Groveland Twp.? The kilts were a flyin? Tuesday at Fire Station #2.
Ballet, tap and jazz dance schools may be better known, but Ann Miller is working to preserve Scottish culture through the Miller School of Highland Dance.
‘Being that we’re not in Scotland, but there are a lot of people from Scotland here, it’s good to maintain the national heritage and pass it along,? Miller said.
Miller, currently researching her heritage to see if she has Scottish ancestry, became interested in Scottish and Irish music while in high school. Several years later, in 1978, a friend called to say she had found someone to teach them Highland dancing.
‘It was a little difficult to learn at first, but not as hard as I expected,? she said. ‘I had a good teacher and that made it easier.?
Miller took lessons for ten years in Holly before taking a two-hour exam to become a member of the British Association of Teachers of Dance and begin teaching such dances as ‘The Fling,? ‘The Sword Dance,? and ‘Sean Truibhas? (pronounced shawn-trews and which translated means ‘old trousers?).
There is a story behind every dance, Miller says. ‘The Fling? is a dance that was originally done on a shield that had a spike in the middle of it. ‘The Sword Dance? was a victory dance where the victor wildly danced over swords after a battle. ‘The Sean Truibhas? came about when English laws outlawing dancing, kilts, bagpipes, and Gaelic speech were repealed, allowing Scots to ‘kick off the hated trousers.?
There are also three ‘Reel? dances, one of which was created when people wanted to stay warm while waiting for a minister outside a church on a snowy day.
In the late 1800s, Highland Dancing became organized to preserve and standardize dances so they wouldn’t be lost and would have a level playing field for competitions, Miller said, but it has been around much longer than that.
At one time, Highland dancers were considered male dancers and National Dances were a woman’s dance, but in the 1950s, women began Highland dancing. Miller teaches National Dances also, which are done in an aboyne, not a kilt.
Currently, Miller has six students, all female, but has had men in the past.
‘I’m afraid some boys still think dance is for girls,? Miller said.
Her youngest student is a 10-year-old, but she also has an adult in the class. Miller herself was 27 when she began dancing and is now 53 and still dancing.
‘It keeps me going and active. It’s a good cardiovascular workout,? said Miller of the dances, which consist of set steps based on movements and last 2-3 minutes each, with dancers on their toes for the duration, moving quickly. She adds that Highland dancing has even been deemed an athletic event by various athletic organizations and physical therapists.
Miller’s students compete locally almost weekly during the spring and summer and perform at weddings and other events, including the Renaissance Festival, throughout the year. They will next perform at a ceilidh (pronounced kay-lee, and which translated means ‘party?.
The ceilidh is from 7 p.m.-midnight, Feb. 19 at the Davison Knights of Columbus Hall, 8428 Davison Rd. Other performers include three area Highland pipe bands, a Windsor pipe band and a Celtic band, as well as dancers from the Heinzman School of Irish Dance. Tickets purchased in advance are $10 for adults and $8 for seniors or children under 12. For $2 more, tickets can be purchased at the door. Drinks and Scottish food will be available for purchase. Details: (810) 743-2149.
Miller is currently accepting new students. (248) 625-0853.