CLASSES CANCELLED until further notice. Stay home, wash your hands, and we’ll resume dancing together when the time is right.
See which dances we’ve been enjoying on our Dance Record!
Classes for Adults and Children
Classes include stretching and step practice. Wear comfortable clothing that permits you to take long steps, typically a loose-fitting skirt for women and slacks for men, and soft-soled shoes.
Adult Classes
Adult Class: Tuesdays 7.30-9.30 pm, Ballroom in the Sky. Newcomers welcome any day! We do a mix of simple and complex dances to maximize the fun for everyone. Beginners may be asked to watch a dance or two during the evening for inspiration.
Children’s Class
Children, ages 6 and up or by teacher consent. Classes meet at Ballroom in the Sky. Parents welcome to watch or dance, but this class is designed for kids and includes rhythmic movement and dance etiquette as well as a variety of traditional and modern dances. This class is not currently being held. If you wish to be notified when class resumes, please email Kate at scottishdancekate@gmail.com
Studio Location
We dance at Ballroom in the Sky, a private studio located at 19 North Peak Road in West Lake Hills. There is no studio signage. Park on the street, then walk up the driveway and straight back through the carport. You’ll see an exterior staircase on the right, and you’ll hear music overhead.
About SCD
Scottish country dancing is a traditional social dance form in which groups of couples follow a specified pattern to the music. It is related to contra dancing, English country dance and Old Time dancing. Scottish country dance (SCD) features energetic reels and jigs, and we enjoy the slower, elegant strathspey as well. SCD is the best of all worlds: mental and physical activity, plus a great social arena, accompanied by fantastic music!
About Us
We are the Austin Scottish Country Dance Society.
ASCDS is developing a Code of Conduct, as part of our membership in TIFD.
Here is the TIFD Code of Conduct as a pdf.
We are using this a starting point as of September 2019. Please feel free to comment directly to one of the emails below.
Download our constitution and by-laws HERE (as a Word document)
Contact Us:
Kate Walker: scottishdancekate@gmail.com
Sarah Harriman: sarah@austinscd.org
Kate Bio
Kate started Scottish country dancing at age 10, and has been enjoying it ever since. She completed her teaching certificate in 2008. One of the aspects of SCD that she considers especially wonderful is its consistency around the world. After dancing in Sweden, the UK, and many locations across North America, Kate looks forward to extending her experience to other continents as well. In addition to dancing and teaching, she writes about the theory and philosophy of SCD.
Sarah Bio
When I met SCD, I fell in love, and it was love at “first poussette.” That was over 35 years ago and I’ve been dancing and teaching ever since I obtained my teacher certification from the Royal Scottish Country Dance Society in 1984. I live and teach regularly in Austin, TX, but have taught workshops from east coast to west coast in the US and some in Canada as well. What you’re probably interested to know, however, is my perspective in teaching SCD. While footwork is very important, even more important is what happens when you dance with others. I encourage everyone to dance efficiently, gracefully and graciously. We’re all part of a dance community and I would like to do what I can to help you to increasingly enjoy that connection.
Marty Bio
Marty has been a Scottish Country Dancer since 1995. He has been teaching since 2007. He also has experience with court dancing and country dancing from performing at the Texas Renaissance Festival. Marty received his teaching certificate from the Royal Scottish Country Dance Society in 2012.
2019 St. Andrews Ball
A wonderful time was had by all!
Did you love one of the dances so much you want to repeat it? Refresh your memory of the program below.
The program is also available as a single pdf of cribs and diagrams HERE.
| 1. | Joie de Vivre | J32 | 3/4L | Maarseveen: RSCDS XXXIX |
| 2. | The Sailor | R32 | 3/4L | RSCDS XXIV |
| 3. | Seann Triubhas Willichan | S32 | 2/4L | Wilson: RSCDS XXVII |
| 4. | Pelorus Jack | J32 | 3/4L | Skelton: RSCDS XLI |
| 5. | Amanda Mae’s Strathspey | S32 | 2/3L | Hansen: Los Angeles 25th |
| 6. | Flowers of Edinburgh | R32 | 3/4L | RSCDS I |
| 7. | The Laird of Milton’s Daughter | J32 | 3/4L | Craigmyle: RSCDS XXII |
| 8. | Trip to Timber Ridge | R32 | 3/4L | Henderson: RSCDS LII |
| 9. | Fair Donald | S32 | 3/4L | RSCDS XXIX |
| 10. | Bethankit | J32 | 3/4L | Stacey: RSCDS Graded 3 |
| 11. | The Merry Lad’s Affair | R32 | 3/4L | Wilson: Just Desserts |
| 12. | Flights of Fancy | J32 | 3/4L | McColl: Boston 50 |
| 13. | The Hare Reel | R32 | 3/4L | Roby: Houston & District 30th Anniversary Collection |
| 14. | Slytherin House | S32 | 3/4L | Ronald: RSCDS LII |
| 15. | The Wooden Horse | J32 | 3/3L | Drewry: Turkish |
| 16. | The Deil amang the Tailors | R32 | 3/4L | RSCDS XIV |
Events
We hold an annual bake sale at the Austin Celtic Festival, where we also dance a demonstration and workshop. Come try our delicious baked goods and enjoy some dancing!
Involved in baking or staffing the sale? CLICK HERE for password-protected access to labels, inventory, and instructions. Ask Kate for the password.
Our annual St. Andrew’s Ball in December is the highlight of the year. We dance to live music from some of the best in the Scottish country dance world, and draw dancers from all over Texas.
Dancers travel to San Antonio, Houston, and further to enjoy balls and workshop worldwide.
