At first glance, with a 16-year difference in their ages, Christina Fitchett and Tara MacLeod seem unlikely friends. However, a love of highland dance and proficiency in the art mean the two spend a lot of time together. And while Fitchett has been dancing since she was little, MacLeod at 20 was a relative latecomer to the field. "My mom started teaching me when I was eight. She taught me for four years," Fitchett shared.
Once Fitchett decided she was serious about dancing, a new teacher had to be found. Highland dancing has strict rules about who can teach the art. Fortunately for both women, a qualified instructor was found and they could go on to a competitive level. Kathleen Carlson, who teaches through Dance Works in Gibsons, helps prepare the avid dancers for competitions and exams.Fitchett, who dances at an intermediate level, is having a banner year. Since October she's danced in 10 competitions, taking the aggregate trophy in three of them. Winning the trophy means she received the most medals in the individual dance categories at the competition. Competitors in this level are aged 12 and over. There are usually about 12 other people competing against Fitchett. She wins an average of four medals per dance meet.
MacLeod dances at the next (and highest) level up from her friend. At the premiere level, the competition is fierce.
MacLeod first got involved with highland dancing as a way to connect with her Cape Breton relatives. "I missed out on the Maritimes part of my heritage. I love being an ambassador for highland history and clan pride," she explains.
The other part of highland dancing that appeals to her is the precision of the judging. "There is no grey area; you're either right or wrong," she said.
And with an average of five different dances to perform at any competition, highland dancing is as much a mental as a physical undertaking.
The athletes begin each dance competition with 100 points, which are then shaved off a little at a time. Mistakes that can cost the dancers range from hesitation, being out of step with the music or even turning the wrong way. And, of course, the dances are spelled out with the official steps, and any deviation will result in a loss of points. "Everything is judged. Having one sock higher than the other can lose you points. It bugs you sometimes," Fitchett said. Fitchett too has strong family ties to Scottish music and dance. Her grandfather competes in a pipe band, and her grandmother was a drummer in a pipe band at one time. And, of course, her mother danced. "Dad just gets to finance the whole thing," Fitchett jokes.
MacLeod is passing her love of the Highlands to her children. Her boys Brychan, 6, and Donovan, 4, are taking dancing lessons, as is her daughter Lauren, who is the same age as Fitchett.
Both women hope to teach dance someday. They plan to dance as long as they're able.
"I hope to dance 'til I'm 80. My old aunt still hauls out the brooms and mops and dances when she's had a bit to drink," MacLeod said.
This Sunday, Aug. 1, the women will be dancing between noon and 2 p.m. at Hackett Park as part of the Sechelt Family Arts Festival.
