THE STRENGTH AND BEAUTY OF THE SCOTTISH HIGHLANDS IN THE GREAT PLAINS OF EASTERN NEBRASKA AND WESTERN IOWA.
THE SCHOOL: The Walker School of Highland Dance accepts students regardless of age, sex, race, ethnic origin or dance experience. Students DO NOT have to be Scottish and range from age 4 through adult. Lessons go year round due to the summer competition season and are $40 a month. Discounts are available for multiple family members.
Performances vary from school assemblies to accompanying the Omaha Pipes and Drums. Participating in performances and/or competitions is not a requirement but additional lessons for those who wish to compete seriously can be arranged. Please call for more information on class placement, times and location.
THE TEACHER: The British Association of Teachers of Dance Certified Dori Walker as a Highland Associate student teacher in 1989, and a full Member in 1990. A competitive Scottish dancer for over 20 years, Ms. Walker has a national reputation for training prize winning dancers.
Her love of dance, in all forms, has been a life long passion. With over 25 years of dance training in traditional (ballet, tap, jazz) as well as Scottish and Irish forms, Ms. Walker is considered to be well versed in the technical side of dancing. Having operated her own dance studio in Omaha, NE, she understands the teaching and business facets as well. She moved to North Carolina in 1996 where she established an award winning Scottish dance school, but in 2001 returned to Nebraska. Excited to be home again, she is currently re-establishing her school in the Omaha area.
WHAT IS HIGHLAND DANCING?: It is the individual folk dancing of the rugged warriors and clansmen of the Scottish Highlands. Many of the movements and positions were found described in ancient records prior to the 1400's. Imported French dance instructors of the 1700's molded the dance form's strenuous athletic demands into a regulated art form. Up to the 1940's Highland Dance had remained a Man's sport. Not until after World War II were women allowed to perform the traditional kilted dances in public hence keeping the art alive.
HIGHLAND DANCES: Highland Fling, Swords, Seann Truibhas, Strathspey-Highland Reel, Half Tulloch, Hullachan, and Broadswords.
NATIONAL DANCES: Scottish Lilt, Flora MacDonald's Fancy, Blue Bonnets Over the Border, Village Maid, Earl of Errol, Scotch Measure, Highland Laddie, Wilt Thou Go To the Barracks, Johnnie?, The Cakewalk, Sailor's Hornpipe, and the Scottish Version of the Irish Jig (a.k.a. The Irish Washerwoman)
FOR MORE INFORMATION CALL DORI WALKER AT (402) 706-3546