Guest Lecturers

Kelly has been a member of the RSOBHD Judges Panel since 1996. She is honoured to serve as a Fellow and Examiner with the SDTA and is also a Life Member of the Edmonton Highland Dancing Association. Over the years, Kelly has travelled extensively across Canada, the United States, Australia, and Scotland to judge, examine, and conduct workshops - often alongside her two daughters, who have also competed in highland dancing.

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Kelly enjoyed a successful competitive career herself, winning multiple championships and placing runner-up at the Canadian Championships in both 1980 and 1981. In addition to highland, she trained in tap, ballet, and contemporary dance, and was also a competitive cheerleader. Still, her deepest passion remained Highland dancing.

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In 1994, Kelly and her teaching partner, Bill Troock, founded the Strathcona School of Dancing. Together, they have built a legacy of excellence, with students achieving championships at the Provincial, Canadian, Scottish, and Commonwealth championships, along with several top-three finishes at the World Championships. For more than 30 years, they have proudly sent Alberta representatives to the Canadian Championships every single year, while also mentoring many of today’s teachers and judges - passing their knowledge and love of dance to future generations.

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Beyond the dance world, Kelly works full-time for the Government of Alberta and has been happily married to her supportive husband for more than 30 years.

Linda began Highland dancing lessons in Southern California at the age of seven. Her father, Ian, was a piper in a local band, which meant summers were often spent at Highland games. As her three younger brothers grew older, they too became involved in piping and drumming, making it a true family tradition.

Linda discovered her passion for teaching in her teenage years. While pursuing her education, she also worked part-time at an insurance brokerage, where she eventually built a successful career until retiring at the age of 52. Balancing a full-time career, raising a family, and teaching Highland dance was no small task, but she has always believed that when you love what you do, you find the time for it.

A certified member of the British Association of Teachers of Dancing (BATD), Linda currently serves as Secretary for California. Over the years, she has established herself as a highly respected and successful teacher, with her dancers achieving U.S., Canadian, and World Championship titles. She has also taught countless workshops, guided fellow teachers, and mentored many dancers. In recognition of her contributions, she was inducted into the ScotDance USA Hall of Fame in Boston last summer.

Linda and her husband, Steve, make their home in San Diego, California. She is the proud mother of a son and daughter and the grandmother of four.

Eleanor has actively been teaching for over 45 years and in 1995 became owner and Artistic Director of Aspects of Dance in Burlington, Ontario.  Most of the students at Aspects of Dance, train in Highland, Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Lyrical, Musical Theatre and Acrobatics.

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Many of her competitive highland dancers have travelled throughout Canada, United States, Australia and Scotland.  Some of her students have won Ontario and Canadian Championship titles as well as placing in the top 6 at the World Championships in Dunoon, Scotland.

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Eleanor is a member of the World-Wide Judges Panel, Royal Scottish Official Board of Highland Dancing (R.S.O.B.H.D.) she is also a Fellow, Life Member and Examiner with the British Association Teachers of Dance (B.A.T.D.) Eleanor has travelled throughout Canada, United States, Australia and Scotland, adjudicating, examining and conducting Highland and Choreography Workshops

Having started dancing at aged 8 in Dundee, Scotland, Gregor had a successful competitive Highland dancing career over 25 years in the UK and overseas winning all major Championships. This included 8 World Championships, 7 

Commonwealth Championships, 16 British Championships, the Australian Champion of Champions and was presented with the SOBHD (as it was) Oscar award 14 times. The latter part of his dancing career being under the direction of his sister Lesley Bowman.

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Highland Dancing has brought many opportunities including travel and meeting lots of people, many of whom are lifelong friends. As well as a successful competitive career, Gregor also performed on two occasions as a guest performer with the Scottish Dance Company of Canada in their production of Immrama and was a soloist at The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo on 2 occasions.

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Gregor has been fortunate to visit many countries throughout the world such as France, Hungary, Holland, Turkey, Japan, Dubai, South Africa, Canada, USA and Australia when he either competed, demonstrated, examined, taught workshops or adjudicated.

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Gregor completed his second term as President of the Scottish Dance Teachers’ Alliance in 2020 with the first term being 2013-2016.

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In addition to this, he is a Fellow and Examiner with ‘The Alliance’, a delegate to the RSOBHD representing ’The Alliance’ and a member of the RSOBHD worldwide panel of judges.

One of three dancing sisters, Suzanne began traveling across New Zealand for competitions at the age of eight. She enjoyed a successful competitive career until the age of 30 and has been teaching since she was 15. Her pupils have excelled under both the old New Zealand system and, in 2002, she brought her Highland studio to the Champion of Champions in Launceston, Tasmania for their first-ever RSOBHD competition—a moment that set the course for future success.

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Following the passing of the legendary Julie Appleton-Seymour, Suzanne moved to Waipukurau in the Central North Island to take over as caretaker of Julie’s Highland studio. Under her guidance, the studio continued to thrive. She is a Fellow of the UKA and a member of the worldwide Adjudicators Panel for the RSOBHD.

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Outside of dancing, Suzanne has recently retired from her Sales Manager role and now enjoys traveling and spending time with her grandchildren.

Ellen began Highland dancing with a local teacher when she was five years old. After traveling to Toronto for a dance camp at age nine, where Gladys Forrester was one of the instructors, she and her parents decided that the five-hour trek to classes with Gladys would be well worth the effort. She spent many weekends, Easter breaks, spring breaks, and summers training in Gladys's studio. Ellen went on to enjoy a very successful competitive career, winning championships in Canada, the United States, and Scotland, until an injury forced her into an early retirement.

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At just 13 years old, Ellen knew she wanted to bring competitive dancing as she knew it to her hometown of Cornwall, Ontario. Under the supervision of Linda Campbell Jamieson, a former student of Gladys's, she began her teaching career.

 

Ellen’s dancers have won championships throughout Canada, the United States, and Scotland, including Ontario, Canadian, North American, Commonwealth, and World titles. While she is proud of every dancer who works toward their personal goals, one of her students recently captured her 17th Canadian title and 9th World title. Ellen has also enjoyed teaching workshops across Canada, the United States, Scotland, and Australia.

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She is the proud mom of four adult children and an even prouder Nana to nine amazing grandchildren, ranging in age from four months to 14 years. She is forever grateful to her husband of 47 years, Pat, for supporting her in all she has accomplished, and perhaps most importantly, for tolerating her passion for Highland dance.

 

Ellen is thankful for the places she has been and the people she has met throughout her competitive and teaching career. She is proud to now be teaching many children of former students and is very excited to reunite with old friends and make new ones at this year’s WHDC in Las Vegas.

Kate fell in love with Highland Dance at the age of 7 and is now grateful for the opportunity to share her passion with others! Over the last 30 years, Kate’s competitive dancing career brought worldwide championship success in every age category. She is a 7–time US Champion and has placed in the top 6 in the World Championships 8 times, including 2 times as First Runner-up. She is the holder of over 100 major championship titles throughout the United States, Canada, Scotland, and Australia. Kate is a Fellow of the BATD and SDTA, an examiner with the BATD, Chairperson of the BATD Great Lakes Region and an R.S.O.B.H.D. Judge and passed the exam at the age of 21. She judges, lectures, and performs internationally.

Kate teaches over 50 dancers from several countries at the Kate DeGood School of Dance in Birmingham, Michigan and remotely. Her students have won many major titles including Regional, Provincial, and the US National Championships and the North American BATD Sadie Simpson Scholarship. Her dancers have performed with several international Tattoo companies including the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo. Kate enjoys choreographing for professional performances with Fling Together, including NYC Tartan Week. Kate especially enjoys helping Premier dancers advance to Championship level, studying and training candidates in Highland theory, creating choreography, and teaching workshops.

Laura has been involved in Highland Dance since the age of 8. Laura has competed throughout the world for the past 33 years qualifying for the United States Inter Championship 25 years in a row. She has won championship titles throughout the United States and Canada. 

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Her passion and love for dancing does not stop with competing. She created Highland Wellness and Strength in 2016 after adding cross training to her training routine as well as recovering from multiple injuries. The goal is to share her knowledge of self-care , injury prevention and the importance of cross training in a dancers life.  Laura has conducted workshops throughout Canada, the United States, Scotland and Australia. 

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Laura also has her Doctorate in Physical Therapy. She has fifteen years of experience working in outpatient orthopedic settings.  She has taken continuing education courses in taping, dance injuries and methods for treating back pain. She enjoys working with patients of all ages to help them return to doing what they love. 

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Laura is honored to be a part of the World Highland Dancing Conference and is looking forward to a weekend full of learning with colleagues from around the world.  

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Alison discovered her love of Highland dancing at the age of seven and went on to compete for 20 years across Canada, the United States, and Scotland. She had the privilege of training under Bill Troock, Kelly Abrahart, and Jessica Imeson, and is a proud Member of the SDTA. She is also the founder of the Glen Isla Highland Dancers in Red Deer, Alberta.

Her passion for nutrition was inspired by her dance journey and the role proper fueling plays in enhancing performance. Alison holds a Bachelor of Science in Nutrition and Food Science and is a Registered Dietitian in Central Alberta. She has worked with dancers of all ages to optimize performance, support training, and promote long-term wellness.

Alison is honoured to join the World Highland Dancing Conference as a guest lecturer, where she will share insights on the vital connection between food, nutrition, and performance.

Sandy Gribbin is a former champion highland dancer with nearly 30 years of competitive experience worldwide. She has been a teacher and member of the British Association of Teachers of Dance for 25 years. Sandy holds a bachelor's degree in Exercise Science from Meredith College and a master's degree in Exercise Physiology from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She is an ACSM Clinical Exercise Physiologist and an ACE Certified Personal Trainer.

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Sandy leveraged her extensive knowledge as a dancer and trainer to develop her company, Fit for Reel by Studiofit®, which helps dancers build strength, power, stamina, and technique while reducing the risk of overuse injuries. Fit for Reel by Studiofit® has a global outreach, offering personalized programs, workshops, and cross-training videos to dancers and teachers, to help eliminate muscle imbalances and keep dancers performing at their best.

In addition to her role as a dance trainer, Sandy is the Dance Director and Choreographer for the Highland Echoes Show, which showcases Scottish music, dance, and culture. She resides in Maryland, USA, with her husband, two sons, and two lovable pups.​​

Sheryl Joyner has been involved in Highland dance for many years, with experience as a competitor, performer, teacher, and leader. As a competitor, she earned gold at provincial and national championships and won choreography competitions. After completing her Honours Fine Arts Degree in Dance (ballet and modern), she performed with the Scottish Dance Company of Canada and worked as a soloist and choreographer for the Celtic Dance Company. A highlight of her performing career was appearing in the Mirvish Production The Needfire at Toronto’s Princess of Wales Theatre and Royal Alexandra Theatre.

For the past 30 years, Sheryl has operated her own dance studio while working as an Arts and ESL specialist with the Toronto District School Board. Many of her students have achieved success at the Ontario, Canadian, North American, Commonwealth, and Scottish championships. Eight have placed in the top six at the World Championships, with two winning the Junior World Champion title in 2003 and 2013.

Sheryl has also contributed to the broader Highland dance community, serving as Vice President and then President of ScotDance Ontario for 10 years. She continues to support the organization as Past President.

Christine was awarded a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in the 2014 New Years honours list for services to Scottish Highland Dancing.
Christine was elected Chairman of the World Governing Body for Highland Dancing in November 2006 – now known as The Royal Scottish Official Board of Highland Dancing.

Christine was awarded the prestigious Atholl Clasp Award from The Atholl Dancing Association in November 2019. Christine is also a Trustee and Examiner of The British Association of Teachers of Dancing as well as an International Adjudicator on The Royal Scottish Official Board of Highland Dancing.

Among Christine’s many competitive credits are, six times World Highland Dancing Champion. Although well renowned in the world of Highland Dancing, Christine has also achieved recognition in both Tap and Ballet. She has held the titles of British Senior Ballet Champion; Scottish Junior and Senior Ballet Champion; Scottish Junior and Senior Tap Champion. Collectively, in all three disciplines she has accumulated over 250 Championship Titles. She is always in great demand lecturing, examining and adjudicating all over the world.

Christine was trained at the Stewart School of Dancing in Alexandria, Scotland. Christine’s teachers at the School were – Miss Jessie Stewart Haggarty MBE, Miss Agnes Stewart and Mrs Nancy Haggarty Gibbons. Christine is most indebted to all three ladies for giving her the skills and the passion she has for Dance. She now teaches dance full time and is thoroughly enjoying being able to devote her
time and expertise to the dancing world.

Christine is happily married to Donald MacPhee who is a well-known piper and
RSPBA Adjudicator.

Rhona Lawrence has been dedicated to teaching Highland dance for over 50 years, beginning in her home village of New Pitsligo, Scotland. She is now Principal Director of the Lawrence Dance Academy in Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire, where she has nurtured generations of dancers – from enthusiastic beginners to World Champions – as well as future teachers and adjudicators.

Rhona is a Fellow, Examiner, and Past President of UKAdance — notably, she was the very first Highland President in the organisation’s history. She is also a member of BATD, SDTA, and actively involved with RSOBHD. As an RSOBHD adjudicator and long-standing committee member, she continues to contribute to the development of Highland technique and judging standards.

Her passion for teacher development led to the creation of the UKA Annual Highland Gathering in Aberdeen, now Scotland’s largest conference for Highland dance teachers. She was also instrumental in introducing accredited Highland dance examinations across the UK, helping raise the profile and professional recognition of the art form.

Rhona has personally organised many of the UK’s major Highland dance events, including the United Kingdom and Commonwealth Championships. She has also led UK delegations to international events such as The Magics in Paris and Florida — where she’s even taught Mickey Mouse a few Highland steps!

Still deeply involved in mentoring and international outreach, Rhona is honoured to represent UKAdance at the World Highland Dancing Conference. She extends her sincere thanks to the event organisers for their hard work and dedication, and wishes all attendees a fantastic, inspiring event.

Fiona has been involved in highland dancing since the age of four. She has won over seventy-five Championships including representing the province of British Columbia a total of 16 times at the Canadian Championships. Her biggest highlight was winning the 2007 World Junior Championship. In 2013, Fiona graduated from Simon Fraser University with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Psychology.  

She has danced on many of the world’s famous stages with the Simon Fraser University Pipe Band, including the Sydney Opera House in Australia, the Massey Hall in Toronto, the Royal Concert Hall in Glasgow, and the Lincoln Centre in New York. Fiona is a registered teacher with ScotDance Canada, the BATD, and the SDTA. Fiona has been a judge for the RSOBHD since 2015 and a full time teacher with the Heather Jolley Highland Dancers since 2013.
 

Fiona lives in Port Coquitlam, British Columbia, with her husband, Nick, and their three year old daughter Isla.
 

She is honoured to have been asked to be a guest lecturer at the World Highland Dancing Conference and is looking forward to a fantastic weekend of learning and fun! 

I am honoured and delighted to be invited to lecture at the World Highland Dancing Conference in Las Vegas.

Throughout my successful Highland dancing career, I won all the major titles, including the Scottish Championship at Cowal seven times and the Juvenile World Championship in 1989. Dancing gave me the incredible opportunity to travel the world, form lifelong friendships, and develop invaluable life lessons. The dedication, commitment, and passion I found in Highland dancing have shaped me into the person I am today.

I am a member of the SDTA and BATD and serve on the RSOBHD worldwide judging panel. Judging the World Championships four times was an incredible experience—though I think I was more nervous judging than I ever was competing! Currently, I teach a small Highland class within a Dancentre that offers a variety of dance styles.

Beyond dance, I have been a practicing psychologist for over 20 years, specializing in self-regulation through breathwork. My professional doctorate focuses on the power of breathing in managing mental well-being. In addition, I have been a yoga instructor for 15 years, blending my expertise in psychology and movement to promote a holistic approach to health. I strongly believe that everyone needs a mental health toolbox to navigate life’s challenges.

For fun, I stay very active and competitive! I have run 27 marathons across the world—and I don’t plan on stopping anytime soon. I truly believe that training the mind and body to be the best version of itself is the key to longevity and well-being.

Steven MacRae has been involved in Highland dancing for over 30 years.  He danced under the direction of his mother, Robin MacRae, in Seattle, WA, and former World Champion, Angus MacKenzie, in Vancouver, BC.

As a competitor, Steven has placed successfully in championships throughout the United States, Canada, Scotland, and Australia.  Some of his competitive highlights include: 5-time Northwest regional representative to the U.S. Championship, Oban medal winner (Scotland), 2nd runner-up North American Championship, as well as winner of numerous championships and aggregate awards.  

Having been retired from competitive dancing for over 10 years now, Steven is a Fellow and Examiner with the Scottish Dance Teachers’ Alliance and runs the MacRae Scottish Highland Dance School with his mother based out of Seattle, WA.  He has been a member of the RSOBHD Worldwide Judges’ Panel since 2014.

He lives in Owensboro, Kentucky with his wife, Erica, and their brand-new daughter, Vivian.

Steven is honored to be asked to be a part of the World Highland Dancing Conference and is looking forward to a great weekend of Highland dance, learning, friendship, and fun!

Diane MacPhee Krugh has been teaching Highland for over 50 years, and for the past 43 years has been the Dance Director at St. Thomas’ Episcopal School (K –12 private school) in Houston, Texas, where she teaches Highland Dancing full time with her sister Donna Cusack. Together they have produced eight different United States Champions, winning thirty US Championship titles.  Eight of their students have placed in the top six overall places in the Juvenile, Junior, and Adult World Championship thirteen times.  In 1997, their student Michelle Cumagun won the Juvenile World Championship. 

Diane is the Vice President of the BATD and is also a member of the BATD Highland Committee. Diane is the National Registrar for FUSTA.  She is also the Co-Chair for the BATD North American Sadie Simpson Scholarship Highland Weekend. Diane is an Examiner with a Fellow in Highland and National Branches with the BATD and a member of the RSOBHD’s Judges Panel.

Diane travels on a regular basis conducting workshops and adjudicating at many competitions and Championships all over the United States, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Ireland, and Scotland. She is happily married for 47 years and has a 41-year-old son, Neil, and a 31-year-old daughter, Sandra. 

Donald MacPhee is a member of the RSPBA Adjudicators panel (Piping & Ensemble). After a successful pipe band career he retired from Grade 1 pipe band competition at the end 2014 accumulating 34 Major Championships, 8 Champion of Champions titles, 6 World Championships and 2 Grand Slams while a member of the Field Marshal Montgomery Pipe Band.

Some of his solo major successes are Former winner (ceol beag) at both the Argyllshire Gathering and Northern Meeting, The New Zealand Piobaireachd Society’s Gold Medal, The Donald MacDonald Quaich .The Former Winners MSR at the Scottish Pipers Association professional contest, the overall solo piper award at the Cowal Highland Gathering and winner of The Highland Society of London’s Gold Medal at the Northern Meeting. 

Donald is well known for Piping for Dancers. He has produced over the past 30 years 3 Piping for Dancing Professional recordings - the latest "The Definitive Collection" which is highly acclaimed by dancers, teachers and examiners. 

Donald holds a Graduate & Senior Teachers Certificate from the Institute of Piping as well as the Advanced Certificate and Teachers Certificate from the RSPBA. He is a highly respected and travelled solo adjudicator with the Solo Piping Judges Association. With his many years in education Donald also works as a Visiting Assessor and External Verifier (Scottish Bagpipes) for the SQA ( The Scottish Qualifications Authority). Donald teaches for Argyll and Bute Council in Dunoon and Lower Argyll ( Helensburgh) ; he lives happily in Alexandria with his beautiful wife Christine, a former 6 time World Highland Dance champion.

Douglas “Dougie” McFarland is an Australian Highland dancer, teacher, adjudicator, and musician based on the Central Coast of New South Wales. He is a Fellow of the Scottish Dance Teachers' Alliance and a judge with the Royal Scottish Official Board of Highland Dancing.

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Dougie is the Director of Laycock St Dance, where his students have achieved outstanding success, including over 100 Central Coast Title winners, as well as State, Australasian, International, and Champion of Champions titles.

As a skilled bagpiper and Drum Major, Dougie has performed alongside Sir Paul McCartney, The Wiggles, and Jimmy Barnes, and has produced numerous shows, including Reel Men Do Dance.

He has released two albums for dancing—Good Times with The Wilson and Rhythm of the Dancer—both available on all major streaming platforms.

During the pandemic, Dougie brought the Highland dance community together by co-creating the Interactive Highland Dancing Festival, offering dancers a space to connect and perform when in-person events weren’t possible.

The son of Veronica McFarland—respected teacher of over 60 years and judge for more than 50—Dougie lives each day with passion and purpose for Highland Dance.

Rachel began Highland Dancing at age five and enjoyed a 20-year competitive career with worldwide success, winning major titles including the Commonwealth, British Open, Scottish Open, North American Open, and the Australian Champion of Champions. She was a three-time UK Champion of Champions “Oscar” winner, placed in the top six at the World Championships on seven occasions, and was crowned Junior World Champion in 2002.

A Member of the BATD and SDTA, Rachel qualified as an RSOBHD Adjudicator in 2008 under the guidance of her teacher and mentor, Shendl Russell. Since then, she has adjudicated major championships and led workshops across North America, Europe, Africa, and Australasia. She has served as an RSOBHD delegate for 15 years, representing ScotDance Canada, and co-created Assemble and Leap—celebratory concerts for the RSOBHD’s 60th and 70th anniversaries.

As a performer and choreographer, Rachel has led productions at global events including the RBS 6 Nations, New York Tartan Week, the Beijing International Tourism Festival, and the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games. She founded Flings & Things in 2014, which has performed internationally with acts such as Muse, Skipinnish, Tide Lines, and the Red Hot Chilli Pipers, as well as at the Solheim Cup and Basel Tattoo.

Beyond dance, Rachel has built a career in project and event management, contributing to the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games, Glasgow 2018 European Championships, and Comic Relief. In 2024 she relocated to Switzerland, where she is now Production Manager for Julliard Events, producers of the Basel Tattoo.

Jennifer Miller’s love for Highland dancing began over 40 years ago in a small home studio in Sterling Heights, Michigan. From that first class, Highland dance became a defining part of her life.

As a dancer, she earned numerous championships across the United States and Canada, including two U.S. National Championships, and placed in the top six at the U.S. Inter-Regional Championships for 13 consecutive years.

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As a teacher, Jennifer has guided her students to success on both national and international stages. Her dancers have won top awards and titles, including U.S. National and North American Championships, and have performed at festivals, shows, and world-renowned events such as the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo and other international tattoos.

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Before fully dedicating herself to teaching, Jennifer performed professionally with Patterson Rhythm Pace Dance Company and toured as a soloist with the Celtic Dance Theater of Arizona in Fire and Grace. In addition to Highland, she is trained in numerous other dance forms and holds a bachelor’s degree in Performing Arts from Oakland University. She has taught classes and workshops across the U.S. and Canada, including nine years at the Ohio Scottish Arts School and four years at the BATD North American Conference.

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Jennifer has also built a strong reputation as a choreographer, creating works for both dance schools and theater companies throughout Michigan, with over 60 full-scale musicals to her credit. Most recently, in 2021, she was honored to represent the United States as choreographer for the RSOBHD’s Assemble and Leap Project.

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Outside of dance, Jennifer enjoys baking, traveling, and spending time with her family and friends.

Deryck started lessons, age 5, at the Tolmie School of Dancing in Dundee, run by his mum Wilma Tolmie and latterly also from Mary Neill, both former World Champions. He had a highly successful competitive career, winning his first championship aged 7, accruing many major titles over 20 years, culminating in 6 World Championships and 7 UK Champion of Champion titles.

Deryck is an adjudicator of the RSOBHD and Fellow member and Examiner in Tap and Highland with UKA Dance. In 2023, he was honoured to be elected as the RSOBHD's first Vice-Chairman. He is a director of Cowal Highland Gathering and dancing Convenor of the World and European Highland Dancing Championships.

Out-with dance, Deryck is employed as a global board advisor on cyber security for some of the largest world-wide brands. He loves listening to live  music and enjoys performing with his Celtic Rock band, The Cutting Edge. 

Sherril Medd began teaching in 1976, equipped with a passion for Highland Dance and an intuitive sense that through dance, she could create a unique culture that would bring out the best in everyone—a community that would teach more than just dance, one that would challenge and inspire students to reach their full potential in whatever they do.

Over the span of her career, Sherril has taught and mentored hundreds of dancers in Sherwood Park, North Vancouver, and Calgary and currently in Victoria. Her dancers have gone on to achieve remarkable success at national and international levels in both championship and choreography competitions, but Sherril’s greatest pride lies in the personal growth and confidence cultivated in every student she teaches.

Sherril brings her passion for dance to the original choreographies she creates. For her, choreography is like painting a picture: it begins with inspiration, builds through the sketch of an outline, and evolves organically based on the energy of the dancers themselves. Motivated by how dancers move and connect with the music, Sherril develops innovative pieces that stretch the boundaries of traditional forms while staying rooted in the spirit of Highland Dance.

A Fellow of the Scottish Dance Teachers’ Alliance, Sherril is a respected member of the Royal Scottish Official Board of Highland Dancing’s worldwide panel of adjudicators and a long-time ScotDance Canada member. She continues to share her expertise through workshops, blending tradition with creativity in every class she leads.

Sherril is honoured to be a guest lecturer at the Worldwide Highland Dance Conference and looks forward to contributing to an inspiring and forward-thinking exchange of ideas within the global Highland Dance community.

Carmen Munawych discovered her love for the performing arts at just four years old in Red Deer, Alberta. Her training spanned figure skating, tap, jazz, ballet, musical theatre, and ultimately Highland dancing—a discipline that would become her lifelong passion.

Over a competitive career spanning 25 years, Carmen had the privilege of competing across Canada, the United States, and Scotland, proudly representing Alberta at the Canadian Championships. At 18, she moved to Edmonton to pursue a nursing degree
while continuing her competitive dance career through university, marriage, and into motherhood.

Today, Carmen is the principal instructor at the Beaumont School of Highland Dance, where she has guided dancers to provincial, national, and international championship titles. She is a member of the Scottish Dance Teachers Alliance, serves on committees with the Edmonton Highland Dance Association, ScotDance Alberta, and ScotDance
Canada, and is an accredited judge with the Royal Scottish Official Board of Highland Dancing.

Deeply passionate about teaching, Carmen strives to provide high-quality instruction that nurtures both technical excellence and personal growth. She is committed to inspiring determination, discipline, and a lasting love of dance in every student she teaches.

Alison Plemmons, originally from Park Ridge, Illinois, began Highland dancing as a child under the instruction of her mother, Sheila Mittig. She quickly rose through the competitive ranks, capturing the USIR Junior Championships in 1986 and 1987, followed by the Senior Championships in 1988 and 1989. She is also a two-time recipient of the prestigious Australia Award, which recognizes both dancer and teacher for outstanding achievement.

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Alison is a certified Member of the British Association of Teachers of Dancing (BATD) and currently serves as Secretary for the Great Lakes Region. In 2010, she was appointed to the Scottish Official Board of Highland Dancing (SOBHD) Judges Panel. Since then, she has judged across the United States, Canada, and Scotland, and has shared her expertise as an instructor at workshops and schools, including the Ohio Scottish Arts School.

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Alison lives in Fenton, Michigan, with her husband, Andy, and their two sons, Devin and Brandon.

Shendl was born and raised in Ayr, Scotland where she studied highland dance under world-renowned teachers May Falconer and Elspeth Strathearn. She enjoyed a very successful competitive career and is a former Scottish Champion and first runner up in the World Championship. As a teacher herself, Shendl has coached many successful champions from all over the world, including training the 2004 Adult World Champion and the 2015 Junior World Champion.

She is a Member of the World-Wide Judges’ Panel of the Royal Scottish Official Board of Highland Dancing, and a Fellow member and Examiner with the Scottish Dance Teachers’ Alliance. Shendl represented Australia, South Africa and teachers and judges of California on the RSOBHD before serving as Chairman of the Board for ten years and then President for ten years.

Shendl was awarded the Atholl Clasp in 2015. This award is given to people within the dancing  community who have served their sport extremely well. The recipients have given their lives to Highland Dancing. Nominations are given to the Board each year and the Office Bearers select the recipient.

Shendl continues to teach, conduct exams,  adjudicate and teach workshops.

She was Head Teacher, Quality Improvement Manager (Education) and an HMIe  government school inspector before retiring.

Shendl was delighted to be awarded the Medal of the Order of the British Empire in the King’s New Years Honours List.

From the age of 3 Jacqueline was trained in ballet, jazz, and tap and began Highland, her true passion, at the age of 7.  She had the pleasure of being taught by Helen Allison, Delma Wilson and Sandra Bald Jones.  Throughout her competitive dancing career, she won numerous titles across Canada, the United States, Australia and Scotland.  Highlights include being the Ontario Provincial Champion 7 times, Canadian Inter-provincial Champion 6 times, Juvenile World Champion (1988), Junior World Champion (1989), Adult World Champion (1993, 1996), Australian Champion of Champions and Grand Australasian Champion (1996).  She was the first dancer in North America to win all 3 World Champion Sections held at Cowal, Scotland. 

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Jacqueline’s performing highlights include dancing with the Scottish Dance Company of Canada, Celtic Accent, and the Schiehallion Dance Group, as well as performing in the Mirvish production "Needfire" and in the “Down Under the Kilt” production in Australia.

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Jacqueline is an adjudicator on the RSOBHD Judges’ Panel, a Fellow and Examiner with the SDTA, and a Member with the BATD.  She has had the opportunity to adjudicate and conduct workshops throughout North America, Australia and Scotland.  She opened her dance studio in 1998 in Milton, Ontario, Canada where she lives, has two children and works as a High School Finance Secretary.  Over the years, studio dancers have won many awards internationally, including Provincial, Canadian, North American Championship Titles and runner up titles at the Commonwealth and World Championships.  Her dancers have also performed in many Tattoos worldwide.

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Jacqueline is extremely grateful to Highland Dancing for the places she has been, the lifelong skills she has learned and the friends she has met. She looks forward to continuing to teach, judge, and examine, passing on her passion to others for many years to come.  

Jennifer Stephenson started dancing at age six and her career spanned more than thirty years; competing and performing throughout North America and in Scotland.  In addition to highland dance, she trained in ballet and Irish dance.

Jennifer is a Fellow and Life Member of the Scottish Dance Teachers’ Alliance, and is the director of the Stephenson School of Highland Dance.  Many of her students have had very successful competitive careers; highlights include placing in the top six in the Adult World Championships, and winning championships and Premierships throughout Canada and the U.S.  They have also performed at the Edinburgh, Basel, Belfast and Moscow International Tattoos.

Jennifer maintains a busy schedule judging and giving workshops.  She is a member of the Royal Scottish Official Board of Highland Dancing adjudicator’s panel, and has judged in Scotland, Australia, South Africa, the U.S. and across Canada.

Active in all aspects of highland dance, Jennifer is currently on the Board of Directors of ScotDance Canada (SDC), is co-Chair of the SDC Judges’ Committee, a member of the SDC Scholarship Committee, and a director of the Montreal Highland Dancing Association and ScotDance Quebec.  She has served on the SDC Ethics, Premiership, Finance, and Judges Selection committees, the Continuing Professional Development mentorship program, and as SDC Treasurer.  She has also chaired the Canadian Interprovincial Championships (1993) and the ScotDance Canada Championship Series (SDCCS) 2001 and 2013 in Montreal, QC and co-chaired SDCCS 2019 in Moncton, NB.

In her non-dancing life, Jennifer works at Air Canada and the Schulich School of Music of McGill University.

Joy (Allen) Tolev began her Highland dancing journey at the age of three under the instruction of Mrs. Evelyn Murray in Toronto, Ontario. As a successful competitor, she participated in numerous Highland dance competitions and championships across Canada and the United States.

For over 40 years, Joy has run her own school of Highland dancing in Toronto, where she has trained dancers of exceptional calibre. Her students have earned titles at the Ontario, Canadian, Scottish, Commonwealth, and World Championships. Among her many accomplishments are over 30 Canadian Championship winners, numerous Scottish and Commonwealth champions, and 11 World  Championship titles, including one dancer who holds the record with 10 World Championships.

Joy is a Fellow and Examiner of the British Association of Teachers of Dancing (B.A.T.D.), serves as the North American Coordinator for the Association, and is an adjudicator on the Royal Scottish Official Board of Highland Dancing (R.S.O.B.H.D.) Judges’ Panel.

In addition to her full teaching schedule, Joy travels extensively across Canada, the United States, Scotland, Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa, where she continues to share her expertise through judging, examining, and conducting workshops.

As a third-generation dancer, Andrea has been immersed in Highland Dancing her entire life. Her grandmother, Betty Percy, taught Ballet, Tap, Jazz, and Highland in Red Deer, Alberta, and later passed her knowledge to her daughter, Dawn Tronnes, Andrea’s mother. Dawn dedicated her life to Highland Dancing and shared her passion with her daughters, Andrea and Krista.

Andrea was trained by her mother in Calgary, Alberta, where they also taught the Tronnes Highland Dancers together. After moving to Texas and now residing in Arkansas, Andrea has continued to share her expertise, producing numerous champions both in Calgary and the United States. A Fellow of the Scottish Dance Teachers’ Alliance and an adjudicator of the Royal Scottish Official Board of Highland Dancing, Andrea is honoured to be invited to teach at this prestigious event and looks forward to a wonderful weekend of dancing.

Deborah Ward is a Fellow, Life Member, and retired Examiner of the Scottish Dance Teachers’ Alliance (SDTA), as well as a retired member of the Royal Scottish Official Board of Highland Dancing  (RSOBHD) Adjudicators’ Panel.

In search of a cross-training method to rebalance overused muscles, Deborah began studying Pilates. She first certified in Mat Pilates through POLESTAR PILATES, then went on to complete full certification—including Injuries & Special Populations—through STOTT PILATES two years later. She further advanced her expertise with the PILATES PROCESS method, which emphasizes therapeutic, evidence-informed exercise programming.

Following intensive teacher training in Toronto, Deborah launched the PILATES PROCESS Teacher Training programs in Kelowna, B.C. 

She also holds an Associate Membership with the Ortho-Bionomy Association of Canada, a discipline focused on the body’s natural ability to self-correct through muscular and neurological response.

Deborah studied dance along with her four sisters in the Toronto area. She studied ballet, tap and jazz in addition to her Highland Dance specialization. Her academic background includes a degree in Physical and Health Education from the University of Toronto and a business diploma from Ryerson College. 

Deborah taught both dancing and Human Biology for many years. She combined these two passions with her knowledge of training principles and wrote a book for dancers, which was published in 1997. This book aids the dancer in the development of both psychological and physical skills necessary to advance potential into reality. 

Deborah’s dancers have won Provincial, Canadian, USIR and International Championships including Commonwealth and Scottish Open titles.  She was awarded Independent Membership from ScotDance Canada and currently chairs both SDC’s Education and Development and the Recognition Committees. She is very interested in SDC’s legislation, policies, and procedures especially advocating for inclusion and equality. She is dedicated to creating opportunities for members to develop their potential within our dance community. 

Deborah is excited and honoured to be participating in the World Highland Dancing Conference 2025. 

Originally from Canada, Delma was a Canadian Champion before making Scotland her home in 1993. This year marks an incredible 53 years of teaching, a true testament to her dedication and influence in the world of Highland dancing.

A highly respected figure in the dance community, Delma is a member of the SDTA, an examiner for the UKA, and a judge for the RSOBHD. Her passion for competitive Highland dancing is unparalleled—her students have claimed an astonishing 17 World Championship titles under her expert guidance.

Beyond competition, Delma’s dancers have performed at some of the world’s most prestigious events, including the Queen’s Jubilee, the ceremony marking Prince Edward’s appointment as the Earl of Forfar, and at Braemar for Queen Elizabeth and King Charles.

With a lifetime of experience and an unmatched legacy in the sport, Delma is thrilled to be part of the 2025 World Highland Dancing Conference, where she will share her knowledge and passion with dancers from around the globe.

Born in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, David moved to Scotland at the age of four, where his journey in Highland dancing began. He started dancing at just five years old under Linda Napier in Arbroath before continuing his training with Frances Paterson in Forfar. His talent was undeniable—at the age of seven, he entered his first championship and won, marking the beginning of an extraordinary competitive career.

David went on to secure 192 championship titles, including seven World Championship titles, with much of his training guided by his mother, Delma Wilson. As a Fellow of the United Kingdom Alliance and the Scottish Dance Teachers Alliance, David shares his extensive knowledge and experience with dancers worldwide as an instructor and lecturer.

Beyond the dance world, David is also an accomplished professional bagpiper. He serves as the Pipe Major and full-time piping instructor at the High School of Dundee, one of Scotland’s leading independent schools. Under his leadership, the band won the Novice B World Pipe Band Championships in 2022 and was named Champion of Champions in 2024. Previously, he worked as a full-time instructor at The National Piping Centre in Glasgow and, in 2021, was appointed Pipe Major of the Grade 1 Police Scotland Fife Pipe Band.

David now resides in Arbroath, Scotland, with his wife Clare and daughter Caoimhe, who will be joining him in Las Vegas for the 2025 World Highland Dancing Conference. We are beyond excited to welcome David and his family to this incredible event!

Trained from an early age by her mother, Dorothy Christie, Michele has dedicated her life to Highland dancing. A Fellow of the Scottish Dance Teachers’ Alliance and a long-standing member of the Adjudicators’ Panel of the Royal Scottish Official Board of Highland Dancing, she has shared her expertise with dancers and teachers around the world.

For over 40 years, Michele has inspired generations of dancers through her knowledge, passion, and commitment to excellence in the art of Highland dance.

She continues her mother’s legacy with the Christie School of Dance in Burnaby, BC, and is honoured to be a guest lecturer at this year’s World Highland Dancing Conference.

We will continue to post special guests as they are confirmed !