Lessons
(all levels)

 

Questions? . . .
contact Classes Convenor
Anne Bishop   416.466-4631

The RSCDS Toronto Scottish Country Dance Association offers classes for adults of all ages and dancing abilities, including beginners, experienced dancers, and everyone in between.

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) 

Teacher: Alma Smith will teach the five basic steps of Scottish country dance, and some of the common formations. She will lead you through simple dances using those steps and formations. After 10 weeks you’ll be ready to join in the fun of social dances, and there will be many experienced dancers eager to be your partner.

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) 

The Level 1 (Basic/Beginner) dancer learns the five basic steps of Scottish country dance, and some of common formations.  These elements are combined in simple dances that incorporate the steps and formations taught.  After 10 weeks you’ll be equipped to join in the fun of the March Beginners’ Night Dance with live music, and a crowd of experienced dancers eager to be your partner.

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) 

The Level 1 (Basic/Beginner) dancer learns the five basic steps of Scottish country dance, and some of common formations.  These elements are combined in simple dances that incorporate the steps and formations taught.  After 10 weeks you’ll be ready to join in the fun of social dances, and many experienced dancers eager to be your partner.

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) 

The Level 2 (Intermediate) classes build on the steps and formations learned at the Basic Level, as well as introducing more complex formations.  Dancers become more confident in skills and abilities, and enjoy the challenge of more complex dances.

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.

Teachers (not necessarily in order shown) 

  1. • David Booz

  2. • Deirdre MacCuish Bark

  3. • 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

These classes build on the skill base of the dancers.  New formations and dances of more complexity in their combination of patterns are introduced to challenge the more experienced dancer.

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:

  1. •rental of facilities

  2. •token compensation to teachers

  3. •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

      

New classes start in September.

Pre-registration required
or email Classes Convenor Anne Bishop  

Classes for youth    ~    Scottish Step Classes    ~    Virtual Classes

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.

 
9 Sept ~ May 2024
21 Sept ~ 18 March