Competing in Highland Dancing
Please note that the levels for classes at our studios are not the same as competing levels.
There are five levels of Highland Dancing: Primary, Beginner, Novice, Intermediate, and Premier. Unless the dancer moves up early, all dancers under the age of seven compete at the Primary level. Each level after Primary has requirements that once met, the dancer must move up to the next level. However, these requirements are not necessary in order to advance, but once at a higher-level dancers cannot go back down. In order to participate in a competition, a dancer must have an SOBHD dance card which identifies the level of the dancer. Once a dancer reaches the Premier level, they will have the opportunity to compete at championship competitions, with the ultimate goal of competing at the World Championships in Scotland. A dancer may not compete in more than 8 dances in one day at a competition.
Dancers are not required to compete.
The levels
Primary (Under 7 Only)
Primary is the only level where dancers compete in the 16 Pas de Basques and Pas de Basques & High cuts. Dances also can choose to compete the Fling and the Sword dance.
Beginner
Dancers in Beginner compete the Fling, Sword, Seann Triubhas, Lilt, Flora, and sometimes the Reel.
Novice
Dancers in Novice compete the same dances as Beginner at a harder level and are working towards their Intermediate dances.
Intermediate
In the Intermediate level, dancers compete the Fling, Sword, Seann Triubhas, Reel, Lilt, Flora, Johnnie, Laddie, Jig, and Hornpipe. Competitions generally consist of 4-6 of any of these dances.
Premier
Premier is the highest level a dancer can reach in Highland Dancing. In the Premier level, competitions can consist of any dances, including all Highland, National, and Character dances. Dancers in Premier participate in Championship and Premiership competitions, which include set dances and steps in those dances which must be performed.
PRIMARY COMPETITIVE DANCERS (AGES 4-6)
Dancers ages 4-6 can actually compete in Highland dancing in a special Primary level. Primary dancers are considered “team dancers”, but do not have the same requirements as the regular team dancers and cannot attend intensive workshops. The Primary competition category has only four dances, two of which are only competed in the Primary level and are very easy to learn. This competition category is considered an introduction to the competitive world to encourage young dancers. All Primary dancers at a competition receive a participation gift along with regular placings.
LCHD COMPETITION TEAM
The LCHD competition team is for students who maintain a high standard of dancing through practicing regularly, applying corrections, respecting other dancers and teachers, and understand that being a competitive dancer takes hard work and dedication. Other than getting to compete at competitions around the USA and Canada, being on the comp team means you are part of a supportive and dedicated group of dancers and get to attend special performances, intensive workshops, and participate in team activities. There are also special scholarships available for team dancers. To be on the LCHD team, a dancer must be age 7+, know the basic competitive dances (Fling, Sword, Seann Triubhas, Lilt), and receive a team invite for the coming year.