Rosedale
Youth Group
The children’s group at Rosedale carries on a grand tradition, established by our founder, Professor Ronald Smith. Endearingly known as “Sanskrit Smith” he taught East Asian Studies at UofT (and he was a wartime intelligence officer in that field at Bletchley Park). Professor Smith always, winter and summer, wore the kilt. By all accounts Dr Smith was a fine dancer, and a fine gentleman. He left a generous bequest to support Scottish country dance youth.
Rosedale fees are a bargain. The fee includes weekly instruction, special party days, and attendance at annual festival and special events. The only recommended additional purchase is proper dance shoes (but we have a box of loaners as well). There are two Classes: • Family Class • Seniors.
9:15am - 10 ~ Family Class >> This class is for youngsters 4-7yrs and their parent(s). The kids learn to listen to, and move with music, and work as a team while they learn basic dance steps and formations. There’s usually a lot of giggles, and the dancing can be somewhat chaotic, but the older kids (and parents) in the group develop leadership skills as they help the wee ones, and they DO learn dances and demonstrate their talents at special events such as Burns Suppers and Festivals.
10:15am - 11:30 am ~ Senior Class >> The Senior Class is for ‘tweens and teens up to 20 yrs. Teenagers are quick to pick up dances, and they thrive on challenge. That’s what they get in this class. They learn some just-for-fun dances but they concentrate on intricate, performance-worthy dances. New friendships are formed, and leadership skills develop. Importantly, self-confidence flourishes. The teens often appear on stage in professional music productions and the audience is always thrilled to see grace and youth perform within a centuries-old tradition. As one of the Rosedale teens said, “Dancing is way more fun than watching TV!”
Accomplished teens are subsidized to attend the annual Toronto Workshop, and some attend formal events such as the Tartan Ball. Several Rosedale teens have travelled to Scotland to attend the Summer School in St Andrews.
Click MacLeod of Dunvegan to see a performance by the teens at a Children’s Festival.
To see a group of mixed-age kids dance for joy at the Youth Ball, click Postie’s Jig.
We dance at Rosedale Presbyterian Church, 129 Mt Pleasant Road at South Drive <map>
This is the biggest bargain in children’s activities.
Our reasonable tuition fee includes weekly instruction, special party days, and attendance at annual festivals.
Runs September to May
At Rosedale Presbyterian Church, 129 Mount Pleasant Road at South Drive <map>
Seniors: MacLeod of Dunvegan
Postie’s Jig at The Youth Ball
© 2015-2022 RSCDS Toronto
RSCDS Toronto is affiliated with the Royal Scottish Country Dance Society, based in Edinburgh, Scotland. HM Queen Elizabeth is our Patron.
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