Lessons for Beginners & Improvers

 

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!

Hear what Mayor Olivia Chow had to say when she jumped into
Dancing In The Park this past June:  https://youtu.be/MbqGYHkLnyQ

Beginner Classes (Level 1) ~ Monday Evenings  ~ West End  (Alderwood)


Mondays:  7:30-9:30pm  at Alderwood Community Centre, Etobicoke <map>  

▶︎  Fall Semester:  Sept 23 - Dec 02, 2024 (no class Oct 14, Thanksgiving)
    Registration opens early August.  Join our Tickle List to receive an alert.

    Cost: For your 1st Semester, everyone gets the Member Rate: 10 weeks: $125
             (for classes beginning in January, cost is $125 for Members; $150 for non-Members)

▶︎  Winter Semester: Jan 06 - March 17, 2025 (no class Feb 17, Family Day)
     Cost: 10 weeks: $125 for Members; $150 for non-Members   Winter Registration opens Nov/Dec

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: Arlene Koteff qualified for her teachers’ certificate in 2018, at St Andrews, Scotland. She loves to spread the enjoyment that is Scottish country dancing to others. Since 2014 she has taught the Bloorlea social group (now also based at Alderwood CC).

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   Note: Dancers, please arrive 15 mins early for registration

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 23 - Dec 02, 2024 (no class Oct 14, Thanksgiving)
     Registration opens early August.  Join our Tickle List to receive an alert.

    Cost: For your 1st Semester, everyone gets the Member Rate: 10 weeks: $125
             (for classes beginning in January, cost is $125 for Members; $150 for non-Members)

▶︎  Winter Semester:  Jan 06 - March 17, 2025 (no class Feb 17, Family Day)
      Cost: 10 weeks: $125 for Members; $150 for non-Members   Winter Registration opens Nov/Dec

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: Jean Noble, has been dancing Scottish since she was a wee girl in Scotland. She became a tutor and trained many aspiring teachers to gain their Teacher Certificates. She has a gentle, precise manner, and an impish sense of humour. She will tell you many stories.

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  Note: Dancers, please arrive 15 mins early for registration

Beginner Classes (Level 1)  ~ Thursday Evenings ~ Central Toronto  (Eastminster)


Thursdays: 7:40 - 9:25pm  — at East End United Church (formerly Eastminster) on The Danforth <map>

▶︎  Fall Semester:  Sept 26 - Nov 28, 2024
     Registration opens early August.  Join our Tickle List to receive an alert.

    Cost:   For your 1st Semester, everyone gets the Member Rate: 10 weeks: $125
              (for classes beginning in January, cost is $125 for Members; $150 for non-Members)

▶︎  Winter Semester:  Jan 06 - March 17, 2025 (no class Feb 17, Family Day)
    Cost: 10 weeks: $125 for Members; $150 for non-Members   Winter Registration opens Nov/Dec

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: Moira Korus grew up dancing Scottish as a child in Edinburgh, and attained her full certificate in 2006. Moira teaches the Rosedale Children’s Group (info here) 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 1 is in the Hurndale Room (which has a nice wood floor).

East End United <map> is at 310 Danforth Ave. one block west of Chester Station, near Carrot Common.

Enter church by east-side door; go downstairs; turn right to the Hurndale Room.

Class Co-ordinator: Anne Bishop   416.466-4631

Level 2 Classes (Improvers) ~ Thursdays ~ Central Toronto (East End United)


Thursdays: 7:30 - 9:30pm — at East End United Church (formerly Eastminster) on The Danforth <map>

▶︎  Fall Semester:  Sept 26 - Nov 28, 2024
    Registration opens early August.  Join our Tickle List to receive an alert.

  Cost:   For your 1st Semester, everyone gets the Member Rate: 10 weeks: $125
             (for classes beginning in January, cost is $125 for Members; $150 for non-Members)

▶︎  Winter Semester:  Jan 09 - March 13, 2025 • Winter Registration opens Nov/Dec
      Cost: 10 weeks: $125 for Members; $150 for non-Members 

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: David Booz, has been dancing Scottish since he was a young fellow in Georgina Finlay’s legendary youth 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. 

Level 2 dances in the Gym on lower level of the church on a springy basketball floor.

East End United Church <map> , 310 Danforth Ave. one block west of Chester station.  Enter church by the east-side door, go downstairs, turn left to the Gym.

Class Co-ordinator: Anne Bishop   416.466-4631

Extension Classes  ~ Thursdays ~ Central Toronto  (East End United)


Thursdays: 7:40 - 9:25pm — at East End United Church (formerly Eastminster) on The Danforth <map>

▶︎ March 27 - May 15, 2025    10 weeks: Members: $125   non-Members: $150
    Registration will open closer to the date

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: Moira Korus, David Booz, Jean Noble

Extension classes are in the 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.

East End 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 Class (Advanced) ~Thursday Evenings~ North Toronto  (Calvin Presbyterian)


Thursdays:  7:30 - 9:30pm  — at Calvin Presbyterian Church, Yonge & St Clair <map>

▶︎ Spring, 2025 (dates TBA)       5 weeks: Members: $62.50  non-Members: $75  

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: Gavin Keachie learned Scottish country dance as a child in Toronto, where he attended the Children’s Scottish Country dance group at Rosedale Presbyterian Church. As a teen, he was awarded a scholarship to attend classes at St Andrews, Scotland. While working towards his graduate degrees, he also qualified as a certificated teacher of Scottish country dance. He has been active with the youth group in Toronto, and has taught at workshops and special events.   

Level 3 dances in the Hurndale Room on lower level of the church on a springy wood floor.

East End United 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 Beginner Classes begin in September

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 any RSCDS Toronto Event.

2. Masks are recommended but not mandatory.

3. Please do not attend any RSCDS Toronto event with symptoms of covid nor other contagious disease; nor if you tested positive for covid in the last 7 days; or a household member or close contact has tested positive for covid in the last 7 days.

4. Hand Sanitizer is available at all RSCDS Toronto Events.