Spotlight on a community dance team - RCMP Highland Dance Team
What company do you dance with?
The RCMP Highland Dance Team is comprised of 15 former and current Premier-level competitive dancers from across the National Capital Region, all from various studios around the city. The expressed intent of the dancers is to create complimentary movement to accompany the RCMP Pipes and Drums in show, and to craft traditional highland flair with a modern touch to create timeless pieces and enhance the musical potential during performances. With high calibre choreography, the dancers have a much greater scope of innovation and interpretation of the dance steps involved to promote creativity from the traditional Scottish highland dances.
The team remains connected and engaged throughout these unusual times. Although the regular routine in-person rehearsals and performances in 2020 waned, the dancers were tenacious in keeping the dance spirit alive. The virtual world has become a staple for weekly practices, social events as well as exciting opportunities to showcase dance in a new way. The dance team will continue to adapt and pivot and look forward to promoting their passion for dance with others near and far.
How long have you been dancing?
The dancers from the team have been dancing for many many years… you can add up the collective decades of years of practice. It’s not uncommon to start dancing at a very young age and some made their first moves even before walking! Prior to joining the RCMP Dance Team, all dancers have expended numerous years practicing, competing perfecting technique and performing in solo and group events.
What is your most cherished memory from dance?
Highland dancing provides the most opportunistic experiences locally and around the world. “Growing up, my family and I travelled across Canada for various dance competitions, combining the things I love the most - family time, dancing and travelling.” – Melanie Lemieux
Highlights of performing at the acclaimed Maxville Tattoo, the Edinburgh and Basel Tattoos, the New Hampshire Highland Games and alongside the Red Hot Chilli Pipers, in Colorado at Estes Park and of course the Shanghai tourism festival in China can forever be felt…
“It was an incredible feeling to share Scottish Canadian culture with people who had never seen it before, while simultaneously experiencing their history and culture.” – Megan MacDonald
Travelling and dancing internationally with a very talented group resonates amongst the dancers with having a shared opportunity to captivate the audience for every performance. It is so special when encouraging and motivating reactions are conveyed. While performing, the smiles and expression on a dance friend’s face says it all - the proud sense of achievement of an outstanding performance are reciprocally recognized.
What do you enjoy most about dancing?
The RCMP Highland Dancers are honoured to express the musicality of the RCMP Pipes and Drums through movement, gesture, and body language. Although the music is traditional in nature, the choreography has a contemporary feel, allowing for more creative freedom in bringing the music to life.
Highland dance is incredible in that the historically recorded steps allow dancers from different schools, provinces, or countries to come together and within minutes perform the same dance. There is an amazing community of highland dancers from across Canada and around the world. “I have lived in three provinces, and no matter where I moved, the highland dance community has welcomed me with open arms and made the new city feel immediately like home. I have now lived in Ottawa for five years and the dance community here is one of my favourite parts of the city.” – Megan MacDonald
Over the years, dance has the potential to open so many doors in life. Long lasting relationships flourish from the various occasions of meeting people from all over the world. Performing on stage alongside the band and dance family to express passion and love of dance with others is so invaluable. Gratification and fulfilment can display in all respects of a dancer’s career with a fostering space to improve, learn and grow. Being faced with new challenges, focusing on bettering technique, and the commitment to further expand knowledge and skills can transcend a dancer.
Tell us something that might surprise us about you.
The Sword Dance, performed over and around two crossed swords is a unique dance that is definitely nerve-racking for most, but is a favourite among some of the RCMP Dance team!
Through years of dancing, dancers become very aware of the best ways to cater to their needs and best practices to promote longevity and a healthy dance continuance. “Even though I’m a dancer, I’m really not flexible at all and stretches are my best friend.” - Maya Tucker
A Highland dancer by training, practice and performance during the spare moments, the team members are also busy in their fulltime commitments with family, work and school! A number of members are involved in obtaining University degrees, as well as working for the Department of Finance, Canadian Blood Services, Health Canada, Health Standards Organization, Environment Canada and more, as well as raising and spending quality time with family.
“I’m having a baby in July...and I’m still highland dancing!” – Melanie Lemieux.
Many of the RCMP dancers love spending time outdoors hiking, camping, taking ATV rides, and of course traveling!!
If you could pick anyone as a mentor who would it be?
The RCMP dancers find their inspiration for dance in many ways. Some look to their current or former instructors, others are engaged and encouraged by the support of their peers and dance friends. The underpinnings from family and friends do not go unnoticed and often are the source for empowerment, determination and perseverance. They are those who guide and nurture through some of the most challenging and exiting times in life! These relationships are profound, a source of compassion and unconditional love.
When you have free time, what do you do?
The RCMP dancers spend a lot of time focusing their efforts on improving stamina and enhancing extraordinary group coordination of choreography and technique, however, aside from this spend their free time in many ways.
Outdoors hiking, camping or relaxing the backyard – spending time with friends and family. Taking some time to unwind is so important for a balanced lifestyle. Reading a book, spending time in the kitchen trying new recipes, listening to music or thinking about the next unique choreography step are all funny ways the team enjoys their spare time.
How do you balance dance and your life outside of dance?
“Dance offers a safe space for me to escape and make some time just for me. It's something I look forward to doing and allows me to come back to the chaotic world with a fresh attitude and appreciation for all the things I have in my life.” - Alyssa McCormick.
Many aspects of dance help to establish the values for a balanced lifestyle. “I prioritize scheduling and remember how happy I am when I’m in the studio, if I ever feel too tired to go after school” - Maya Tucker.
When juggling many priorities, it is important to do the things that matter most and that bring joy. Setting realistic goals to achieve the desire of passion for dance while enjoying the valued interests outside of dance. “Making sure I make time for friends and family outside of dance and learning new hobbies that bring me the same amount of joy that dance does.” - Isabella Maestri.