Highland Dance Competitions

The Johnson School of Highland Dance is a competitive school.   We encourage our students to take part in competitions and challenge themselves to continually improve and reap the personal rewards that come with healthy competition. Plan vacations, visit family, or just weekend get-aways around a competition. For complete event listing visit www.scotdancecanada.ca or www.ahda.ab.ca where you can download entries for competitions trhoughout Alberta and Canada.

Do I Want my Child(ren) to Compete?

Although it is not mandatory, the majority of our students are competitive dancers. Some compete only in local competitions while others choose to travel throughout Alberta and even as far away as Scotland. Students from the Johnson School travels to many out of town competitions each year and these trips are always a highlight for the dancers and their families. To keep costs down there are opportunities to carpool, share hotel rooms, and provide chaperones for children who wish to travel without a parent.

Competition is an excellent way for your child(ren) to reap the rewards of their hard work. It builds self-esteem and character as well as lasting friendships. Try it…you just might like it!

Dancers move from either Primary or Beginners up through Novice, Intermediate, and finally Premier. This is called "changing status".

The most common type of competition is the "open" competition. All dancers can compete in open competitions. "Closed" competitions are also held and are restricted to dancers holding membership in designated local associations. Primary through to Premier dancers can compete in open and closed competitions at which they are judged by one judge at a time.

Some open and closed competitions offer "A" and "B" categories. An "A" dancer is one who HAS won a trophy in Premier in the last two years. A "B" dancer is one who HAS NOT won a trophy in Premier in two years.

Pre-Championship competitions are offered periodically and are open to Premier dancers who have NEVER won a championship title.

Championship competitions (closed or open) are held for Premier dancers only. The dance steps for Championship (Flings, Swords, Seann Truibhas, & Reels) are set by the Scottish Official Board each year. Dancers are judged by three judges at a time and their scores are averaged out to determine the top 6 in each dance and ultimately the champion and runners up. There must be at least 6 dancers in a class in order for it to be deemed a championship.

Primary dancers can compete from the age of 4 to 6. At that time they move into the Beginner category. The Beginner status is held until the competitor either: a) gains a first, second, or third prize in SIX separate Beginners’ competitions, or b) until 6 months following the first Beginner stamp whichever (a or b) is the later, after which that competitor is classified as a "Novice" dancer and is not eligible to enter a Beginner event. The Novice status is held until the competitor either: a) gains a first, second, or third prize in SIX separate Novice competitions, or b) until 6 months following the first Novice stamp whichever (a or b) is the later, after which that competitor is classified as an "Intermediate" dancer and is not eligible to enter a Novice event. Dancers advancing from Novice to Intermediate will be required to present their Novice card for their first Intermediate competition. Upon presentation of the Novice card, they will be issued a temporary card which will be stamped and dated by the competition organizer. The Intermediate status is held for one year from the date of the competitors first Intermediate competition after which the competitor becomes a Premier dancer. A new ScotDance card must be applied for with each and every change of status.

• ScotDance Card - 23$ for annual registration – no cost to advance categories during the year

Dancers must have a valid ScotDance card to compete at all S.O.B.H.D. sanctioned competitions. This card is valid anywhere in the world. Dancers must register each year with ScotDance Alberta to receive their card. When competitors change status (i.e. Primary to Beginner) a new card must be applied for (as quickly as possible). The new card will be issued for the new status at no charge. Contact the Director of the school about receiving a card and about changing competition status.

When your Instructor working with the Director of the school feels that you are ready to compete they will provide you with a ScotDance application form. This form must be filled out correctly and the required attachments must be in order. The form and attachments must be mailed a minimum of three weeks prior to the competition for which the card is required. ScotDance Alberta and/or the provincial registrar is not responsible for the dancers having registration cards prior to any competition or championship. Under NO CIRCUMSTANCES are parents/dancers to contact ScotDance Alberta's dancer registrar, all concerns and issues regarding ScotDance cards should be directed towards the Director who if necessary, will contact the registrar to resolve any issues. If you have any questions about how to fill out the form please contact the Director of the school.

© Johnson School of Highland Dance Inc. 2004

All contracts, claims, and/or disputes relating to, or involving this website and/or Johnson School of Highland Dance Inc. are subject to the Exclusive Jurisdiction of the Province of Alberta, Canada.

[Home] [Instructors] [Dances] [Associations] [Competing] [Exams] [Expectations] [News] [Members] [Links] [Pictures] [Privacy] [Schedule] [Calendar] [Contact / Legal]