McConnell School of Highland Dance
By Infinity Dance
Highland Dance Background Information:
Established in 1996
Provided instruction and training for dancers in recreational, competitive & professional dance.
Dancers have competed across Canada, USA, Scotland, New Zealand, & Australia.
Currently offer classes for out of town dancers through Zoom.
Numerous nominations for the STDA North American Scholarship.
Karen PILLMAN
Director of Highland- Infinity Dance Inc
Originally from Edmonton, Karen Pillman started dance at the age of four and began a
long Highland Dance career at the age of nine. Miss Karen was a successful
competitor for over ten years dancing across Canada and Scotland.
Upon retirement from competitive dance at the Premier level, Miss Karen taught for the
Allison Lamont School of Dance in Lloydminster, and Freehouse Dance Plus in
Calgary. Once settling in Medicine Hat, Miss Karen opened the McConnell School of
Highland Dance in 1996.
The McConnell School of Highland Dance has grown over the years and our dancers
compete in Canada and internationally. Our international highlights include the British
Overseas Championship, New Zealand Championship, International Festival of
Highland Dance Championship in Australia and the World Highland Dance
Championship in Scotland.
Now with over thirty years of teaching experience and knowledge, Miss Karen is a
Professional Member of the Scottish Dance Teachers Alliance (SDTA), and ScotDance
Canada.
Miss Karen strives to provide dancers the highest level of training to reach their goals,
recreationally or competitively.
Miss Karen’s daughter, Meghan retired in 2012 after a successful career in Highland
Dance. Meghan was the first dancer in Medicine Hat's history to enter the World
Highland Dance Championships in Dunoon, Scotland.
Abby Lalatch
2 nd year Education student with Medicine Hat College (Dean’s List)
Keeper for Medicine Hat Rattler’s Soccer
Championship Highland Dancer
SDTA Associate Professional Membership Candidate
2 years Highland Dance teaching experience
Additional Support:
Eric Kean
Pipe Major with the South Alberta Pipes and Drums
ScotDance Canada Competition Piper
Background check with vulnerable sector available
McConnel Highland School Of Dance
by Infinity Dance!
Recreational Session Programs!
Tuesday:
5:00-6:00: Teen Highland (11+ years old)
Wednesday:
5:00-5:30: PreSchool Highland Dance (3-4 years old)
5:30-6:15: Primary Highland Dance (5-6 years old)
7:30-8:30: Adult Highland Dance (16+)
Thursday:
5:00-6:00: Recreational Highland (7-10 years old)
Register Online Today!
More Information:
ScotDance Canada Professional Membership:
ScotDance Canada is a federal charity, whose objectives are to oversee the
preservation and promotion of Scottish highland dancing through competitions,
specifically the ScotDance Canada Championship Series, featuring the Canadian
Championships. By involving thousands of dancers across Canada and around the
world, ScotDance Canada, through competitions and demonstrations, works to ensure
that the public is educated about the correct technique of Scottish highland dancing. We
strive to ensure that a safe, all-inclusive environment exists for our professional
membership, competitive and non-competitive dancers, and competition organizers.
For a dancer to compete in sanctioned competitions, they must be registered with
ScotDance each year and progress through the levels is tracked by their card. The
cards are signed by their ScotDance Professional member (teacher) to be accepted.
Levels:
Primary
Beginner
Novice
Intermediate
Scottish Dance Teacher Alliance
The Scottish Dance Teachers’ Alliance has been providing first class training and
support for both dancers and dance teachers worldwide since we were established by
leading Scottish professionals in 1934.
Examinations are provided through the SDTA and follow a set syllabus. Exams are
offered from ages 3 to professional levels. Dancers are tested on dance and theory
abilities. Exams are offered in person, through zoom or video recordings.
Dance Performances
MSHD is asked to provide entertainment for a verity of events around the city from
private events (birthdays and weddings) to Canada Day, Mavericks Baseball, Robbie
Burns, etc.
Competitions
All competitions are sanctioned by ScotDance Canada (RSOBHD) and dancers enter
themselves as much or as little as they like.
Scotland Tours
A tradition of MSHD is to travel every four years to Scotland and allow our dancers the
experience of dancing in the country that created Highland Dance! Over the past 25
years we have traveled to Scotland 5 times and are preparing to go in August of 2026.
Competitive dancers over the age of seven are eligible to participate.
Social Media
Website: www.mcconnellschoolofhighlanddance.com
Facebook:
Instagram: @mshdance