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Marielle Lespérance, Canada
Marielle Lespérance is an 8-time World Champion, 9-time Commonwealth Champion, and 15-time Canadian Champion in highland dancing. She is passionate about highland dance, sharing this passion through competition, teaching and performance. She is a member and ambassador of the British Association of Teachers of Dance, is a Scottish Official Board of Highland Dancing adjudicator, and has lectured and taught dance workshops across Canada, the United States, Scotland, Ireland and South Africa. Marielle runs her own dance school in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, which she opened in September 2017. Marielle has performed internationally, both solo and with various productions and musicians, and continues to perform with the highland dance company Change of Step, of which she is a founding member. Marielle owes her passion and success in dance to her instructor of 20 years, Ellen Cameron, and to Janice Macquarrie, with whom she trained while completing her Bachelor of Science in Physics at St. Francis Xavier University. Marielle also holds a Master’s of Science in Medical Physics from Carleton University. |
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JACQUELINE SMITH, Milton, Ontario, Canada
From the age of 3 Jacqueline was trained in ballet, jazz, and tap and began Highland, her true passion, at the age of 7. She had the pleasure of being taught by Helen Allison, Delma Wilson and Sandra Bald Jones. Throughout her competitive dancing career she won numerous titles across Canada, the United States, Australia and Scotland. Highlights include being the Ontario Provincial Champion 7 times, Canadian Inter-provincial Champion 6 times, Juvenile World Champion (1988), Junior World Champion (1989), Adult World Champion (1993, 1996), and Australian Champion of Champions and Grand Australasian Champion (1996). She was the first dancer in North America to win all 3 World Champion Sections held at Cowal, Scotland. Jacqueline is an adjudicator on the SOBHD Judges’ Panel, a Fellow and Examiner with the SDTA, and a Member with the BATD. She has had the opportunity to adjudicate and conduct workshops throughout North America, Australia and Scotland. She opened her dance studio in 1998 in Milton, Ontario, Canada where she lives, has two teenage children and works as a High School Financial Secretary. Over the years studio dancers have won many awards internationally, including Provincial, Canadian, North American Championship Titles and runner up titles at the Commonwealth and World Championships. Jacqueline is extremely grateful to Highland Dancing for the places she has been, the lifelong skills she has learned and the friends she has met. She looks forward to continuing to teach, judge, and examine, passing on her passion to others for many years to come. |
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KERRIE SMITH
Following years of education in ballet, contemporary and jazz, Kerrie trained under Hilary Kaplan and Archibald McKenzie at the esteemed Alegria Dance Studios – studying Classical Ballet, Spanish (Flamenco and Escuela Bolero), National Character and the Cecchitti method. Kerrie successfully achieved her Advanced 2 ballet examination through the Royal Academy of Dance, earning the qualification of ARAD – Associate of the Royal Academy of Dance. She has also achieved and earned Honours on Advanced 2-level exams with the Spanish Dance Society, received Distinction on the Royal Academy of Dance Teaching Certificate under the guidance of Hilary Kaplan, and obtained her Diploma in Dance Education. After managing the Alegria Bondi Junction branch for four years, Kerrie owned and operated Classique Dance along with teaching in both the public and private sectors including Options Theatre Company and Naisda Dance College where she continues to teach, delivering nationally accredited qualifications. Kerrie is a mentor for the Professional Dancers Postgraduate Teaching Certificate and the Certificate in Ballet Teaching Studies offered by the RAD. Additionally, Kerrie has studied Pilates. Nurturing her students’ love and appreciation for dance – with a strong focus on intrinsic motivation – is Kerrie’s driving force as an educator. Her choreography and students have placed first at the prestigious Sydney Eisteddfod, many past students have accomplished national and international careers in dance. |
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ROSIE SCHWARTZ
Rosie is a strength and conditioning coach who provides services for adolescent and adult dancers in elite training and professional settings. Rosie’s credentials are extensive: · Bachelor of Exercise & Sport Science · Certificate 4, Pilates Mat Instructor · Level 2 Accreditation, Australian Strength and Conditioning Certification · Royal Academy of Dance, Certificate in Ballet Teaching Studies. Rosie is a current Strength and Conditioning Coach at Barker College, providing strength and conditioning services for youth athletes and general population across multiple programs including dance, AFL and swimming. She is also the owner/operator of Dance Athlete which provides strength and conditioning services for the elite dancer in gym setting and semi-remote programs. Her programs provide individualised strength and conditioning programs primarily for dancers but also individual sport athletes. Rosie provides workshops for dancers and dance teachers for health, performance and fitness for the dancer. Rosie is excited to share strength and conditioning techniques with passionate Highland dancers. She looks forward to meeting many new faces at the ABHDI festival. |
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LISA HOWELL
Lisa is a physiotherapist, author, speaker and creator of The Ballet Blog, an online portal which has revolutionised how dancers of all styles think about their bodies, injuries and performance enhancement. She is well respected both nationally and internationally for her work with dancers and dance teachers, and he has lectured throughout Europe, The United Kingdom, The United States and Australasia on Dance Anatomy, Injury Prevention, Recovery and Performance Enhancement. She has been a guest speaker at many international conventions including IADMS, Dance Teacher summit, Studio Owners University, various RAD International Summer Schools, and Dance Life Conference. Lisa has created an extensive series of workshops, online resources and dance education programs to educate and inspire young dancers to become the best that they can possibly be with an emphasis on returning dancers to an elite level of performance. Lisas focus is on education to help prevent injury and maximise performance rather than waiting for injury to occur. |
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Friday 26 September
ABHDI AGM & General Meeting Technical Meeting - CSL & PSL Registration - pick up participant pack Early Bird Tickets - Meet and greet with tutors |
Saturday 27 September
Day 1 - Workshops Ceilidh |
Sunday 28 September
Day 2 - workshops Presentation of Scholarship awards Finish of festival approx. 3.30pm |
Sessions for Pre-Premier Dancers
Sessions for Premier Dancers
Teacher only Sessions
Supporters
All
Learn a dance or two for the Ceilidh
Final program to come.
- Highland Technical
- National Technical
- Basic Movements
- Preparing for competition
- Choreography
- Ballet movements for Highland
- Enhance performance and prevent injury (turnout, foot control, training jumps)
- Strength and conditioning for Highland Dancers
Sessions for Premier Dancers
- Championship steps
- Scottish National Dance Premiership steps
- Basic Movements
- What you need to know for tattoo dancing
- Ballet movements for Highland
- Choreography out of the box
- Enhance performance and prevent injury (Knee pain, shin splints and more)
- Strength and conditioning for Highland Dancers
Teacher only Sessions
- Cultivating Critical Thinking in Dancers
- Refining your teacher skills
- Jump training and injury prevention
- Planning a dancer’s calendar and how to peak
- Candidate information for those interested in sitting the judge’s test.
- Teachers will have access to Pre-Premier and Premier sessions at certain points over the course of the festival.
Supporters
- Dancer costumes and regulations
- Nutrition to support dancer performance
- Scrutineering session
- Ways you can support Highland Dancing
All
Learn a dance or two for the Ceilidh
Final program to come.
Prices:
Early bird dancer tickets $85
General dancer tickets $100
Early bird teacher tickets $127
General teacher tickets $150
Early bird supporter tickets $42
General supporter tickets $50
Early bird dancer tickets $85
General dancer tickets $100
Early bird teacher tickets $127
General teacher tickets $150
Early bird supporter tickets $42
General supporter tickets $50
FAQ
1. Is the Festival for Australian dancers only?
We welcome all our dance family from around the world.
2. Which ticket do I need?
Dancer ticket – allows entry to any of the dancer sessions.
Teacher ticket – allows entry to most of the dancer or teacher sessions.
Supporter ticket – allows entry to any of the supporter sessions.
Ceilidh ticket – allows entry to the ceilidh.
3. I am a teacher and a dancer. Which ticket will I need?
Registering as a teacher will allow entry to the teacher only sessions.
4. Will I need a separate ticket for the ceilidh?
Yes. Dancers, teachers and supporters will require a separate ceilidh ticket. Anyone can attend the ceilidh even if they are not participating in any other events at the Festival.
5. Are Earlybird discounts available?
Yes. Earlybird discount applies to tickets purchased before 30 April 2025.
6. Is there a reduced fee if I can only attend part of the Festival?
No, a flat rate applies.
7. When does registration close?
Tickets will be available online until 31 August 2025.
8. When I register online, how do I collect my ticket?
You will receive a confirmation email from the team once payment has been reconciled. This may take one week.
9. Can I purchase a ticket at the Festival?
No, Festival tickets won’t be available
10. Can I get a refund if I am no longer able to attend?
Tickets are not refundable.
11. When can I check in at the Festival?
Ticket holders can register and collect their participation packs at the registration desk from 4:00pm Friday 26th September, or at 8:00am on Saturday 27th September.
12. What will I need to bring to the Festival?
Dancers will need a water bottle, dance pumps and suitable dance attire.
Teachers and supporters might like to bring a notebook and pen.
13. How do I get to the venue?
Penrith Panthers is easily accessible by car or train. The nearest train station is Penrith Station approximately 1.7km from the venue.
14. What parking arrangements are available at the venue?
Free parking is available onsite. Visit the Penrith Panthers website for more information.
15. Is the event catered?
No. The event is not catered. There are multiple options to purchase food within the Club and precinct.
16. Can I bring my own food into the club?
No. NSW health regulations prevent you from bringing food into NSW clubs. There are numerous options to purchase food in the Panthers precinct.
17. I have family members coming who are not participating in the Festival. What is available for them to see/do?
Both Penrith and Blue Mountains Tourism websites have a list of attractions.
Our team is working on activities for those not attending the festival which will be available soon.
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Australian Highland Dancing Festival Scholarships
We will have three scholarships open to all dancers attending the Australian Highland Dancing Festival.
Conditions of Entry
Dancer must indicate they wish to participate in the scholarship when completing registration for the festival.
Dancer must participate in all components to achieve overall success.
Pre-Premier Scholarship
Part 1: Performance of Scottish Lilt (5 steps) at the festival. (40 marks)
Part 2: Dancer comportment throughout the festival. (60 marks)
Premier 7-15 years Scholarship
Part 1: Short multiple choice theory paper. Theory papers will vary for 7 to 11yrs and 12-15yrs. (10 marks)
Part 2: Performance of Barracks Johnnie (5 steps) at the festival. (40 marks)
Part 3: Dancer comportment throughout the festival. (50 marks)
Premier 16 years and over Scholarship
Part 1: Short multiple choice theory paper. (10 marks)
Part 2: Performance of Irish Jig (5 steps) at the festival. (40 marks)
Part 3: Dancer comportment throughout the festival. (50 marks)
Overseas tutors will decide the winner in each category.
Dancer is not required to wear a full costume.
There will be one scholarship for Pre-Premier dancers, one for Premier dancers 7 to 15 years of age and one scholarship for Premier dancers 16 & Over.
Note: Depending on participants age groups are subject to change.
PRIZES
Each lucky dancer will win:
We will have three scholarships open to all dancers attending the Australian Highland Dancing Festival.
Conditions of Entry
Dancer must indicate they wish to participate in the scholarship when completing registration for the festival.
Dancer must participate in all components to achieve overall success.
Pre-Premier Scholarship
Part 1: Performance of Scottish Lilt (5 steps) at the festival. (40 marks)
Part 2: Dancer comportment throughout the festival. (60 marks)
Premier 7-15 years Scholarship
Part 1: Short multiple choice theory paper. Theory papers will vary for 7 to 11yrs and 12-15yrs. (10 marks)
Part 2: Performance of Barracks Johnnie (5 steps) at the festival. (40 marks)
Part 3: Dancer comportment throughout the festival. (50 marks)
Premier 16 years and over Scholarship
Part 1: Short multiple choice theory paper. (10 marks)
Part 2: Performance of Irish Jig (5 steps) at the festival. (40 marks)
Part 3: Dancer comportment throughout the festival. (50 marks)
Overseas tutors will decide the winner in each category.
Dancer is not required to wear a full costume.
There will be one scholarship for Pre-Premier dancers, one for Premier dancers 7 to 15 years of age and one scholarship for Premier dancers 16 & Over.
Note: Depending on participants age groups are subject to change.
PRIZES
Each lucky dancer will win:
- $500 towards furthering dancing goals.
- A 45-minute private zoom lesson with Christine Lacey MBE. Chairperson of the RSOBHD.
What to See & Do
Things to do in Penrith www.visitpenrith.com.au/things-to-do
Things to do in the Blue Mountains www.bluemts.com.au/things-to-do/tourist-attractions/
Featherdale Wildlife Park www.featherdale.com.au
Accommodation
Mecure – Mercure Penrith Special Rate
Pullman www.pullmanpenrith.com.au
Astina www.guestreservations.com
Quest www.guestreservations.com
Ingenia Holiday Park www.ingeniaholidays.com.au/
Winbourne Edmund Rice Retreat & Conference Centre www.winbourne.org/files/accommodation.php
Getting to Penrith Panthers
We will have more information on transport arrangements closer to the festival.
If travelling by train from the airport; Train to Central and country train to Penrith.
Things to do in Penrith www.visitpenrith.com.au/things-to-do
Things to do in the Blue Mountains www.bluemts.com.au/things-to-do/tourist-attractions/
Featherdale Wildlife Park www.featherdale.com.au
Accommodation
Mecure – Mercure Penrith Special Rate
Pullman www.pullmanpenrith.com.au
Astina www.guestreservations.com
Quest www.guestreservations.com
Ingenia Holiday Park www.ingeniaholidays.com.au/
Winbourne Edmund Rice Retreat & Conference Centre www.winbourne.org/files/accommodation.php
Getting to Penrith Panthers
We will have more information on transport arrangements closer to the festival.
If travelling by train from the airport; Train to Central and country train to Penrith.