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.

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. Team invites for 2025 will be announced in November/December 2024.

GENERAL REQUIREMENTS FOR TEAM DANCERS

There is a small annual fee to be on the competition team. We do not require that dancers pay any of the teacher’s travel expenses to accompany dancers at competitions, like most sports and other schools. Instead, the annual fee goes partially towards this. The annual fee for new Beginner dancers is just $30 and increases with each competition level.
Dancers must send in paperwork each year to renew their ScotDanceUSA cards, which are basically dancer IDs stating you are registered to compete. ScotDanceUSA cards list what competitive level you are in and also keep track of when you move up levels.
To maintain status on the team, dancers are only required to compete one time per year.
Competition team dancers must have an LCHD team jacket to wear to studio events and competitions. Jacket orders are only made once a year due to our supplier requiring bulk orders.
Competitive dancers are required to participate in annual examinations with a certified BATD examiner.
Dancers are strongly encouraged, but not required, to attend once-a-month intensive workshops. These workshops are 1.5 hours and consist of a combination of dancing, stamina and strengthening exercises, discussions, and competition prep.

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.