A DANCER’S PASSION
Travelling to Scotland to compete helps her feel connected to roots
Elise Quinn performs a traditional Scottish dance in Dorchester Square. Families can enjoy dancing and other competitions at the Highland Games in Verdun on Sunday. Laura Marchand has details
It was unlike anything she had ever seen: something that combined jumping strength with the grace and pointed feet of ballet. She knew about the more prominent Scottish traditions, like bagpipes — her grandfather, who’d brought her to this show, emigrated from Scotland — but this was different. It was the first time she had seen Highland dancing, and Elise Quinn was immediately drawn to it.
“It was something special,” she said. More than anything, she thought it looked like fun.
“I told my parents ‘I want to do that,’ just out of the blue,” said Quinn. “I was five, so I had probably thought the kilts were really pretty, too,” she added, laughing.
That was 26 years ago — and she hasn’t looked back. Since then, Quinn has gone on to compete internationally in Highland dancing, winning competitions including the North Eastern United States Championship and the Canadian National Competition.
Part of what kept her dancing was the sense of being connected to her family’s history.
“It definitely keeps me feeling like I have ties in Scotland. I don’t want to forget my heritage,” Quinn said. Highland dancing has brought her closer, too: next week, she will be travelling to Scotland to compete in Edinburgh, and will be making a detour to visit the house her grandfather was born in.
“It’s a dream come true,” she said. “I like the fact that I can feel tied to my grandfather and my roots.”
But tradition isn’t the only thing that spurred her on. The lessons she’d learned dancing have become a huge part of her life.
“You learn how to be self-confident. How to be sure of yourself, to work hard, to be diligent,” said Quinn. “It (traverses) just the dance ... It touches upon everything.”
That sentiment stretches to the camaraderie within the community, that Quinn describes as a “joint spirit” that permeates the dancers.
“You meet these people and you’re there together,” she said. “You have this dance that links you.”
Some of her favourite dancing memories are away from the competitions, after the events are done. It’s common for the dancers and the band to retire to the beer tent afterwards, just to dance together in their street clothes.
“It’s a huge party and everyone’s in such a good mood,” she said.
It’s a mood that Quinn hopes to bring to the Montreal Highland Games this weekend. The event — where Quinn will be competing — will be hosted in Verdun’s ArthurTherrien Park this Sunday. Quinn said she hopes even those with no ties to Scotland will come to the games.
“Even if you’re not Scottish, you can still appreciate watching dancing, like watching an art form,” she said.
In addition to the Highland dancing competition, there will also be mock medieval combat, musical band competitions, and athletic competitions such as the caber toss. “Big strong guys throwing a telephone pole in the air, it’s impressive to see,” said Quinn. “You don’t have to have Scottish background to go and enjoy yourself.”
Food and drinks will also be available on site, as well as workshops and events for children. The admission to the Highland Games is $15 per person above the age of 12.
For her part, Quinn hopes she can inspire someone to take up Highland dancing, as she was inspired as a child.
“I really love it, and I hope that that comes through when I’m dancing,” she said. “I feel like that’s something that drew me to Highland dancing in the first place.”