Stephanie
Goodwin
School of Dance
Highland Dance
Highland Dance is the traditional form of dance from Scotland that
has become vastly popular in Canada, Great Britain, the United
States, Australia, and New Zealand. Highland dance helps build
stamina, lower body strength, proper upper body alignment and
flexibility, while providing a fun method of physical activity.
Classes:
Beginner Classes
The Stephanie Goodwin School of Dance will be offering beginner highland dance classes for
students of all ages (2 to adult) beginning this September. The length of the class depends on
previous dance experience as well as age.
Classes for the year will be divided into 3 terms, one 12 week term, from September to
December, and two 10 week terms, from January to March and from April to June.
Class descriptions:
Ages 2-4: Tiny tots
Class duration: 45 minutes
The Tiny Tots class will focus on creative moment and basic movements required for highland
dance. In the first term we will focus on listening to the beat of the music and technique such as
pointing feet and turn out required for further dance development as well as basic positions
and movements used in highland dance.
In the second and third terms, we will continue our development of musical rhythm and begin
learning 3 of the basic highland dances used in dance exams, performances, and
competitions; 16 pas de basques, pas de basques and highcuts and the highland fling.
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Beginner Classes, cont.
Ages 5-8: Little Leapers
Class duration: 1 hour
The Little Leapers classes will focus on the technique required for highland dance and on
building stamina. In the first term dancers will learn the basic positions and movements required
for highland dancing and will also participate in games to help develop music interpretation skills
such as dancing on time to the music. The Little Leapers will then begin to learn two basic dances
that set the foundation for the more difficult dances learned in this class, 16 pas de basques and
pas de basques and high cuts.
In the second and third terms the Little Leapers will continue their development of highland
technique while solidifying the dances learned in term one and extending on their knowledge by
learning the highland fling and the ever popular sword dance.
Ages 9+: Beginner Highland
Class duration: 1 hour
The beginner highland class is designed for students ages 9 to adult. In the first term we will focus
on the basic positions of highland dance as well at the basic movements that make up each of the
dances. We will then learn two basic dances, 16 pas de basques and pas de basques and
highcuts, that lay the foundation for future dances. If time permits, dancers will begin to learn the
highland fling.
In the second and third terms the beginner highland dancers will continue their practice on the
two dances learned in term one and will begin to learn further dances, the highland fling and the
sword dance. The goal by the end of term three is to have completed the highland fling and
commenced the sword dance. But if time permits, dancers will finish the sword dance and begin
to learn a fourth dance.
Private Lessons
Private Lessons will also be available for dancers who would like to further their dancing.
Private lessons are generally used to catch up if a student is falling behind due to absence in
class or other circumstances, or to prepare for competitions if the student chooses to compete.
Private lessons may also be used to prepare for medal tests if they wish to participate in these.
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About the instructor
Stephanie Goodwin has been participating in highland dance since the tender age of three.
Stephanie began competing at age of four and reached the highest level of competitive
dancing at the age of eight. Stephanie has had the chance to compete both in the Canadian
championships and the World Highland Dance championships in Scotland during her
dancing career.
Stephanie has been part of the Amethyst Scottish Dancers of Nova Scotia, a dance troupe that
participates in many tattoos around the world as well as many local performances. Through
the Amethyst, Stephanie has also had the chance to learn step dancing, as well as
movements from Scottish country dancing..
Stephanie is currently part of two performing groups for highland dance; the RCMP “H”
division pipes, drums, and dancers, as well as the Celtic Sole Dance troupe.
Stephanie has participated in the Nova Scotia International Tattoo for 13 years and last year
had the chance to participate in the Festival International de Musique Militaire en Quebec.
Stephanie is a teacher with the Halifax Highland Dance Association and is certified through
the British Association of Teachers of Dance.
Outside of highland dance, Stephanie also participates in highland snare drumming and is
part of the RCMP “H” division pipe band. Stephanie is currently studying Biochemistry and
Molecular Biology at Dalhousie University in the hope of one day becoming a pediatric
oncologist.
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Fees
Fees for the Stephanie
Goodwin School of dance
are based on the length of
the class, and are due at the
beginning of each term.
Term 1
Sept 9-Dec 16 (13 classes)
Tiny Tots: $103
Little Leapers: $136.50
Beginner Highland: $136.50
Term 2
Jan 6- March 24 (11 classes)
Tiny Tots: $87
Little Leapers: $115.50
Beginner Highland: $115.50
Term 3
March 31-June 16
(10 classes)
Tiny Tots: $80
Little Leapers: $105
Beginner Highland: $105
Private Lessons
Private lessons are
available upon request and
recommended before
competitions.
Fee : $20/hour
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