87th Cleveland Pipe Band

Our affiliated dancing academy, operated by award-winning Highland Dancer Kathleen Crawley Donnelly, has been serving the needs of highland dancers all over Northeast Ohio for over 20 years. Her Highland Dancing program has proved to be one of the most successful in the region. Though the school has produced numerous champion dancers since it's inception in 1983, they all started with the first lesson.

Classes are offered weekly, and dancers are divided into groups of similar ages and ability levels to better facilitate the learning of new material. For those that may need a little extra attention, private lessons are available by appointment. We pride ourselves on our professional attitude, caring and patient teaching style, and relaxed, fun atmosphere.

Dancers are encouraged to enter Highland Dancing competitions, where they will have the chance to travel both regionally, nationally, and internationally, competing against their peers. Additionally, groups of dancers may have opportunities to perform with the 87th Cleveland Pipe Band at certain band functions (such as our Annual Band Dance), as well as other local engagements. But the #1 reason kids love Highland Dancing? They have fun!

Interested? Why not take that first step today?

For more information on Highland Dancing lessons,
Please contact Kathleen Crawley Donnelly at
440-238-9564 or cleve87th@aol.com

Kathleen Donnelly is a current MEMBER in good standing of the BATD (British Association of Teachers of Dancing), as well as the MWHDA (Midwest Highland Dancing Association) and FUSTA (Federation of United States Teachers and Adjudicators).

1.	Who is a candidate for Highland Dancing? Can my daughter start with no prior dancing experience? Of course she can. Most of the students in the program begin with the first step. Some instructors even prefer brand new students, since they usually have no bad habits to overcome. The only way to learn anything well is to start from the beginning.
2.	Is my daughter too young to start Highland Dancing lessons? What is the minimum age? While there is no "minimum" age to begin lessons, the right time to start depends a lot upon the child, parents and the instructor. Students can start as young as four years old. Generally, a good age to start in this program would be between five and eight years old. At this age, the new student will have the tools to communicate well, the attention to focus, and the ability to absorb new lesson material. However, students can begin dancing after age eight, well into their teens.
3.	How do I know that my Highland Dancing Instructor is qualified to teach my child? Can't anyone teach Highland Dancing? To instruct Highland Dancing, a teacher must meet certain criteria (unlike piping and drumming instructors, who are currently not governed at all). In order to be qualified as an Instructor of Highland Dancing, one must adhere to strict guidelines and be certified by a governing body. The British Association of Teachers of Dance (BATD) is one governing body of the Highland Dancing world. To become a certified instructor, the candidate must pass several exams. Examiners from the BATD travel from Scotland to administer the detailed exam. Instructors are required to maintain an up-to-date teaching certificate, issued by the BATD. Additionally, no Highland Dancer is allowed to compete without a Registered Instructor. If your Highland Dance Instructor meets these criteria, you can rest assured the instructor is qualified.
4.	How long will it take my child to learn Highland Dancing (from step one) and be able to enter a competition? Obviously, the time it takes for a brand new student to progress enough to enter a competition varies greatly from dancer to dancer. Most children take at least one year from the time they start until they are ready to compete. Of course, this is only an average, and with the right combination of talent, commitment and instruction, the aspiring dancer can achieve her goals more quickly.
5.	Are there other students my child's age in the program as well? There probably are several students your child's age. Currently, there are several students in the program, ranging in age from six to seventeen. Since dancers are divided into groups with other dancers of similar age and ability, students will learn among their peers, adding to the enjoyment of dancing.
6.	My daughter has been taking dancing lessons (in tap, jazz and ballet) elsewhere for a number of years now. Will she still have to start at the bottom? Though many students start Highland Dancing with no prior experience, any skills learned in any form of dance will only help. The art of Highland Dancing is definitely a unique one, but children may pick up steps more quickly with a background in dance. As with most other skills, the best way to learn is to start at step one. With a solid background in other forms of dancing, a student can progress very quickly.
7.	Does my daughter have to compete once she learns Highland Dancing? Are there other performance opportunities? Yes, there are. Though most Highland Dancers are driven by goals in competitions, there are other avenues of performance. For instance, Highland Dancers may have the opportunity to perform with an affiliated pipe band, such as the 87th, at functions like our Annual Band Dance and other performances. Additionally, dancers may have opportunities to perform at private engagements with small ensembles of pipers and drummers, public band performances, and other events.
8.	If my child enrolls in Kathleen Crawley Donnelly's Highland Dancing School, does she have to be affiliated with the 87th Cleveland Pipe Band? No. Though the school is affiliated with the 87th, it is operated independently. Dancers are not required to perform at band functions. Though we welcome all dancers into the 87th family and participation and performance in our events and functions is encouraged, it is never mandatory.

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