Kathleen Gilbert - Highland Dancer

 

Kathleen Gilbert, who will work with Ensemble Hesperi for their Arts Council supported project "The Pheasant's Eye", has developed an international career in Highland dance. For over twenty years she has been an exponent of this dance form, and now enjoys a varied career performing, teaching, lecturing and adjudicating all over the world. Kathleen enjoyed early success in competitions while growing up in Western Canada. From the outset, Kathleen began exploring the use of dance to tell stories, and started choreographing projects in collaboration with other arts forms.

 

As a Fellow with the SDTA (Scottish Dance Teachers Alliance), Kathleen is proud to kindle enthusiasm in dance and keep the traditions of Highland dance alive in her preparation of students for exams and competitions. In 2010 she became a member of the SOBHD (Scottish Official Board of Highland Dancing) Judge’s Panel; a role which has led to adjudication tours on both sides of the Atlantic. She also serves as the secretary for the HDTAE (Highland Dance Teachers Association of England).  

 

Highland dancing has led Kathleen to all corners of the world, enjoying working in dance in different contexts. In the wider public eye, she has performed for Queen Elizabeth II, taught an MTV host how to do the Fling, and has worked with Torvill & Dean to aid in choreography for ‘Dancing on Ice’. She prides herself in her technical perfection in her own performance and in her teaching. Kathleen is committed is championing Highland Dance and to bringing it to a wider audience.