Our Studio Guide to Success…
Dance Class Expectations
Communication
The Peace River Scottish Society will primarily use email to communicate all important club information to dancers and their families. We also have this webpage, and social media accounts where club news and events will be posted. For communication from the instructors, TEXT MESSAGES will be the primary means of communication. Please make sure your most up to date information is shared with both the instructors and the PRSS board.
What Will My Dancer Need?
Dancers will need a filled bottle of water
Dance shoes
Positive, Happy attitude to ensure they have a fun successful class
Dress Code
Dancers are required to wear the following to their classes.
Girls: Body suit or tight fitting t-shirt/tank top, tight shorts or skirt that is above the knees, knee high socks, Highland ghillies or ballet slippers (for wee tots or new dancers only)
Boys: Tight fitting t-shirt or tank top, shorts, knee high socks, highland ghillies or ballet slippers (for wee tots or new dancers only)
Hair: all hair needs to be tied back during class in a braid, pony tail, or bun.
Regular Groups /Classes:
Classes are held weekly, and groups are created with care to skill level, exam levels and age. Sometimes dancers may be asked to shift into a different group, but will always do so with notice and a discussion with the dancer and parent prior to the move.
Competitive/ Technique/ Choreography Classes:
These are extra classes that happen throughout the year. It is important to understand that these dancers need to have the skill level and dedication to be successful in these classes. If your dancer is interested in these classes, please reach out to have a discussion about them. Please Note: there is an extra cost associated with these classes.
Class Cancellation:
On occasion classes may be cancelled due to unforeseen circumstances. Texts and emails will be sent out to all parents prior and will be on our social media. If possible the missed class will be made up in the future. Please don’t assume if busses are cancelled in the morning there is no dance, wait until it is posted. We will do our best to make sure that parents have lots of notice of any cancellations.
Sickness: Our studio is small, which means germs carry quickly. If your dancer is sick please be respectful to fellow classmates and teachers and stay home. A parent/guardian should let Carey/Averi know if your dancer will be missing class.
Washroom Breaks
Our dancing program happens in the studio at Fitness on the Go. Therefore, we share facilities with the gym members. Whenever possible have your dancer use the bathroom prior to classes starting, this will help with the disruption of bathroom breaks both in class and for FOTG gym patrons. In our classes with our younger dancers, we have a student teacher to help with a bathroom break. If your child needs help in the bathroom, please let us know so we can support them with that.
Attendance:
Attendance at dance is mandatory and it is incredibly important that your dancer does not miss class. At each class, new techniques and skills are being taught. Preparation for exams or recital choreography is also apart of regular class time. If a dancer falls to far behind it is unfair to the dancer, teacher, and classmates, to pause class instruction to catch up dancers whose been absent. Attendance is taken in class. Dancers who miss too many classes (4+ classes) will risk being removed from special choreography, or may not be able to do certain examinations as they will be unprepared, unless the dancer puts in the effort to catch up on their own time! It is up to the parent (or dancer if they are of age) to show due diligence, and communicate with the teachers if they can arrange private classes or what alternatives they may be to catch up the dancer. This is at the teachers discretion, it is encouraged that the parents not wait until the last minute (4+ classes missed) before they start enquiring. Please Note: Private classes are an additional cost, as they are not in the set fee. Of course over the dance season we understand things will happen, illness, holidays etc.. We ask that parents are transparent and forward with absences when they occur. Classes are very important to the development of dancers and to improve they must attend class. Our goal is very everyone to be successful.
Practice:
All dancers are encouraged to practice their class work at home. Muscle development and memory as well as musicality in dancing (rhythm and timing) can be improved with repetitive practice. If you are unsure of what or how to support your dancer to practice please reach out to the instructors who can give you support with this.
Parents:
Our classes are held at Fitness on the Go, which is a separate business from our club. Parents are asked to not stay or gather in the boot room/gym entrance while classes are in session. Please only come to the entrance during drop off and pick up times, as it is mindful and respectful to the gym members.
Parents are welcome to come to gather their dancers when the studio door is open. But unless its an emergency please don’t come in and out of the studio during class times.
Special Events Throughout The Year…
St. Andrews Night:
St. Andrews Night is the informal fall showcase of our dance program . It is a potluck supper event organized by our PRSS Board for families to attend and is generally held at the end of November. St. Andrews Night is about connecting as a program, getting to know our new families and seeing what your dancer has been working on so far this dance season. St. Andrews Night is simple, dancers will be given their costume prior to the event or informed as to what they need to wear, and they will just come dressed and ready to dance. All dancers enrolled in the program dance in St. Andrews Night.
Dance Outs:
Throughout the year the club will be invited to community events, like trade shows, culture days and festivals. We also like to visit the senior residents and schools to showcase/demonstrate our dancing and promote our club. All dancers are invited to participate in dance outs. Parents will get information when one is coming up. They are a great opportunity to practice performance and build confidence of dancers without the pressure of a big show or competition.
Annual Recital :
Each spring our dance program holds a year end recital. The logistical details of recital is organized by the PRSS Board (who will ask all parents to help out) And the program/show portion is created by our instructors (Carey & Averi). The weeks leading up to recital will be filled with extra classes, dress rehearsals, run throughs and costume fittings. We also provide a dance supper for our dancers and teachers on a night leading up to recital. All important parts of putting together an amazing show. Please prepare for the extra classes that will go into the recital. All levels of dancers need to plan for extra classes the full two weeks in the evenings leading up to recital. It is very important that all dancers attend these extra practices. Families are encouraged to invite family and friends to the show, we also encourage/advertise the general public to attend. There is a small ticket fee for all spectators that is used to pay for the expenses associated with the show.
SDTA Medal Test Examinations:
MEDAL TESTING = Highland Dance Exams
The term dance exams sounds scarier then it really is! Medal testing is non-competitive, which means dancers as young as 3 years old get to show off their skills to a Scottish Examiner and get written feedback on what they’ve presented! This not only helps them improve, but it allows dancers to get corrects from a different set of eyes other than their teacher, and they get to work their way up through exams as they age, collecting medals - sent from Scotland as they go!
Medal Test Benefits:
Gives dancers a non-competitive opportunity to progress
Dancers receive valuable feedback on what they’re doing well and what they can improve on from experienced examiners
Moving up through levels challenges dancers to master new movements, steps and dances.
Dancers of all ages feel an immense sense of accomplishment mastering what’s needed for their test, executing it, and working their way up through the grades.
About the Scottish Dance Teachers Alliance:
Our club is apart of the Scottish Dance Teachers Alliance AKA “SDTA”. Both Carey and Averi have received their teaching certificates through the SDTA, so that’s the association for our exams.
There are two other recognized associations in highland dancing along with SDTA. These are - the British Association of Teachers of Dance “BATD” and the United Kingdom Alliance “UKA”. Each association has their own set of exams and syllabus.
How it Works
In Peace River we are fortunate enough to be part of the Winter SDTA exam tour. The examiner typically flies in from Scotland, tours through Alberta and sometimes British Columbia and Saskatchewan. Our exams have been in March for years but the specific date always varies and is usually known until the tour is officially set by the SDTA.
It’s important to know that exams can fall on a school day! Those in higher testing levels sometimes miss the full day due to the number of exams they are involved in. Those in lower testing levels can expect to be there for anywhere from 30-90 mins, as an estimate time!
The examiner will come to Peace River where we will host them for 1- 2 days. They evaluate the dancers, give them an overall grade, and then send the results back to Scotland, where they’ll start packaging up the awards to ship to us. We get the evaluation sheets right away before the examiner leaves, so those will be distributed to your dancer the next time they’re at the studio! This will contain all the feedback from the examiner and the overall grade they received on their tests.
Types of Exams
At PRSS, we pick & recommend exams for you. If you are new to exams, we pick these based on the dancers age, level and experience. Once dancers get started on the exam track, we just have them work their way up through the levels in order, and they become seasoned pros at it!
Dance Stars:
These are for our littles! Dancers age 3-6 years can do these tests. There are 6 Dance Star Levels (Dance Stars 1, 2 , 3…). Very age appropriate & straightforward! Tests the dance fundamentals like points, jumps, clapping to music. Dancer teachers are allowed to accompany dancers into their exams to guide them through the movements and make them feel comfortable. Dancers get to fill up a plaque with their Dance Star Awards they learn over the years! A great keepsake for their early years.
Highland Exams
There are multiple levels to work through. Examples of test names include: Preparatory, Preliminary, Pre-Bronze, Bronze, Pre-Silver, Silver, Gold, Scottish Award 1, 2, 3, … etc.. Tests include dances like Fling, Sword, Seann Truibhas & Reels. As dancers work through the grades, the test requirements get more challenging, requiring dancers to show steps they might not normally do, which is a great experience.
National Exams:
National exams are very similar to Highland Exams for levels and test complexity. Tests include dances like: Lilt, Flora, Johnny, Highland Laddie, Blue Bonnets, Village Maid, Earl of Errol, Scotch Measure & Tribute to J.L Mackenzie.
Jig & Hornpipe Exams:
Similar to Highland and National exams with levels, but are less to complete. Since these are more advanced dances these wont be recommended until the dancer has years of experience, or has learnt these dances in class.
Theory Exams:
Theory exams tests dancers on their knowledge of definitions of positions, movements and more. Takes a different type of preparation & studying than the practical exams. We HIGHLY recommend these exams because its the same format of a teaching exam. They help dancers feel well prepared to take their first professional exam at age 16, which allows them to start teaching at our studio. Its not required to complete all the theory grades before your teaching exam but it makes dancers feel a lot less overwhelmed when they work their way up to the bigger exam, instead of diving into the deep end at 16 with no other experience.
Professional Exams:
Professional Exams = Teaching Exams. Everyone who turns 16 can take their Associates Highland Exam, which is the first teaching exam offered. Other professional exams include: Associate National, Members Highland & National (Age 18 - For Members exams, which is required to take your Judges), Fellowship ( needed to become a medal test examiner).
Choreography Exams:
Done less often in our club, but an option!
Exam Results
Dance Stars = Pass
Highland/National/Jig/Hornpipe = Pass, Pass Plus, Commended, Commended Plus, Highly Commended.
Theory = Pass, Merit, Honors.
**If a dancer receives honors in their theory exam they can be nominated by their examiner for the SDTA Scholarship Event. Dancers who receive top marks get to compete for a financial scholarship award at a yearly event that moves around North America.
Exam Fees
Exam prices are set by SDTA and cover everything from the examiner touring around to the physical awards you get. These fees will not be required until mid February.