About ASHD

The Alexandria School of Highland Dance was co-founded in 2020 by Anne-Marie Berens, Amy Jenkins, and Amy Shields, after their own dance teacher, Eileen Grant, retired at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2024, we became a 501(c)3 non-profit organization. Though based in Alexandria, Virginia, our dancers live and perform all over the Washington, DC metropolitan area. All are welcome to join us, no matter your age, heritage, gender, or prior dance experience.

Education: We are proud to offer high-quality dance instruction to children and adults ages 4 and above, doing our part to build the next generation of Highland dancers.

Performance: In our opinion, the best way to celebrate and spread awareness of Scottish culture is by dancing for others. Our dancers love to perform anywhere from parades to parties, festivals to concert halls!

Competition: Highland dancing is an ever-evolving sport and art form. Participating in competitions helps dancers set goals, improve their technique, and forge connections with dancers from all over the world.

We focus on traditional dances, but also often create original choreography. Our three instructors are certified through the British Association of Teachers of Dancing (BATD) and ScotDance USA, and they also have training in other styles of dancing including Scottish ceilidh dancing, Scottish step dancing, Irish, classical ballet, and modern. Through our long affiliation with the Washington Scottish Pipe Band, we regularly perform at St. Andrew’s Society of Washington, DC events such as the Kirkin’ o’ the Tartan at the National Cathedral, Burns Night Supper, and the Tartan Ball, as well as other festivals, parades, and private events.

Scottish Highland dancing is an ancient sport and artform, which originated as a way for Scottish warriors to stay fit during the winter and learn the complicated footwork necessary for fighting. As such, many of the traditional dances we do have military origin stories - the Highland Fling was a victory dance, the Sword Dance was an omen of good (or bad) luck prior to battle, and the Seann Triubhas tells the story of the Jacobite Rebellion. In the 19th Century, Scottish National dances were introduced in order for women to participate. Dances such as the Scottish Lilt, Flora MacDonald's Fancy, and the Village Maid are noticeable for their grace and balletic influence. Today, both men and women perform and compete in both the Highland and Scottish National styles, in addition to character dances such as the Sailor's Hornpipe and the Scottish Version of the Irish Jig.

In addition to performing, many of our dancers enjoy participating in Highland dance competitions, regularly traveling throughout the eastern United States. Competition, though never required, is a fun way to challenge yourself, learn stage presence and good sportsmanship, and make new friends! Our dancers also have the chance to take dance exams every spring, testing their knowledge and skills against the official text set by the Royal Scottish Official Board of Highland Dancing, and receive personalized feedback from an expert examiner.