About

Established in 1995, the FitzPatrick School of Highland Dance has been teaching children and young people from across the local area.  As a highly athletic and technical form of dance dating back to the 18th Century, Highland dancing is a fantastic way of keeping fit and making friends, all while having fun!

Pupils are given the opportunity to sit annual British Association of Teachers of Dancing (BATD) examinations in Highland, Scottish National, Irish Jig and Sailor’s Hornpipe.  There are a variety of exams available starting from the First Steps right through to professional teacher qualifications.

All dancers are given the opportunity to perform in the local community, including Gala Days such as Dunlop, Kilmaurs and Stewarton Bonnet Guild as well as ceilidhs and other events in the local area.  Some of our senior dancers have also gone on to perform at internationally and world-renowned events such as the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo, Royal Nova Scotia International Tattoo, The Glasgow Tattoo and at Disneyland Paris.

We are proud supporters of The Chloe Hume Foundation and have competed at every Talent Show and Christmas Extravaganza to date.  Here, dancers have performed winning choreographed dances, including the Foundation's Award and Best Non-Vocal act.

Dancers also have the opportunity to compete in Royal Scottish Official Board of Highland Dance (RSOBHD) competitions across Scotland and Overseas.  Some of our dancer’s competitive achievements include:

• Representing Ayrshire at the Highlands & Islands Music & Dance Festival Area Finals held in Oban.

• Competing & placing at the Strathclyde, Kingdom of Fife, British, European, Commonwealth, Scottish National, New South Wales State and World Qualifier Championships.

• Pre-champion winners at the Kingdom of Fife and British Championships.

Principle teacher, Helen FitzPatrick, a former Adult World Champion, member of BATD & SDTA and RSOBHD Worldwide judging panel, is passionate about sharing her love of dance.  Helen is also supported by two assistant teachers, Rachel Ferrie (MBATD Highland & Scottish National, MSDTA Highland) and Nadia Anderson (MBATD Highland).