hands and team awareness). You will also be introduced to some more demanding formations and dances in which you can apply your new-found skills and become a more confident dancer.

You may also be invited to join dancers helping in the examination class – an opportunity which is both rewarding and informative.

Remember that the number of years you have been dancing, by itself, does not make you ready to step up to an advanced class. If you are still unsure about the correct way to dance some formations, or you are hesitant to take the floor for dances that are not familiar to you, then you will learn a lot from the Intermediate Class and find it informative, challenging, and fun.

Advanced

If you are a confident dancer, capable of dancing most steps and formations well without relying on prompts from others, you will enjoy this class.

Your teacher will elevate your dancing to a higher standard, focussing on your footwork, rhythm, phrasing and overall technique. You should be open to friendly, constructive critique of your dancing. You will learn dances in which you can demonstrate your technique as well as more complex ones that challenge your brain.

This is a physically demanding class, and you will need to be able to sustain a high level of performance throughout class sessions.

You may also be invited to help out in the examination class – an opportunity which is both rewarding and informative.

JAMs

JAM (Junior Associate Member) classes give you the opportunity to dance, learn a lot, and have some serious fun with dancers close to your own age. We are aiming to hold both Junior JAM (ages 8-12) and Senior JAM (ages 13-18) classes.

JAM classes cover all the things that make a good dancer, including understanding the rhythm and timing of music, and posture, footwork, and use of hands. You will also learn and practise what’s important in dancing as part of a team; things like covering and eye contact with your partner.

Your teacher will help you to improve your travelling and setting steps in reel, jig and strathspey time. You will also learn new formations, and be introduced to new dances in which you can have fun combining and practising your new-found skills.

You may also be invited to help out in the examination class – an opportunity which is both rewarding and informative.

Very Advanced – High Impact

This class is for dancers who are highly skilled in all aspects of Scottish Country Dancing, and who wish to be challenged further in their dancing.

You currently dance with excellent footwork and phrasing, understand (and dance correctly) reel, jig and strathspey time, and have a high level of team awareness. You can dance all commonly danced formations without a walkthrough or additional coaching, and have a good knowledge of more complex formations, for example (but not limited to), the tournee, bourrell, and set-and-link and knot for three couples.

Your teacher will work to improve your already accomplished dancing so you should be prepared to accept constructive critique, and be expected to master unusual and complex dances.

This is a high impact and physically demanding class that requires you to be physically fit and able to sustain high performance for the duration of each class.

Very Advanced – Low Impact

If you no longer wish the physical intensity of high impact dancing, but are still looking for a challenge in your dancing, this is the class for you.

You should have previously danced to the standard expected of the Very Advanced – High Impact class, and have a detailed understanding of the phrasing, social and technical elements of Scottish country dancing. You should also have a thorough knowledge of all steps and formations, and be able to dance them well without prompting.

You may also be invited to help out in the examination class – an opportunity which is both rewarding and informative.

Social Dancing

This class is for dancers who prefer relaxed, social dancing that is not too physically demanding. You will dance new dances, and develop skills that improve your overall enjoyment of dancing. The class may also include walking dances, with focus on rhythmic movement and appreciation of the music. You should have a good knowledge of commonly-danced formations and be able to dance or walk them with confidence.

Musicians’ Class

( Check wording below with Keith/Jason)

Here’s your opportunity to learn from, and play alongside, overseas and New Zealand musicians with a wealth of experience in providing music for Scottish Country Dancing. You do not have to be a dancer to attend this course, and musicians who are new to SCD music are especially welcome.

The class will explore – in theory and practice – several aspects of playing music for Scottish Country Dancing. You will learn what musical elements make tunes sound Scottish, what makes a good reel, jig or strathspey, and how to arrange tunes to fit dances. You’ll also experience playing for dancers at one of the School’s evening functions.

Bring your own instrument. SCD bands typically include combinations of fiddle, piano/keyboard, accordion, flute/recorder, and/or bass. However, most instruments are welcome. If you are unsure if your instrument will suit the class, please contact the Organiser.

Teachers’ Certificate Examination Class

This is a Unit 5 class, with provision for resitting Unit 3 also available if required.
If you intend to take this class, please contact education@dancescottish.org.nz to ensure you are included in the Branch application for the exam.
Your Unit 4 submission must be/have been made by 2 July 2027.

Check above info