Lessons for Beginners & Improvers

 

RSCDS Toronto offers classes for adults of all ages and dance abilities, whether you’re just beginning, or have danced for decades. Come join us and share the wonderful experience of Scottish country dance!

Classes are in three locations around the GTA. Teachers are accredited by the Royal Scottish Country Dance Society, Edinburgh. RSCDS Toronto is a not-for-profit affiliate of the Society.

▶︎  Fall and Winter Sessions each run 10 weeks, for 2hrs per class. Base cost last season was $150, but Members and 1st-Timers qualified for a discount. Given current circumstances, it’s not jet clear that will be same for the new season. Costs, dates, and teachers will be announced late summer.

More info and a pre-registration form will be posted here as soon as details are available (late Summer).


Questions? . . . contact:  Anne Bishop:  anne.e.bishop@outlook.com or 647.234-4631

Beginners, Monday evenings — North End (Yonge & St Clair)


Monday evenings 7:30 - 9:30pm   at Calvin Presbyterian Church,
26 Delisle Avenue  (Yonge & St Clair) <map>

Beginner dancers learn five basic steps of Scottish country dance and a variety of formations. These elements are combined in simple dances that incorporate steps and formations taught.

Teacher confirmation and other details announced mid summer.



Beginners, Monday evenings — West End (Etobicoke)


Mondays 7:30 - 9:30pm
Alderwood Conventional Centre, 2 Orianna Drive, Etobicoke
    (near Brown’s Line & Queen Elizabeth Way) <map> 

Beginner dancers learn five basic steps of Scottish country dance and a variety of formations. These elements are combined in simple dances that incorporate steps and formations taught.

Teacher confirmation and other details announced mid summer.

Beginners, Tuesday evenings — Central (Danforth near Chester Station)


Tuesdays 7:30 - 9:30 pm
at St Barnabas on the Danforth Anglican Church,
361 Danforth Avenue, M4K 1P1  <map>

Beginner dancers learn five basic steps of Scottish country dance and a variety of formations. These elements are combined in simple dances that incorporate steps and formations taught.

Teacher confirmation and other details announced mid summer.


Level 2 Classes (Improvers) ~ Tuesdays ~ Central Toronto (St Barnabas)


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

INFO AND TEACHER SUBJECT TO CHANGE — 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. 

Teacher confirmation and other details announced mid summer.

Reception Room: St Barnabas Church, 361 Danforth Ave <map>
(Chester subway)  Enter church from west side, via Hampton Ave; cross playground; straight ahead thru black arched door; turn right at top of stairs; walk to last door on right.

Class Co-ordinator: Anne Bishop   416.466-4631


Extension Classes (Level 2) ~ Monday Evenings  ~ West End  (Etobicoke)
    NOTE: These classes are offered after Beginner Classes are complete


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

INFO AND TEACHER SUBJECT TO CHANGE — These classes start after completion of September beginner classes. They 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.

Teacher: Arlene Koteff, Arlene Chair was designated a Teacher of Scottish country dance it St Andrews, Scotland, and is currently Chair of RSCDS Toronto.

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

Extension Classes  ~ Tuesdays ~ Central Toronto  (St Barnabas on Danforth)
   NOTE: These classes are offered after Beginner Classes are complete


Tuesdays: 7:30 - 9:30pm —   St Barnabas on The Danforth Anglican Church <map>

INFO AND TEACHER SUBJECT TO CHANGE —
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 and David Booz

Extension Classes: Upper Hall, St Barnabas Church, 361 Danforth Ave  <map>  
(Chester subway station)

Class Co-ordinator: Anne Bishop   416.466-4631



Level 3 Class (Advanced) ~ Monday Evenings~ North Toronto  (Calvin Church)


INFO AND TEACHER SUBJECT TO CHANGE — These Spring classes build on the skill base of experienced dancers.  New formations and dances offer 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.   

Calvin Presbyterian has a 65-yr history of hosting Scottish country dancing. The room has a good wood floor, and the church is handy to the subway (5-minute walk north from St Clair Station). There is Green P Parking just next door.

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: Anne Bishop   416.466-4631




 

New Beginner classes begin in early September

Think about Membership. . .

Members get a discount on classes (and other events), but there are broader reasons to become a Member of RSCDS Toronto.

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 difficulty and expense), the testing and publication of dances, and the production of CDs for the music we dance to.

Plus, Members 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. You will receive our monthly newsletter Set & Link and twice a year you’ll get Scottish Country Dancer magazine directly from Scotland.

Safety First…

Emergency Contact: 

Occasionally, there’s a medical emergency while dancing. Dancers are reminded to have their emergency contact information on their person at all Scottish county dance events.


COVID Protocols: 

1. Vaccinations against COVID are highly recommended for those attending an RSCDS Toronto Event.

2. Masks are recommended but not mandatory.

  1. 3.Do not attend an RSCDS Toronto event if:
    • you have symptoms of COVID or any other contagious disease;
    • you tested positive for COVID in the last
    7 days;
    • any close contact tested positive for COVID in the last 7 days.

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