Lessons
(all levels)
Questions? . . .
contact Classes Convenor
Anne Bishop 416.466-4631
You do not need to be a couple… we change partners every dance.
Join us and share the wonderful experience of Scottish country dance!
Beginner Classes (Level 1) ~ Monday Evenings ~ West End (Alderwood)
Mondays: 7:30-9:30pm at Alderwood Community Centre, Etobicoke <map>
▶︎ Fall Semester: Sept 25 - Dec 4, 2023 (no class Oct 9, Thanksgiving) 10 weeks: $100
︎ Pre-register for Fall Semester at Alderwood
▶︎ Winter Semester: Jan 8 - March 18, 2024 (no class Feb 19, Family Day) 10 weeks: $100
(Registration for Winter Semester opens in November)
Alma has been dancing since she was a young person in Tyneside. She is accomplished and certificated in Scottish country dance. She also teaches Scottish step dance (an elegant variation of country dance). Alma has taught both dance genres for many years.
Alderwood Community Centre, 2 Orianna Drive, Etobicoke, M8W 4Y1
(nr. Brown’s Line & Horner Ave.) <map> Go to the Meeting Room.
There is abundant free parking on campus.
Class Co-ordinator: Alex Sutton 416.915-1417
Beginner Classes (Level 1) ~ Monday Evenings ~ North Toronto (Calvin)
Mondays: 7:30 - 9:30pm — at Calvin Presbyterian Church, Yonge & St Clair <map>
▶︎ Fall Semester: Sept 25 - Dec 4, 2023 (no class Oct 9, Thanksgiving) 10 weeks: $100
Pre-register for Fall Semester at Calvin
▶︎ Winter Semester: Jan 8 - March 18, 2024 (no class Feb 19, Family Day) 10 weeks: $100
(Registration for Winter Semester opens in November)
Teacher: David Booz, has been dancing Scottish since he was a young fellow in Georgina Finlay’s legendary demo team. Students in one of his previous Beginner Classes were so inspired by his teaching that they got together and established their own weekly social group, which continues to this day.
The parish hall of Calvin Presbyterian has a 65-yr history of hosting Scottish country dancing. The room has a sprung wood floor, and it’s handy to the subway (5-minute walk north from St Clair station). There is Green P Parking just next door to the church.
Lower Hall of Calvin Presbyterian Church, 26 Delisle Ave <map>, just off Yonge, just north of St Clair.
Enter via east side red doors (not the grand main entrance!), go down stairs to Lower Hall (on your right).
Class Co-ordinator: Cheryl Catt
Beginner Classes (Level 1) ~ Thursday Evenings ~ Central Toronto (Eastminster)
Thursdays: 7:30 - 9:30pm — at Eastminster United Church on The Danforth <map>
▶︎ Fall Semester: Sept 21 - Nov 23, 2023 10 weeks: $100
Pre-register for Level 1 Fall Semester at Eastminster
▶︎ Winter Semester: Jan 11 - March 14, 2024 10 weeks: $100
(Registration for Winter Semester opens in November)
Teacher: Keith Bark was awarded the Scroll of Honour for services to Scottish Country Dance. Keith is a gifted teacher with an impish sense of humour.
Level 1 is in the Eastminster Gymnasium (the gym has a wood floor designed for basketball).
Eastminster Church <map> is at 310 Danforth Ave. one block west of Chester station, near Carrot Common.
Enter church by the east-side door and go downstairs, turn left to the Gym.
Class Co-ordinator: Anne Bishop 416.466-4631
Level 2 Classes (Improvers) ~ Thursday Evenings ~ Central Toronto (Eastminster)
Thursdays: 7:30 - 9:30pm — at Eastminster United Church on The Danforth <map>
▶︎ Fall Semester: Sept 21 - Nov 23, 2023 10 weeks: $100
Pre-register for Level 2 Fall Semester at Eastminster
▶︎ Winter Semester: Jan 11 - March 14, 2024 10 weeks: $100
(Registration for Winter Semester opens in November)
Teacher: Deirdre MacCuish Bark, was awarded the Scroll of Honour for services to Scottish Country Dance. Her love of Scottish country dance connects her to childhood memories of the Isle of Harris in the Outer Hebrides. She is a skilful, patient teacher and a gifted dance devisor. She will improve your dancing skills and you will have fun learning to be better.
Level 2 dances in the Hurndale Room on lower level of Eastminster United Church on a springy wood floor.
Eastminster Church <map> is at 310 Danforth Ave. one block west of Chester station.
Enter Eastminster Church by the east-side door, go downstairs, turn right to the Hurndale Room.
Class Co-ordinator: Anne Bishop 416.466-4631
Extension Classes ~ Thursday Evenings ~ Central Toronto (Eastminster)
Thursdays: 7:30 - 9:30pm — at Eastminster United Church on The Danforth <map>
▶︎ March 28 - May 16, 2024 8 weeks: $80 ▶︎ Registration opens in February
These classes are designed as a bridge between the end of regular classes and the beginning of Dancing in the Park. The classes extend the learning experience as dancers review steps and formations previously taught and are introduced to new ones.
• David Booz
• Deirdre MacCuish Bark
• Keith Bark
Extension classes are in the Eastminster Gymnasium (the gym has a wood floor designed for basketball). Enter church by the east-side door and go downstairs, turn left to the Gym.
Eastminster United Church <map> 310 Danforth Ave. one block west of Chester station.
Enter church by east-side door.
Class Co-ordinator: Anne Bishop 416.466-4631
Level 3 Classes (Advanced) ~ Thursday Evenings ~ Central Toronto (Eastminster)
Thursdays: 7:30 - 9:30pm — at Eastminster United Church on The Danforth <map>
▶︎ March 28 - April 25, 2024 5 weeks: $50 ▶︎ Registration opens in February
Teacher: Moira Korus learned Scottish country dance as a child in Edinburgh, and attained her full certificate in 2006. Moira teaches the Rosedale Children’s Group and the Glenview social group. She also instituted, and taught, the DAA (Dancing Achievement Award) programme in Toronto. Moira is popular on the SCD workshop circuit.
Level 3 dances in the Hurndale Room on lower level of Eastminster United Church on a springy wood floor.
Eastminster Church <map> is at 310 Danforth Ave. one block west of Chester station. Enter church by east-side door.
Class Co-ordinator: Anne Bishop 416.466-4631
As you begin 2nd term. . .
After your first term of Beginner Classes, to qualify for the second term, you are expected to become a member of RSCDS Toronto (info here). There are multiple reasons for this.
Basically, classes are subsidized by membership fees. Expenses include:
•rental of facilities
•token compensation to teachers
•insurance costs
From a 'big picture' point of view, classes would not exist without membership fees to support the training of teachers (equivalent to a university course, in both difficulty and expense), the testing and publication of dances, and the production of CDs for the music we dance to.
Plus, we are part of a world-wide international organization that maintains standards and safeguards the heritage and history of Scottish Country Dancing so it can continue to thrive.
So, please, cheerfully join-up. Over a year you can actually recover much of your membership fee by reduced entry cost for Monthly Dances and other events. You will also receive our monthly newsletter Set & Link and twice a year you’ll get Scottish Country Dancer magazine directly from Scotland. Membership Page
Safety First…
Emergency Contact:
Occasionally, there is a medical emergency while dancing. All dancers are reminded to have their emergency contact information on their person at all Scottish County Dancing events.
COVID Protocols:
1. Vaccinations against COVID are highly recommended for those attending an RSCDS Toronto Event.
2. Masks are recommended but not mandatory.
3. No-one should attend an RSCDS Toronto event if they have symptoms of COVID or any other contagious disease; have tested positive for COVID in the last 7 days; or have a household member or close contact who tested positive for COVID in the last 7 days.
4. Hand Sanitizer will be available at all RSCDS Toronto Events.
© 2014-2023 RSCDS Toronto
RSCDS Toronto is a not-for-profit affiliate of the Royal Scottish Country Dance Society, Edinburgh, Scotland. HM Queen Elizabeth is our Patron.
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