Morgan B School of Dance

We’ve spied a few of our highland dancer hoodies around this week! We are glad you’re enjoying them!

Looking forward to seeing dancers back at class today. Please remember that parents are welcome to watch but no other viewers including other family members or siblings. In some of the younger classes we will ask parents to step out into the waiting room if the students are distracted which can happen from time to time with wee ones ❤️

Make sure you support the HDAOT movie night so that they can raise more $$ to ensure they can hold comps for your kids!

While our three girls are off experiencing their first Tattoo together in Switzerland along with a team of 87 other dancers from across the world, I’ve got a special parcel in the post to join one of my best friends on her wedding day in Scotland. A 10 year friendship that started when I was 21 at my first Tattoo in Edinburgh 2014. I had never met Danielle in my life, but she needed a place to sleep after a 12 hour rehearsal day so she didn’t have to drive 2 hours home at 11pm, only to drive 2 hours back at 7am for more rehearsals. I let her sleep on my dorm room floor on a pile of my clothes. She said she couldn’t possibly because I was “THE Morgan Bamford” but she soon came to realise that just because I held the world title at the time, I wasn’t as much of a snob as she had anticipated 😅. From there a special friendship grew and we had many a laugh together, at times we weren’t overly mature… but that’s what it’s about when you’re young right? We have performed in 3 Tattoos together, caught up in Scotland over the years on multiple occasions, I’ve spent a winter Christmas in her family home, our dancers have competed against each other in Disneyland Paris, and last year she welcomed me, Callum and my student Solai into her home and studio with welcome arms… although this time we were a lot older and there were more cups of tea and early nights than partying until the sun came up. Dancing truely is a gift and makes for the most special of friendships. Here’s to you Danielle and Steven! Callum and I can’t wait ❤️

Tomorrow’s Monday Optional Class is “How to Practice at Home Junior” … although if you’re older and want to come you’re more than welcome. We will be covering fun ways to practice efficiently at home, as well as fitting in some cross training for part of the class. Parents welcome to come along this week to get ideas for helping with practice at home. BRING SNEAKERS. See you there.

Our girl Caitlin carrying the Swiss flag at the Basel Tattoo dress rehearsal

Our girl Portia carrying the torch for NZ at the Basel Tattoo on dress rehearsal night

Congratulations to our dancers who completed examinations with the British Association of Teachers of Dance! 🏅👏A special congratulations to the following dancers who were nominated for the Sadie Simpson Scholarships in Hawaii (wearing Lei’s in the pic): Eilidh, Charlotte, McKenna, Sofia, Hunter, Tahlia, Zoe, Phoebe 🌴🍍🦜🌺. Thank you to the Morgan B Dance Trust for funding our awards presentation

The Morgan B Dance Trust kitted us out with these AWESOME highland dance hoodies to keep us warm these winter holidays 🫶

Highland Dancer Spotlight of Excellence: Annalise Lam

Paul M. Williams Photography, in collaboration with ISN, is thrilled to shine the spotlight on Annalise Lam, a prodigious Highland dancer from Brigadoon Dance Academy Nanaimo. As the reigning champion representing British Columbia in the under-21 category, Annalise's grace and precision have consistently set her apart.

Annalise's journey is one marked by remarkable achievements. She claimed the title of Junior World Champion at the prestigious Cowal Highland Gathering Scotland, a testament to her dedication and the rich training at Brigadoon Dance Academy. Her success continued as she won the Canadian Championship for the second consecutive year, further establishing her dominance in the sport.

As we look ahead, Annalise's focus remains unwavering as she prepares to defend her titles and once again ascend the podium. Her commitment to excellence serves as an inspiration to dancers everywhere.

In this photo by Paul M. Williams, Lam's leap high cuts in the sword dance are one of the most captivating elements of Annalise's performances. These extraordinarily difficult moves require immense skill and athleticism, and Lam executes them with elegance and precision every single time. Her ability to make such complex movements look effortless is a true display of her talent.

Join us in following Annalise's journey at the ScotDance Championship Series, set to take place from July 7 to 11, 2024, in Kamloops, BC. This event promises to showcase the best of Highland dance, celebrating the rich Scottish heritage that Annalise embodies with every performance.

ScotDance Canada ScotDance British Columbia ScotDance Canada Championship Series

Thanks for coming everyone. Pretty please can you send me any photos or videos you got from tonight? Candid are great. Thanks heaps, enjoy your holidays

🏆CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR TROPHY WINNERS 🏆
Pre champ 12-13 GRACE 1st
Pre champ 14-15 SOFIA 2nd
Premier award PORTIA 2nd
Sat 29th beginner 6-7 GREER 2nd
Sat 29th beginner 9+ MIAKODA 1st
Sat 29th novice 9- PEARL 1st
Sat 29th pre premier most points PEARL 2nd
Sat 29th Premiership 7-11 CALEB 2nd
Sat 29th Premiership 12-13 MCKENNA 2nd
Sat 29th Premiership 12-13 GRACE 3rd
Sat 29th Premiership 12-13 PHOEBE 5th
Sat Premiership 14-15 SOFIA 3rd
Sat Premiership 16+ SOLAI 1st
Sat Premiership 16+ PORTIA 3rd
Sun 30th beginner 8 KEELEY 1st
Sun 30th beginner 9+ MIAKODA 1st
Sun 30th Novice 9 PEARL 2nd
Sun 30th Intermediate 12+ EILIDH 2nd
Sun 30th NZ Champs 7-11 CALEB 2nd
Sun 30th NZ Champs 7-11 CHARLOTTE 6th
Sun 30th NZ Champs 12-13 MCKENNA 2nd
Sun 30th NZ Champs 12-13 GRACE 4th
Sun 30th NZ Champs 12-13 PHOEBE 5th
Sun 30th NZ Champs 14-15 SOFIA 4th
Sun 30th NZ Champs 16+ SOLAI 1st
Sun 30th NZ Champs 16+ PORTIA 3rd
Sun 30th NZ Champs pre prem BROADSWORD 1st
Premier Encouragement CALEB
Male premier most points CALEB
Best presented pre prem MIAKODA
Best presented premier SOLAI
Most points local premier SOLAI
Most points local pre prem MIAKODA
Spirit of highland dancing RILEY

NEW ZEALAND CHAMPION ❤️ Solai, I am so proud of you. You have worked so hard throughout your dancing career to reach this achievement. After a tough year last year with an injury that pushed you to your very limits mentally, physically and emotionally - you came back more determined than ever. You committed to recovering with regular physio and daily strengthening, you’re a crazy gym bunny, and you practice at home almost every day correcting everything I ask of you. Not only that, but you attend university courses throughout the week, followed by teaching for our dance school, followed by your own lessons. I know that sometimes you’re exhausted - but you still show up and give it your all. Not only did you win for yourself this weekend, but your wee students did you proud also. Despite being Morgan B Dancers, our new generation of students are predominantly taught by you and Caitlin rather than myself, and so you both need a huge pat on the back because you have done an exceptional job. So here’s to you Solai, I loved watching you perform, it was beautiful. ❤️

Over the weekend, 49 Morgan B Dancers aged 4-18 competed at the New Zealand Highland Dancing Championships and Supporting events. Everyone danced their hearts out and gave it their all. They all made me proud in multiple ways, and I shed happy tears on more than one occasion. Thank you to all who go above and beyond for our dance school, our kids, our teachers, and our community. At times it is incredibly hard, but we have created something special that cannot be put into words (more photos to come) 🖤🩵🖤 🩵

STILL LOOKING FOR HELPERS. Please let HDAOT know asap if you or someone you know can help.