Dance Teachers
David Queen, Southport, England
I started dancing at 5 years of age under the influence of my father who was a piper and dance teacher best known for
the dance Angus MacLeod. I teach regular branch classes and have taught at day and weekend schools all over Britain and
abroad including Canada, Russia and Europe, also Pinewoods in 2007.
I am a regular musician at RSCDS Summer School in St. Andrews and have taught at RSCDS Winter School in Pitlochry. I am
a dance deviser and composer of Scottish music and have published my own book of dances as well as providing dances for
other publications. My music has been recorded by a number of Scottish dance bands including my own.
Eric Finley, Ayrshire, Scotland
I have been dancing since I was 12 years old having been taught the basics by my Mother who was attending classes. I
have always loved dancing of any kind and especially like the challenge and sociability of Scottish Country Dancing. I am
a member of the North Ayrshire Branch and have acted as Chairman and Secretary for this Branch, although not at the same
time.
I have been teaching Scottish Country Dancing since 1984 and have been teaching at Summer School in St. Andrews since
2000. I have taught in many places at home in the UK and throughout Europe as well as Australia and Canada.
I hope that I can bring my enthusiasm for dancing and the sense that dancing should be fun to all in the class as well
as helping people improve their technique. It may take some people a little time to acclimatize to my sense of humour but
they usually get there in the end. I love meeting people and hope to have a chat with many in the class over the teaching
weekend.
Elaine Brunken, Laurel, MD
I was born a long time ago, or so it seems, in Falkirk, Scotland. I trained as a Phys. Ed. teacher, majoring in dance,
at DCPE in Edinburgh. I taught PE and Health Education at Belmont Academy in Ayr for 4 years, prior to my immigration to
the USA in 1978. (I told you it was a long time ago).
I learned to dance when I was about 4, in my mum's class, in Pumpherston, West Lothian. I learned at a very young age,
that if I went dancing, I got to stay up late. A very good practice for the dance weekends to come, when there is never
time to sleep!
After 20 years of living and teaching in Northern Virginia, I moved to Maryland, so now on 'the other side of the
Potomac River', I teach and dance with the Washington D.C. branch. I have been co-tutor for the teacher candidate class
in the D.C. area, for five examination tours, and have enjoyed teaching many workshops in North America and Canada. In
2005, I had my first trip to Australia, to teach the Winter School in Melbourne, and my first opportunity to teach at the
T.A.C. summer school.
I love the magic moments in dancing, when the phrasing, the music and the movement come together. It doesn't happen
often, but when it does......WOW! I strive for good technique, especially from the knees up! (it helps in achieving
those magic moments). I like to emphasize ALL aspects of technique, not JUST the footwork.
In my other life, I manage the QA and Systems Support department for a bank in the area. I have two grown children (24
and 21), and 2 cats. A lover of red wine, gin and tonic, old movies, good books and singing, there just isn't enough time
to do it all.....but I try.
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