tartan hearts highland dance
Scottish Highland Dancing • Uniquely Boosts Brain Power, Shapes Strong Bodies, & Builds Character!
Why Scottish Highland Dancing?
"With so many choices of activities and sports available for children, Highland dance is one that provides enduring benefits that reach far beyond learning the traditional dances of Scotland.
Considered both a sport and an art form, Highland dance builds strong and flexible bodies, improves agility, coordination and balance and increases bone density. More importantly Highland dance imparts lessons that last a lifetime. Dancers learn goal-setting, self-discipline, resilience, and adaptability."
-- Raising the Barre, A Research-Based Guide to Teaching Highland Dancing
Scottish Highland dancing is the perfect combination of art and sport. It combines the technical elements, grace, and beauty of dance with the strength and coordination found in the competitive aspects of sport. You do not have to be of Scottish heritage to participate in this form of dance. Whether your interest is in performing or competing, Highland dancing is for you! Boys and girls of all ages and skill levels perform and compete together throughout the year at local, national, and international events.
Wearing the traditional kilt and dancing to bagpipe music, your child will develop the skills that will give them valuable experiences that can have a positive impact throughout their lives.
Scottish Highland dancing boosts brain power!
Hard wires brain for learning
Increases intelligence
Improves memory
Develops Right/Left Brain Neural Pathways
Helps Attention Disorders
Increases ability to concentrate
Children who choose to do Highland Dancing tend to excel in school because it is one of the very few activities that use cross-lateral integration exclusively to perform movements. This practice significantly improves reading and math skills.
Highland Dancing Builds Strong Bodies!
Increases bone density
Builds muscular strength
Improves Coordination
Increases Balance
Develops Flexibility
Improves Motor Skills
Raises Agility Level
Fosters Strong Cardiovascular System
Improves Posture
Has Cross Over Effect for Other Sports and Other Activities
Scottish Highland Dancing Builds Character!
Promotes quality family time
Opportunities to travel
Fosters lifelong friendships
Teaches sportsmanship and coach-ability
Builds self-confidence
Opportunities for scholarships in dance and in higher education
Strengthens work ethic, diligence, and precision
Offers goal-setting opportunities and reachable goals
competition & performance
Competition is at the heart of Highland dancing and all dancers are encouraged to compete. The skills acquired through competition and performance are invaluable in life and are a large part of what makes Highland dancers and alumni into successful lawyers, medical professionals, engineers, educators, published authors, clergy, first responders, elected officials and members of professional dance companies.
studio location
Our classes are held at Sierra 2 Center in the Curtis Park neighborhood of Sacramento. Featuring professional dance floors, a ballet barre, and full-length mirror, the studio provides and excellent in-class experience.
Sierra 2 Center
2791 24th St, Sacramento, CA 95818
Getting Started
New Students
There are a few requirements before joining our dance school.
Potential students must:
Be potty-trained
Be able to consistently hop on one foot
Have previous experience in a class setting of some kind.
If you have a very young dancer, we recommend a basic ballet and movement class to get them used to both being in a dance class environment and learning to move.
For older dancers, no dance experience is specifically required.
required items for lessons
Dance Class Required Items
For the first few classes, dancers need:
A water bottle
White knee socks
Scottish dancing ghillies OR black ballet shoes
A leotard or tight top, so body alignment is clear
Hair off the face, preferably in a bun
Generally, if the dancer has a "uniform" to wear to dance class, they will feel more professional and mentally focused. Ideally, this is designed to be free of distractions and help the dancer's technique.
Classes are offered for dancers of experience levels:
Celtic Cuties (dancers age 6 & under)
Beginner (new dancers with less than 6 competitive wins)
Adult Beginner (for dancers 16 & over who are new Beginners)
Novice (competitive dancers with 6 wins)
Intermediate (competitive dancers with 12 wins)
Premier (the highest competitive level)