Username: bree_dancer
Why did you choose your username? Well my nickname is Bree and I’m a dancer. I was a teenager and didn't really have much creativity I guess.
Name: Brianna
Member since: 2005
Years Dancing: I have danced Highland for 8 years
Age: 23
Board: BATD
What tartan do you wear for your kilt, and is there a specific reason why you chose it? I wear Dress Turquoise Lennox with a black jacket. I needed a second hand kilt and this was the only one I found that fit perfectly. Luck was obviously on my side because I love the colour and I think it suits me.
Tell us a bit about your other costumes.
Do you wear a white dress or an Aboyne for nationals? I have a Saskatchewan tartan Aboyne with a green vest.
What colour is your jig dress? I wear a white peasant blouse with a green skirt and red cummerbund. I also wear green jig shoes with red laces.
What colour is your hornpipe outfit? Navy
What brand of Ghillies do you wear? Hullachan Pro’s
What is the name of your school and teacher? I go to the MacMurchy School of Highland Dance and my teacher is Maggie MacMurchy
How/when did you know you wanted to be a dancer? My mom started me in dance at age 5 and I took to it quite well. She put me in Highland when I was 7 and I really loved it.
Why did you choose highland? My mom put me in Highland because she did it as a child. I really love the challenge and strength it takes to succeed. I am also Scottish and I like being able to celebrate my heritage through dance.
Do you take, or have you taken, any other forms of dance? I took a break from Highland for 10 years and danced lyrical, jazz, hip hop, modern and tap. I also danced varsity at my university for 2 years.
What makes you love Highland dance? I love the challenges you face in order to improve, I love to compete, I love the highland dance community and I love the sound of bagpipes!
If you could describe your dancing in only 1 word, what would it be? Sharp
Do you compete? If so, what level are you in? I just started back this summer and I am in Intermediate
When is your next competition (if applicable)? Uxbridge (I am also going to Glengarry and Montreal the following weekend)
How do you think you'll do there? Well, I hope. The nature of competition is that you never know who you are up against!
What has been your most memorable competition moment? I competed at the Haliburton Highland Games around the age of 12. My mom decided to make a comeback after not dancing for 30 years. She won the trophy in her age group and then I did as well for mine. It was nice sharing a successful day of dancing with my mom.
What has been your most memorable non-competitive achievement? I remember being so proud of myself for getting highly commended on my very first Highland exam.
Do you remember your first competition and how you did there? I was 8 years old with only 4 months of dancing and I placed 2nd in my fling. That was also the one and only competition I have ever kicked the sword. I finished the dance, ran off, and cried. I learned my lesson though…always look at the sword!
What do you enjoy most about competitions? I love meeting new people, dancing my best and of course placing.
Do you have any superstitions? I always have to drink a Tim Horton’s Ice Capp! I think the caffeine gives me an extra little boost of energy.
What is the most difficult thing for you about Highland? I have nice turnout…but keeping it there for the entire dance I find to be difficult.
What's the easiest? Shedding
What are your best and favourite steps? My favourite steps are all of the fling steps. The fling is my best dance by far…but who doesn't love the jig!
What are your worst and least favourite? The leap step in the ST
Anything you are still working on? I am always working on something. Definitely maintaining my turnout throughout the entire dance. Stamina.
Do you ever feel the pressure to quit? I just got back into it! I’m not going anywhere
What are your favourite dances? Fling, Sword and jig
How often do you take class? Usually just once a week since I travel 1.5 hrs to get my lesson. If I have some extra time I try to go twice.
How frequently do you practice? Depending on how bad my shin splints are I try to practice at least an hour a day.
What do you generally work on when you practice on your own? I tend to pick one dance and break each step down. Work through it slow, speed it up and put it together.
Do your friends and family support your dancing? Absolutely.
Do you hang out with your dance friends outside the studio? I’m a lot older then the other girls at the dance school but I always hang out with them at the games.
Approximately how many times per year does your dance school perform? 10+? I haven’t performed with them much yet.
Does your school hold a recital? Yes
If so, what does it generally consist of? Lots of different dancers and different dances then celebrate the end of the year with a Ceilidh
Would you rather have a strict or an easy-going teacher? A little bit of both is great. You want someone who will push your limits but you also want someone you can have a good laugh with.
How would you describe YOUR teacher? She is wonderful. Everything I want in a teacher she has.
Who are your dance idols? Everyone who dances in championship competitions are my ‘idols’. They work hard and are amazing in every little way. Locally, I am in awe every time I see Georgina Muir dance. She is so graceful and precise.
What has been your most embarrassing dance moment? During an examination my ankle gave out. I fell flat on the floor and scared the other dancers around me. I got up and kept going and still got highly commended!
If someone completely unfamiliar with Highland dancing asked you why you did it, what would you tell them? It is so much fun and it is a great workout!
May we have a peek inside your dance bag? Sure! In my practice bag I have a pair of shorts, a t-shirt, Ghillies, jig shoes, notebook and a water bottle. In my garment bag I have my kilt, jacket, dickie, socks, bobby pins, safety pins, and my dance card.
What other activities do you have besides dancing? I race downhill mountain bikes for the Spider Riders in Collingwood.
Have you ever taken a break from dancing? Sadly I have, I took 10 years off. I regret it now that I am older and wiser.
Have you ever had to overcome any problems to get to where you are today? Starting back into highland dancing took its toll on my wallet. I have had to get all new everything and highland attire is far from cheap.
Describe your ideal dance class. Warm up, dance through all highland dances, maybe throw in a jig or some of my favourite national dances, and end it with a warm down. I always love to learn something new in every class so maybe a lesson on a new step or a new technique.
Do any of your dance friends/class mates go on DDN? I know some of the mom’s do but I don’t think any of the dancers do.
What’s your biggest regret? Taking 10 years off from Highland
If you were told you could no longer dance after today, what would you do? Probably cry…for a long time
And how would you spend this last day? I love to compete so spending that day competing would be the best!
Thanks for another great interview!
Catherine 
