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
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
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
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
Graham Donald
Convenor of E&T Committee
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.
Linda Williamson
Convenor of YS Committee
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.
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
Christopher Smith
Trustee
Charly Candia
Trustee
Duncan Brown
Trustee
I have been a member of the RSCDS for over 30 years and I have served on the committee of a number of Branches, including 3 years as Chairman of Exeter Branch. I am keen to explore ways in which the Society can achieve a higher level of member engagement and understand the reasons why dancers choose not to join the RSCDS.
William Gray
Trustee
I have extensive experience of serving on boards and committees as a senior manager who worked in the public sector for many years. I aim to contribute to the modernisation of the Society and seek ways to encourage more young people to be active in what we do and to secure the future of this part of our traditional Scottish culture.
Debra McAlees
Trustee
Jon Berridge
Chief Operating Officer
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.
Sandra Parish
Finance Manager
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.
Kirsty Bernard
Events and Marketing Manager
Over the past 13 years I have had the pleasure of working at various luxury exclusive-use venues in and around Edinburgh. I am excited to bring that experience to the RSCDS as it enters an exciting new chapter. I am looking forward to promoting Scottish Country Dance to audiences - both online through our digital platforms and at events for dancers of all levels.
Cécile Hascoët
Publications and Membership Officer
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.
Alan Macpherson
Honorary Archivist
Katie Haigh
Child Wellbeing & Protection Officer
Education & Training Committee
Graham Donald
Convener
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.
Janet Johnston
Schools Director
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
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.
Aymeric Fromherz
Member
By joining the E&T Committee, I would like to bring my experience playing for and interacting with many different teachers to help new musicians get into playing for Scottish Country Dancing, existing and future teachers to collaborate with and mentor newer musicians, and generally to facilitate the use of both live and recorded music in classes.
Maria Elena Bonacini
Member
Membership Services Committee
Jeremy Hill
Convenor
Ian T. Muir
Music Director
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
Beatrix Wepner
Member
Niall Bootland
Member
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
Erica De Gannes
Member
I bring collaborative experience from working on other committees and planning events, experience in writing and editing toolkits and other documents, as well as enthusiasm and appreciation for the RSCDS and SCD. I am particularly interested in developing resources to help branches engage their existing members and promote SCD more widely.
Youth Services Committee
Linda Williamson
Convenor
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
William Thomson
Member
Ilona Brown
Member
Julia Turi
Member
My aim is to help spread the joy of Scottish dancing amongst young people and grow the community of young dancers. I aim to make it easier for young people in Europe to learn about Scottish dancing. I would also like to aid young members on their dancing journeys and help maintain a positive and welcoming environment for them.
