Teachers' Conference (AGM) Teachers 2013

Jimmie_Hill

Jimmie Hill

Jimmie Hill lives in Edinburgh, but comes from the Isle of Cumbrae on Scotland’s west coast. A graduate of Edinburgh University, he taught English as a foreign language in Sweden for six years before embarking on a career in educational publishing in the UK. He is the author of several books on the teaching of English. Since returning to Scotland ten years ago he has been teaching English in one of Edinburgh’s state schools.

Jimmie learned the basics of Scottish country dancing at school. He took his teaching certificates at Summer School in St Andrews. He has taught classes at all levels. For the past four years he has taught the demonstration class of the Edinburgh University SCD club, entering teams for competions, as well as a Beginners class and the Very Advanced class in Edinburgh Branch.

Jimmie taught for a number of years at St Andrews Summer School. He has taught day and weekend schools throughout the UK and in Europe. He has taught Thistle Summer School four times. In 2007 he was responsible for teaching Scottish country dancing to the finalists in the American TV series American Princess.

For many years Jimmie was closely involved in the RSCDS: he was on the Executive Council; he served on numerous RSCDS committees; he served twice on the Management Board; he was the founding editor of Scottish Country Dancer and has contributed many articles to it; he organised the publication of The Kandahar Reel and wrote the accompanying booklet; his dance The Dancers’ Wedding was published in Book 41; he is the current editor of the TAS (Teachers Association Scotland) Newsletter; he taught the AGM class in Aberdeen in November 2012; he helps organise The Millport Weekend every May on the Isle of Cumbrae. Jimmie is very interested in doing research into the early history of Scottish country dancing. While living in England he became interested in Regency quadrilles. He is a keen sailor and restorer of wooden boats.

Angela-sm

Angela Young

Born and brought up in Aberdeen, Scotland – I started dancing at a very early age, learning Scottish Country Dancing, Ballet, Tap & Highland. This was quickly followed by piano lessons from the age of four. I grew up surrounded by music & dancing – my mum is a Scottish Country Dance teacher, and my dad played the accordion. I went to Aberdeen University where I studied Music and English Literature. My degree also included Scottish Literature and Media Criticism leading to an interview and the start of my career at the BBC.

When I was 18, I attended one of the first musicians’ courses run by the RSCDS, and was then invited to play at Summer School in St Andrews by the course tutors Muriel Johnstone and Robert Mackay. Since then I have played yearly at St Andrews, and have been the Director of the Musicians Course. I have also played for Day Schools and Weekends in the UK and across Europe, and have led Musicians’ Workshops.

Alongside playing – I took my RSCDS teaching certificates – my Prelim in Aberdeen and then my Full Certificate near London, when I moved there for work. As a teenager I had taught Highland dancing at my local dancing school, and had been involved in teaching at children’s Scottish Country Dance classes in Aberdeen.

While in London I have taught both adults’ and children’s classes for the Branch, including the Demonstration Team. As well as teaching day and weekend schools in the UK and Europe, I have taught at the RSCDS Summer and Winter School, in Toronto, at the San Francisco Weekend School in Asilomar and at the New Zealand Summer School.

Training teams for Festivals and Competitions across the UK, I have also choreographed displays for a variety of events and spaces including London’s Trafalgar Square and the Royal Albert Hall.

Favourite and memorable experiences –

as a choreographer putting together a winning display in 2010 with diverse, exciting music that just fitted every step and movement,

aged 10 reminding my Festival partner that we had to join in Wild Geese from 4^th place before the adjudicator noticed,

dancing in Anna Holden’s class at St Andrews and finding the depth and stretch in my strathspey travelling – I can still hear her voice reminding me…..

playing 2 pianos for a London dance with my husband, Graham and just wishing there were more dances on the programme!