Please note that class sizes are LIMITED and is currently closed for 2026. Contact us to be placed on a waiting list.
We will emphasize the importance of proper warm-ups and stretches as well as cool downs to keep in condition. Daily classes will include basic technique in all levels. Championship steps will be reviewed thoroughly in the Intermediate and Premier classes. One Highland dance will be taught each day with general review on the last morning. National dances will also be taught each day at all levels with a general review on the last morning. We will also be teaching theory in all levels every day in regular classes.
It is mandatory that each student arrive in top physical condition! Students must begin to increase their practice time in the months PRIOR to the start of School. It is imperative students be able to dance for 45-minutes for four times a day. By increasing strength and stamina before arriving at OSAS, injuries will be prevented.
The Ohio Scottish Arts School is pleased to be able to offer BATD Highland and National Medal Tests and Grade Examinations. These tests will be given the morning of Sunday, June 28, 2026. The 2026 Medal Test Form is now available here. Medal Test Forms must be received by June 20, 2026. Medal Test fees are non-refundable.
Highland Teacher Training
Teacher training in Highland will be offered every afternoon during OSAS for those interested in preparing for Professional exams. This class requires an additional fee. Please see the Registration page.
The Margaret C. Callander Endowed Chair for Highland Dancing
Established in 1998 on the occasion of the 20th anniversary of the Ohio Scottish Arts School, the Margaret C. Callander Endowed Chair for Highland Dancing acknowledges the many contributions of Margaret C. Callander to Scottish cultural activities in Ohio and elsewhere, and in particular her contributions to SACSO, the purpose of which is to provide a guaranteed fund to ensure that a world-class teacher of Highland Dancing will be retained annually to teach at the Ohio Scottish Arts School.
The following are recipients of this honor to date:
| 1999 Betty Sutherland | 2009 Reinvested | 2019 Elizabeth Gollan |
| 2000 Betty Sutherland | 2010 Elizabeth Coyle | 2020 Reinvested |
| 2001 Angus MacKenzie | 2011 Mary Munro | 2021 Reinvested |
| 2002 Mary Munro | 2012 Linda Armstrong | 2022 Gemma Baillie |
| 2003 Janet North | 2013 Eleanor Belton | 2023 Joy Tolev |
| 2004 Myra Miller | 2014 Diane MacPhee Krugh | 2024 Nadiene Gibney |
| 2005 Reinvested | 2015 Joy Tolev | 2025 Linda Armstrong |
| 2006 Betty Sutherland | 2016 Deborah Wardrope | |
| 2007 Jeanette Shearer | 2017 Mary Beth Klein | |
| 2008 Reinvested | 2018 Joy Tolev |
Our Founder, Margaret Callander, passed away in February 2022. Donations to the Margaret Callander Memorial Scholarships may be made through PayPal with this link – In Memory of Margaret Callander
About our 2026 Highland Dance Instructors
Please Note: Instructor(s) are subject to change based on enrollment.
An Additional Instructor has yet to be determined
Gemma Baillie is a member of the BATD and represents Granite City festivals as a deputy delegate on the Scottish Official Board of Highland Dancing. She is an RSOBHD registered adjudicator and was an RSOBHD competitor for 22 years for which she danced with Wilma Tolmie, she won many championship titles over the UK including the UKA, BATD, British Open and European Championships. She also qualified to dance in the world championship finals 14 times and finished in the top six in the adult world championships in 2003, 2008 and 2009. After finishing competing, Gemma enjoyed dancing at the 2013 Basel International Tattoo and more recently, the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo when it was on tour in Australia and New Zealand. Together with Rachel Mclagan, Gemma organised the 2010 charity highland dancing concert, assemble and leap to honour the 60th anniversary of the board whilst raising over £8000 for action Duchene and the MS Society Scotland and in 2013 ran a charity highland dancing competition in Aberdeenshire in aid of breast cancer campaign.
Daniel Carr began dancing at the age of three with the Sheila Milne School of Dance in Owen Sound, Ontario. He received world class training in highland dance from Mrs. Milne as well as ballet, modern, jazz, tap and musical theatre from top instructors that came from all over the world. Some highlights of his highland dance career included winning major championships throughout Canada, US and Scotland including the Ontario, Canadian and World championships. Daniel teaches highland along with Leslie MacDougall in Cambridge, ON. Prior to the pandemic, he was very fortunate to teach workshops throughout North America and UK.
Aside from dancing, Daniel plays bagpipes and teaches local students in Collingwood, ON. During the COVID-19 pandemic, he focused his time on finishing up some educational goals and completed teachers college in Toronto. He is also a member of the Canadian Ski Instructors Alliance and Alpine Canada and has taught/coached skiing for 15+ years in the Collingwood area.
He is thrilled to be asked to teach at OSAS after attending as a student in the 1990s and early 2000s.
Elizabeth Gollan was trained by Frances Paterson in Edinburgh, Scotland in Highland, Ballet and Tap. She is a Life Member and Fellow of the BATD, and a Fellow of UKAdance.
Previously a teacher and director of Paterson School of Dancing for over 30 years she now teaches dancers of all levels at her own school.
Elizabeth has trained dancers who have won championship titles in the United Kingdom and Northern Ireland, France, Canada, South Africa and the United States, as well as the RSOBHD UK Champion of Champions.
Having spent 27 years working in the Finance Sector, Elizabeth changed job direction in 2016 and is now Director of Administration of the RSOBHD.
Elizabeth is honoured to have been asked to lecture at the Ohio Scottish Arts School. She is sure the dancers will work hard and have a wonderful time.
Mary Munro more information to come