People | Royal Scottish Country Dance Society

The RSCDS office-bearers and current office staff are listed below. To get in touch with an office-bearer, please email [email protected] and we will be happy to pass along your message. Current office staff, with areas of responsibility and email addresses, are provided below.

Gary Coull

Chair

[email protected]

As the RSCDS enters our centenary year it’s important that we capitalise on this momentous occasion to showcase Scottish country dancing to the world. I am a qualified RSCDS teacher of 9 years. I served as Branch Chairman during Banffshire’s 80th anniversary and have been a member of the RSCDS Management Board.

Sebastian Wanless

Chair Elect

[email protected]

As Chair-Elect, I will support the Chair as the Society evolves into its second century. I personally promote Scottish country dancing with passion and will use both innovative outreach and state-of-the-art technology to attract new generations of dancers. Engaging directly with Branches to support their needs would also be key to future success.

Lizzy Conder

Treasurer

[email protected]

I am an experienced chartered accountant and chartered tax adviser with a strong background in charity, investment and commercial finance roles. I have been a member of Finance and Governance Advisory Panel (FGAP) since 2017 and served on the Youth Services Committee for two years. I am a qualified RSCDS teacher and a regular dancer.

Jeremy Hill

Convenor of MS Committee

[email protected]

I am passionate about the Society’s global role connecting individuals and groups with common interests and to further its unique success combining historical and present-day dancing relevance. I want to build for the future on the activities of the centenary year.

Deb Lees

Convenor of E&T Committee

[email protected]

My core aim is to work in an integrated way with E&T committee members, Management Board, other committees and office staff to provide support and resources that will develop teachers and dancers at all levels.

Linda Williamson

Convenor of YS Committee

[email protected]

I believe that my passion for and extensive knowledge gained through teaching Scottish Country Dancing, as well as the experience gained in my professional career working with children and young people gives me some of the knowledge required for this position.

Stephen Hartley

Trustee

I have been active in country dancing, reeling and ceilidhs since 2018. I aim to increase the number of young members, promote the use of technology in delivering Society objectives, and ensure that our activities are fun, inclusive, and a safe space for all.

Fiona Miller

Trustee

Having been born in Scotland, I am a lifelong Scottish country dancer. I am SCD teacher in Alberta, Canada, where I have lived for over 40 years. I am an RSCDS mentor, tutor and CTI instructor and love promoting the joy and benefits of Scottish country dancing for all ages.

Heather Cowan

Trustee

My goal is to help drive the strategic aims of the society ensuring that dancing is accessible to all ages, abilities and localities thereby promoting happiness and health and wellbeing benefits.
I have previously volunteered on affiliated groups, at branch level and through the running of Spring Fling.

Evelyn Redmond

Trustee

I have been a qualified teacher for over 30 years and have taught at all levels. I have also taught at Summer School and am now a CTI trainer. I have served on the Branch Committee for over ten years, among other things leading the Events Sub-committee. I believe that anything worth doing is worth doing well and that is my approach to SCD.

Eilean Yates

Trustee

For many years I was the Director of Scottish Country Dancing at both Loch Norman and Grandfather Mountain Highland Games. I would like to help achieve an organization where RSCDS feels more inclusive to Branches with different cultures that are far removed geographically from Scotland.

Clare Grycuk

Trustee

I have been Chairman of the Aberdeen Branch, danced in festivals and helped organise Spring Fling. I feel it is important to bring the views and suggestions of regular dancers to the Board and I would like to ensure that we have practical, workable plans in place to encourage and welcome dancers of all ages and abilities to the RSCDS.

Christopher Smith

Trustee

Charly Candia

Trustee

Jon Berridge

Chief Operating Officer

[email protected]

0131 220 1656

After 30 years overseas in New York, Hong Kong, Manila, Singapore and Vancouver, I moved back to the UK in 2014. I hold a master's degree in Non-Profit Management and have ten years of experience in senior management and board positions in the non-profit sector. I am delighted to be working with the wonderful team and dedicated volunteers at the RSCDS and I look forward to helping the Society grow.

Angela MacGregor

Receptionist

[email protected]

0131 225 3854

Cécile Hascoët

Publications and Membership Officer

[email protected]

0131 243 0761

I started my working career as a bookseller and then as a publishing assistant. I now enjoy my role here in retail and membership services. I manage the RSCDS shop, but also assist the Membership Services Committee and the Editorial team in their various projects. I also process Branch awards and membership renewals.

Sandra Parish

Finance Manager

[email protected]

0131 243 0764

I am an ACCA affiliate, currently working towards becoming a Certified Accountant. As part of my diverse role I look after the day-to-day finances at the RSCDS, from dealing directly with suppliers, to the preparation and analysis of budgets and quarterly Management Accounts. I also administer funding applications for JMMF and the Development Fund.

Moira Thomson

Events Manager

[email protected]

0131 243 0766

I am responsible for RSCDS event management including Summer School, Winter School, AGM and Spring Fling. I also currently support the Education and Training Committee.

Lyndsay Walker

Communications and Marketing Officer

[email protected]

0131 225 3854

I am responsible for marketing and communications within the Society, including the Dance Scottish Together newsletters and the RSCDS social media platforms. I also support the Youth Services Committee.

Ewelina Juzwin

Graphic Design and Website Officer

[email protected]

0131 243 0765

I am responsible for the majority of graphic design work within the Society, as well as the overlooking of the RSCDS website. I feel very lucky to be able to contribute to the society's great cause of developing and promoting this vibrant and creative part of Scottish culture worldwide.

Alan Macpherson

Honorary Archivist

[email protected]

0131 243 0768

Alan Macpherson volunteers as the Honorary Archivist for the RSCDS.

Katie Haigh

Child Wellbeing & Protection Officer

[email protected]

Katie Haigh volunteers as the RSCDS Child Wellbeing & Protection Officer. In her professional life she is a primary school teacher who has regular up to date training and experience in Child Wellbeing and Protection.

Education & Training Committee

Deb Lees

Convenor

[email protected]

I have previously been a member of the Education and Training Committee and I would like to build on that experience and play a part in the continuing development of the Society.

Graham Donald

Convener-Elect

I have been involved with the RSCDS for over 40 years as a dancer, teacher, adjudicator and tutor in many branches around the world. I aim to enhance the enjoyment and knowledge of all dancers by providing materials which support the promotion of Scottish Country Dancing and preserve the heritage of dance and music.

Fiona Mackie

Schools Director

Amy Drysdale

Member

I aim to contribute to the ongoing advancement of Scottish country dance teaching, training and continuing development, particularly as we celebrate the RSCDS centenary and look to its future.

David Hall

Member

My aim is to pursue the challenge of combining an emphasis on social inclusion and enjoyment of Scottish country dancing (SCD) with the benefits of improving dancing standards more generally. I want to promote the teaching of technique within a social context and make SCD appealing to a wide diversity of people, notably encouraging young people

Gail Inglis

Member

I believe I have the skills of working and cooperating with people of all ages and backgrounds and I have experience of developing policies and strategies and putting them into practice. I would aim to promote and encourage people to become involved in healthy activity, to recognise the value of belonging to a group and the benefits of pursuing hobbies.

Abbie Brown

Member

Without confident teachers to convey their enjoyment of SCD, we wouldn’t be the society we are today, or the one we wish to be. I think it is important to gain a variety of experience through teaching and observing other teachers. As part of E&T, I will aim to help teachers, instructors and group leaders across the globe.

David Queen

Member

I strongly believe in developing prospective teachers and instructors through diverse teaching routes and widening participation. I am also keen to develop and expand existing resources to support teachers in encouraging newer dancers.

Fiona Grant

Member

Helping dancers to teach dancing is such fun and a great way to encourage more participation in SCD. Let’s show our friends how to dance and access the plethora of teaching resources offered by the RSCDS: on the website, at summer and winter schools, and at every class and workshop run by a branch, affiliated group, or other dance group.

Deirdre MacCuish Bark

Member

I first danced as a child with the Girl Guides in Inverness, and have danced for over 40 years in Canada. I have served on committees in Toronto , TAC and the RSCDS. My interest is particularly in Education and Training, having been involved in the transition from the old exam system to the new Unit system , now with the development and introduction of CTI.

Membership Services Committee

Jeremy Hill

Convenor

[email protected]

I am passionate about the Society’s global role connecting individuals and groups with common interests and to further its unique success combining historical and present-day dancing relevance. I want to build for the future on the activities of the centenary year.

Luke Brady

Music Director

[email protected]

A Dance Band Leader and Scottish Music Performer for over 20 years, I have also been a dedicated and active member of the RSCDS organisation at both Local and International level for over 15 years.

Ian T. Muir

Music Director Designate

[email protected]

I have experience of playing accordion professionally since 1978. During my career, I have travelled extensively, playing for Scottish country dance events all over the world. I have also recorded several Scottish country albums and I have tutored for 28 years. I am looking forward to new challenges ahead.

Susan MacFadyen

Member

As a dance band leader, I travel the length and breadth of the UK and beyond giving me the opportunity to converse with members out with my local area. I aim to be an effective member of the MS team to help plan and deliver projects that would be of great value to the membership.

Beatrix Wepner

Member

I feel my experience from over 30 years within the society along with my professional work in foresight studies will be beneficial to bring a forward-looking perspective to meet the future needs of the members.

Niall Bootland

Member

I am passionate about all things Scottish country dancing, a hobby that continues to bring me much joy and a wonderful community of friends, and I want to support the work of the RSCDS and bring the benefits of Scottish dancing to even more people.

Paul McKnight

Member

I’d like to contribute to the running of the RSCDS by providing input from my own experience as a dancer, as a previous member of branch committee and from my professional life as an accountant. I’d like to help the RSCDS achieve its goals and ensure the society continues for future generation of dancers.

Katharine Hoskyn

Member

I enjoy being part of the worldwide Scottish country dancing community, having danced in New Zealand, Australia and the United Kingdom and also maintained contact with dancers in other countries. My primary aim is to support the RSCDS strategic plan/goals.

Deborah Crossley

Member

I believe in the RSCDS as a caring, compassionate community with a shared passion - to dance together to the music we love. I want to help the RSCDS to move forward, and to take its membership with it, and for members to continue to feel connected to their organisation.

Youth Services Committee

Linda Williamson

Convenor

[email protected]

I believe that my passion for, and knowledge of Scottish Country Dancing, as well as the experience I have gained in my professional career working with young people for many years will be of benefit to the Youth Services Committee.

Shona MacFadyen

Member

I feel it is important to encourage young people in to dancing and support them through the RSCDS Youth Services Committee by providing opportunities for them to meet and dance with other young dancers like them from all over the country and world.

Sarah Oswald

Member

Scottish music and country dancing has always been part of my life as my dad plays the accordion and has a dance band and my mum is a country dancer so I was taken to dances when I was in my pushchair! I believe that we need to get more young people involved if we are to keep Scottish dancing alive for many years to come.

Beth Fairbairn

Member

I will be supporting young dancers who are isolated in their area to make connections with others, and to encourage global connections between young dancers, either through events or virtually through social media. I would also like to encourage young musicians, and to provide more opportunities for young dancers to be involved in music-making.

Lucy Phillips

Member

I will be working to support branches in offering more children’s classes and improving adult class offerings to better welcome new young dancers; to advocate for more support for university groups, particularly to aid with travel to festivals and day school events; to encourage branches to allow children at events.

Emma Sellke

Member

As part of the Youth Committee I would like to encourage more young people to dance, and to make dancing accessible to all dancers. I would like to make sure that young people who don't live in the UK can get in touch more easily and find out more about the RSCDS and its opportunities.

William Thomson

Member

The RSCDS can only last as long as its youngest members. On the Youth Services Committee, we need to work out how to appeal to them. Scottish dancing particularly struggles to recruit young men: on the committee, I want to engage them.

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There are 159 RSCDS Branches and over 300 Affiliated Groups in more than 50 countries around the world, located on all continents (except Antarctica).

They organise and run classes, dances and other social events in their own areas and are committed to helping develop Scottish Dance and Music for future generations.

We encourage you to try Scottish Country Dancing for yourself to see just how much fun it can be, so please come along and learn how to 'Dance Scottish'.

Wherever you are in the world there is most likely Scottish Country Dancing.

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