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 the music of the great highland bagpipe your child will develop important skills like sportsmanship and self-confidence that will have a positive impact throughout their lives.

Our Dance Schools

Why Scottish Highland Dancing?

"With so many choices of activities and sports available for children, Highland dance is one that provides enduring benefits that reach far beyond learning the traditional dances of Scotland.

Considered both a sport and an art form, Highland dance builds strong and flexible bodies, improves agility, coordination and balance and increases bone density. More importantly Highland dance imparts lessons that last a lifetime. Dancers learn goal-setting, self-discipline, resilience, and adaptability."

-- Raising the Barre, A Research-Based Guide to Teaching Highland Dancing

Scottish Highland dancing is the perfect combination of art and sport. It combines the technical elements, grace, and beauty of dance with the strength and coordination found in the competitive aspects of sport. You do not have to be of Scottish heritage to participate in this form of dance. Whether your interest is in performing or competing, Highland dancing is for you! Boys and girls of all ages and skill levels perform and compete together throughout the year at local, national, and international events. Highland dancing offers a unique experience for high-energy, active children who love to move, jump, and the challenge of learning something new!

Wearing the traditional kilt and dancing to bagpipe music, your child will develop the skills that will give them valuable experiences that can have a positive impact throughout their lives.

Scottish Highland dancing boosts brain power!

Hard wires brain for learning
Increases intelligence
Improves memory
Develops Right/Left Brain Neural Pathways
Helps Attention Disorders
Increases ability to concentrate

Children who choose to do Highland Dancing tend to excel in school because it is one of the very few activities that use cross-lateral integration exclusively to perform movements. This practice significantly improves reading and math skills.

Highland Dancing Builds Strong Bodies!

Increases Bone Density
Builds Muscular Strength
Improves Coordination
Increases Balance
Develops Flexibility
Improves Motor Skills
Raises Agility Level
Fosters Strong Cardiovascular System
Improves Posture
Has Cross-Over Effect for Other Sports and Other Activities

Scottish Highland Dancing Builds Character!

Promotes quality family time
Opportunities to travel
Fosters lifelong friendships
Teaches sportsmanship and coach-ability
Builds self-confidence
Opportunities for scholarships in dance and in higher education
Strengthens work ethic, diligence, and precision
Offers goal-setting opportunities and reachable goals

Our Teachers

Kyla Groeschel - Director

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.

Elizabeth Anderson

Elizabeth 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. Elizabeth has recently earned 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. She is a Member of 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 of ScotDance USA. 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 United States, Canada, and Scotland and has placed in numerous championships.

Book our Dancers to Perform at Your Event!

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