Teachers

Angela Young - Very Advanced AM, Ladies Step and also Musician for Advanced PM

Angela was born and brought up in Aberdeen, Scotland – she 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. Angela grew up surrounded by music & dancing – her mum is a Scottish Country Dance teacher, and her dad played the accordion.

Angela took her RSCDS teaching certificates – her Prelim in Aberdeen and then her Full Certificate near London, when she moved there for work. As a teenager she taught Highland dancing at her local dancing school, and was involved in teaching at children’s Scottish Country Dance classes in Aberdeen.

While in London she has taught both adult and children’s classes for the Branch, including the Demonstration Team. As well as teaching day and weekend schools in the UK and Europe, Angela has 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.

Andrew Nolan - Advanced PM and also Musician for Very Advanced AM

Originally from West London, Andrew learned to dance at a local children's class from an early age and it has stuck ever since. Although not from a particularly musical family, he developed a keen interest in Scottish music from childhood and now plays for Scottish Country dancing as well as enjoying dancing himself. Andrew moved to study Chemistry at the University of Edinburgh and currently is working towards his PhD in Medicinal Chemistry.

While in Edinburgh, Andrew gained his Teaching Certificate in 2010 and his Part 2 in 2012. He taught a four day course in Voronezh, Russia and in Canada at the Ottawa weekend as well as keeping up his teaching in the UK. In addition to teaching, Andrew plays regularly for classes in Edinburgh and at Summer School in St Andrews including both parts of the Teaching Certificate. In the course of his playing, he has travelled as far as the New Zealand Summer School as well as many events in continental Europe.

Aside from teaching and playing, Andrew is actively involved in Edinburgh Branch and is excited to be involved in Spring Fling London 2015.

Heather Cowan - Beginners/ Improvers AM and Very Advanced PM

Heather Cowan danced in the London demonstration team in 2005 before returning to Scotland where she joined the Glasgow demonstration team.

Heather has been at Summer School for 5 of the last 7 years, initially to take and pass her Units 2 and 3 and Unit 5 teaching certificates (the latter in 2009) and then to teach firstly the taster session in 2010 and then week 3 in 2012 and 2013.

Heather's personal dancing highlights are meeting the Queen at Buckingham Palace in 2011 on behalf of the RSCDS at an event supporting young people in performing arts and dancing in the youth team (while 20 weeks pregnant) in 2013 at Holyrood Palace in an audience with the Queen to present the Diamond Jubilee book.

Heather has always been a strong supporter of youth in dancing and was at the forefront of hosting Spring Fling in Glasgow in 2008.

Rachel Shankland - Advanced AM, Beginners/ Improvers PM and Birling

Rachel began dancing near 20 years ago at her local children's class in Dumfries. Since then she has danced for a number of groups throughout Central Scotland including the RSCDS Youth team.

Rachel completed her teaching certificate in Edinburgh in 2012 and since then has taught regularly at her local classes in Dumfries as well as classes further afield and children's day schools.

Rachel is no stranger to Spring Fling having attended most of them since she turned 16. She also helped organise Spring Fling Edinburgh 2011 and is currently a member of the RSCDS Youth Services Committee which oversees the running of Spring Fling.

Rachel is delighted to have been asked to teach at Spring Fling London 2015 and cannot wait to see the energy and talent which all the young dancers will bring.

Kathleen Gilbert - Highland Dancing PM

This year marks Kathleen’s 20th year of teaching highland dance. Starting highland at the age of 7, she never thought highland would turn into a career. As a trained school teacher, Kathleen also teaches, lectures, and judges highland around the world. Growing up as a competitive dancer in Western Canada, Kathleen had many opportunities to attend both local and international competitions. Directing choreography and storytelling through dance (including ballet, tap, jazz, modern and ballroom) and musical theatre is another passion of Kathleen’s.

As a Fellow with the SDTA (Scottish Dance Teachers Alliance), Kathleen passes on the traditions of highland dance while preparing her students for exams and competitions. In 2010 she was admitted to the SOBHD (Scottish Official Board of Highland Dancing) Judge's Panel and she also serves as the secretary for the HDTAE (Highland Dance Teachers Associations on England).

Highland dancing has given Kathleen unexpected treats from dancing for Queen Elizabeth II to teaching an MTV host how to do the Fling. Last season she was brought in to teach Torvill & Dean authentic Scottish Highland moves to aid in choreography for their ITV show: Dancing on Ice. While these adventures are a thrill, she truly loves the grind of working in the studio with dancers, striving for technical perfection.

Gillian Frew - Sunday morning activity

Gillian has been Scottish Country dancing since the age of 12, first starting at her local adults class with her mum. From there dancing has provided a multitude of opportunities from teaching international students at the University of Glasgow to dancing with the RSCDS Youth team at the opening of the Scottish Parliament.

Gillian was part of the team who organised Spring Fling Glasgow 2008 and has attended a number of Youth events organised by the RSCDS. After university Gillian travelled, taking her dance shoes with her, and danced in Australia, Japan and taught and danced in New Zealand. Gillian gained her Teachers Certificate at Summer School 2012.

Since moving from Glasgow to London, Gillian has danced with the RSCDS London Demonstration team. She is excited to be part of the organising team for Spring Fling 2015 and is very much looking forward to a great weekend of dance and fun.