ScotDance Sacramento is a collaboration between Scottish Highland dance teachers in the greater Sacramento area. Our mission is to empower dancers by teaching life skills through performance and competitions in traditional Scottish Highland dancing.
Performances
Our dancers perform at local community festivals, parades, fairs, international nights, Scottish and Celtic events, schools, corporate events, and church services throughout Northern California.
Performing on stage gives a dancer self-confidence and teaches them to think on their feet. Highland dancers utilize this experience in developing public speaking and leadership skills. Our dancers are available year-round for public or private performances.
Competitions
The competitive arena allows dancers to track their progress in learning the traditional Highland dances, such as the Highland Fling and Sword Dance. Dancers are grouped by age, experience, and ability level.
Competition offers opportunities to travel on a local, national, or even international level! Wearing the traditional kilt and dancing to bagpipe music, your child will develop important skills like sportsmanship and self-confidence that will have a positive impact throughout their lives.
Our Dance Schools
Our Teachers
Kyla Groeschel
Kyla began dancing at three years old under Norine Harmon. She competed for many years, winning numerous awards both nationally and internationally. She is currently a Fellow of the Scottish Dance Teachers' Alliance Highland Branch, member of the Royal Scottish Board of Highland Dancing Adjudicators' Panel, and Director of her dance school.
Beth Anderson
Beth has been dancing competitively for six years. She has competed in the US and Canada and has placed in numerous championship competitions, and is now a Member of the Scottish Dance Teachers' Alliance Highland Branch. Beth is currently earning her Bachelor's degree at William Jessup University.
Megan Holman
Megan began Scottish Dancing at the age of seven with Kyla. As a result of her years of hard work and dedication, she has won numerous awards both in the United States and abroad. She has traveled extensively to compete and perform, and these experiences have helped Megan form her world view. Megan is certified through the Scottish Dance Teacher's Alliance and has a Bachelor's of Arts in Early Childhood Education.
Jessica McElhaney
Jessica began dancing in 1999. Currently she is a Member of the British Association of Highland Dance, the Scottish Dance Teachers' Alliance Highland Branch, and ScotDance USA. In 2017, Jessica was elected to a two-year seat on the National Board of Directors as Delegate for the Western Region. Jessica is director of the Tartan Hearts School of Highland Dance.
Veronica Paskulin
Veronica has been dancing and competing since she was eight years old and is a Member of the Scottish Dance Teachers' Alliance Highland Branch. She has competed in multiple national and regional competitions and was the Scot Dance USA 2018 Whittlesey Memorial Scholarship recipient for dancers pursuing higher education.
Melanie Roof
Melanie has been competitively dancing since she was eight. She has been a Member of the Scottish Dance Teachers' Alliance Highland Branch for over 12 years. She has traveled all over the US, Canada, and Scotland and has placed in numerous championships.
