CREATING Connections and Opportunities FOR ADULT HIGHLAND DANCERS to thrive

Taking Scottish dance *and* culture to our community

Formed in the spring of 2013, *Shot of Scotch Vancouver* is a **non-profit society dedicated to honouring and expanding the Highland dance tradition** through **performance and education**.

**Through Highland Dance, Shot of Scotch Vancouver:**
— Forges new paths of expression and artistic experimentation
— Fosters meaningful relationships that strengthen communities
— Fires up dancers as they develop their skills and talent
With imaginative performances and unrivaled classes, **we engage and inspire diverse local, national, and international audiences on an emotional level.**

“We create new, exciting, and contemporary highland dance pieces that maintain a high standard of technique while remaining true to its centuries-old Scottish roots.”

As a cultural and arts ambassador based in Vancouver BC, we establish community connections and opportunities that allow adult Highland dancers to thrive beyond their competitive careers.

These connections have led to collaborations with:

CELTIC PARTNERSHIPS

Alasdair Fraser & Natalie Haas | Visit →
Jocelyn Pettit | Visit →
The Vancouver Police Pipe Band | Visit →
The Seaforth Highlanders | Visit →
RCMP Division “E” Pipes and Drums | Visit →
Celtic band Blackthorn | Visit →
Vancouver Fiddle Orchestra | Visit →

CROSS-CULTURAL PARTNERSHIPS

Royal Academy of Punjab | Visit →
Skud Zavicaj Serbian dancers | Visit →
Onibana Taiko | Visit →
Eire Born Irish Dance Company | Visit →

We’ve been featured in

Our Leadership Team

Executive & Artistic Director

— Susan Nase

Susan Nase is a Highland dancer, singer, tap dancer and engineer from Saskatoon SK. Susan was a competitive Highland dancer for over 15 years, competing at the provincial, national and world level championships and became a certified teacher with the Scottish Dance Teachers Alliance in 1997.

While living in New York City in 2011, Susan co-founded Shot of Scotch NYC and upon moving to Vancouver in 2012, co-founded the new branch in her home country of Canada.

Board of Directors

President — Jacqueline Fehr

Vice President — Tavia Cosper

Treasurer — Nicole Lougheed

Secretary — Amanda Bergen

Member at Large — Paula Caird

Our COmpany Dancers

Company Dancers

Danielle

Name
— Danielle Senyk

Hometown
— New Westminster, BC

Favourite Highland Dance Memory
— Dancing a Highland Fling on the Great Wall of China, and then getting kicked out!

Random and Mostly True Fact
— Self proclaimed absolute "crazy cat lady" (Although we don't think it's crazy!)

Emily

Name
— Emily Garland

Hometown
— Tsawwassen, BC

Favourite Highland Dance Memory
— Dancing in the Pacific Tattoo in Victoria in 2013

Random and Mostly True Fact
— She took a class on dinosaurs in university, and will now happily share random dinosaur facts at any time!

Keltie

Name
— Keltie Laidlaw

Hometown
— Uxbridge, ON

Favourite Highland Dance Memory
— Travelling to Antigonish, Nova Scotia for the Canadian Championships.

Random and Mostly True Fact
— She can’t live without Tim Horton’s steeped tea!

Diandra

Name
— Diandra Norburn

Hometown
— Quesnel & Merritt, BC

Favourite Highland Dance Memory
— Going to dance camps in the summer, dancing all day and staying in the dorms.

Random and Mostly True Fact
— She looks forward to Hot Chocolate Fest every year and keeps track of all the flavours she manages to try!

Jessie

Name
— Jessie Prevec

Hometown
— Hamilton, ON

Favourite Highland Dance Memory
— Dancing for Queen Elizabeth II at Balmoral

Random and Mostly True Fact
— She loves ocean dips throughout the winter!

Nicola

Name
— Nicola Van Der Mark

Hometown
— Port Coquitlam, BC

Favourite Highland Dance Memory
— Running around backstage with dance friends at her annual year-end shows.

Random and Mostly True Fact
— Nicola likes to end most nights with a scoop of ice cream, preferably from a local ice cream shop!