Edited by hylndlas (107168) on 2010-10-11 17:52:53 .
Edited by hylndlas (107168) on 2010-10-11 17:53:04 .
Edited by hylndlas (107168) on 2010-10-11 17:53:30 .
Username: jiggy_jen
Why did you choose your username? It describes me nicely – I’m always dancing about
Name: Jen McMahon
Member since: 2007
Years Dancing: nearly 29
Age: 31
Board: UKA
What tartan do you wear for your kilt, and is there a specific reason why you chose it? Dress blue Lindsay with green waistcoat – no real reason apart from I fancied green, and I bought it from an ex pupil and it fitted very well.
Tell us a bit about your other costumes.
Do you wear a white dress or an Aboyne for nationals? Aboyne 1 in Scottish Rugby Union tartan (the last outfit that my mum made) and 1 in dress purple Milne
What colour is your jig dress? green
What colour is your hornpipe outfit? Navy – too scared by white, I can’t keep things clean
What brand of Ghillies do you wear? Toe and Heel Golds, but do have an old pair of Hullachan pros that I can’t part with.
What is the name of your school and teacher? I no longer take classes in highland and run my own school. My teacher was Miss Peggy MacDonald.
How/when did you know you wanted to be a dancer? My mum sent me on my 3rd birthday, so I didn’t really pick – but all these years on I still love it and hope to dance til my legs just won’t.
Why did you choose highland? As above my mum sent me, glad she did
Do you take, or have you taken, any other forms of dance? Did a tap/modern/jazz/st class but after a year figured out that I just couldn’t keep up with the rest of the girls who were some 15years younger than me – so joined the Adult tap/modern/toning class.
What makes you love Highland dance? the style, grace and energy needed. Nothing beats a swinging kilt
If you could describe your dancing in only 1 word, what would it be? fun
Do you compete? If so, what level are you in? Not any more, started at 12 and stopped at 18 after reaching premier.
What has been your most memorable competition moment? Getting 3rd in the first aid tent – the highland games at Kirriemuir in beginners aged 13. I’d danced really well and won the over-all for the age group, I happily danced up to collect my cup bumping into a huge 2ft metal tent peg on the way. Took my bow with the group of other prize winners. My friends face was a treat – not one of delight but horror. Shouting “oh my goodness where is all that blood coming from” oh that will be the huge cut on my leg, and placed third in the queue in the first aid tent. May not the best memory but one remains stuck in my head.
What has been your most memorable non-competitive achievement? Watching my pupils take part in their first outdoor performance at Stirling Castle and good number of years ago
Do you remember your first competition and how you did there? It was far too long ago
What do you enjoy most about competitions? The giggles had with the people you chat to.
Do you have any superstitions? Not really, I don’t have lucky pants
What is the most difficult thing for you about Highland? Finding time, full time mum and shift worker is hard to co-ordinate
What's the easiest? Who said highland was easy? Having fun with my pupils and dancing friends
What are your best and favourite steps? Best I’m not sure but love the rock step
What are your worst and least favourite? Worse backstep without a doubt, least favourite anything requiring a leap – the old legs struggle
Anything you are still working on? Everything lol
Do you ever feel the pressure to quit? no
What are your favourite dances? Jig, choreographs
How often do you take class? Teach alternate Sunday; do tap/toning once a week
How frequently do you practice? When ever I get 2 minutes spare
What do you generally work on when you practice on your own? Stamina, elevation
Do your friends and family support your dancing? Yeah. My mum helps with my classes and my wee boy runs about shouting “mummy dancing” and “mummy I dance”. One of my friends from school now brings her daughter to my class and is amazed at the amount of time and work needed.
Do you hang out with your dance friends outside the studio? I live about 40miles from where I hold my classes so I have a huge phone bill keeping in touch with my friends.
Approximately how many times per year does your dance school perform? 4 or 5
Does your school hold a recital? Yes – annual prize giving show
If so, what does it generally consist of? A bit of everything - standard dances, choreographs and parent participation (they have a dislike for this bit)
Would you rather have a strict or an easy-going teacher? strict
How would you describe YOUR teacher? Very strict but worth it – as for my style I’m a bit more relaxed
Who are your dance idols? Way too many inspirational dancers out there to name
What has been your most embarrassing dance moment? During a school performance, the Velcro of my Aboyne skirt started to part, about 10 seconds in to the dance, so instead of dancing holding my skirt out, I curtseyed and put my hands on my waist in hope that my skirt would remain in place. I made it to the end of the dance with a skirt and without a swear word muttered.
If someone completely unfamiliar with Highland dancing asked you why you did it, what would you tell them? It's part of the Scottish culture and being here is not so sunny Scotland need to keep it alive.
May we have a peek inside your dance bag? I have a box I take to class: theory books, register, i-pod and docking station, money box, safety pins, hair stuff, 2 x dancing pumps (only one are mine), elastic, snack for the long afternoon, silly amount of pens, and keys for the hall.
What other activities do you have besides dancing? I used to do martial arts – karate and Muay Thai, but has been replaced by toddler swimming and trips to soft play lol
Have you ever taken a break from dancing? Yes, just 3 months when I was expecting my wee boy
Have you ever had to overcome any problems to get to where you are today? Not really
Describe your ideal dance class. I love my Uni Ted Class (under 5’s) class because it’s silly and crazy. But it all pays off because the girls remember the movements and steps eg – our arms/hand are just like Santa’s reindeer, and your toes need to turn out because the right foot can’t stand the smell of the left foot.
Do any of your dance friends/class mates go on DDN? None that I know of, but have made a few along the way
What’s your biggest regret? Waiting so long to start competitions
If you were told you could no longer dance after today, what would you do? Cry
And how would you spend this last day? Dancing
Thanks for the interview!
Catherine 
