Highland Dance Class

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.

Born in Glasgow, Scotland, Eleanor Belton started dancing at the age of 5. She has studied many different disciplines such as Highland, Ballet, Tap and Jazz. In 1979, Eleanor immigrated to Ontario, Canada with her husband Michael.
Eleanor has actively been teaching highland dance for over 40 years and in 1995 became the owner and Artistic Director of Aspects of Dance in Burlington, Ontario. Aspects of Dance offers students the opportunity to train in Highland, Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Lyrical, Musical Theatre and Acrobatics. Many of her competitive highland dancers have travelled throughout Canada, the United States, Australia, Europe and Scotland winning many awards and Championships. Some of her students have gone onto professional careers with professional ballet companies and cruise lines.
Eleanor is a member of the World-Wide Judges Panel for the Royal Scottish Official Board of Highland Dancing. She is also a Fellow, Life Member and Examiner with the British Association Teachers of Dance. Eleanor has travelled throughout Canada, United States, Australia and Scotland, adjudicating and conducting highland and choreography Workshops.
One of her most enjoyable experiences as a highland teacher was as co-chair of the opening ceremonies for ScotDance Canada Championship Series in 2015 and 2017. She had the privilege of working with many talented dancers from across Ontario to create the choreography for these events.

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.

Laura Donlan has been involved in Highland Dance since the age of 8. Her love of Highland Dance began with instruction by her mom, Anne Donlan and is currently instructed by Kathy Coleman and Ashley Stowkowy. Laura has competed throughout the world for the past 30 years,  qualifying for the United States Inter Championship 25 years in a row.  She has won championship titles throughout the United States and Canada.
Her passion and love for dancing does not stop  with competing.  She created Highland Wellness and Strength in 2016 after adding cross training to her training routine as well as recovering from multiple injuries. The goal is to share her knowledge of self care and the importance of cross training in a dancers life.  Laura has conducted workshops throughout Canada, the United States, Scotland and Australia.
Laura also has her doctorate in physical therapy. She has fourteen years of experience working in outpatient orthopedic settings and has taken continuing education courses in taping, dance injuries and treating back pain. She enjoys working with patients of all ages to help them return to doing what they love.

Joy (Allen) Tolev started dancing at the age of 3 under the instruction of Mrs. Evelyn Murray in Toronto, Ontario.  During her competitive days she successfully competed in many highland dance competitions and championships throughout Canada and the United States.
She has been teaching at her own school of highland dancing in Toronto for the past 30 years and has produced many dancers of high caliber who have captured titles in various championships including the Ontario, Canadian, Scottish, Commonwealth and World Championships.   There have been over 25 Canadian Championship Titles, many Scottish and Commonwealth Championship titles and runner-ups, and a World Champion who holds 10 World Titles.
She is a Fellow and Examiner of the B.A.T.D., North American Co-ordinator of the B.A.T.D., and adjudicator on the S.O.B.H.D. Judges panel.
Joy teaches annually at the Ohio Scottish Arts School which is a week camp in June, the Delco Workshop in February and travels across Canada, United States, Scotland, Australia and New Zealand, judging, examining and conducting workshops.