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Classes

Saturday Dance Classes - Spring Fling Only

There will be 2 country dance classes in the morning for each of the 3 levels of ability: Intermediate, Advanced and Very Advanced. The teachers and musicians for each class will be decided soon.

In the afternoon, dancers can choose which class they want to be in. Dancers choose 1 of the following 3 themes. The teachers and musicians for each class will be decided soon.

Dances by the seaside - Brighton is known as 'Sussex by the Sea' and is one of the most visited seaside cities in England. Whilst you are dancing by the seaside it's a great chance to dance some seaside themed dances. (Teacher: Gill. Musician: TBC)

Dances from the Scottish islands - Have you ever danced any dances from The Scottish Islands before? This class will cover different styles and techniques used in the Islands of Scotland including Shetland and Hebridean Dances. 

Class note: This class is instead of Highland and Ladies step classes to give dancers a bit of variety and it's just as energetic and exciting! If you own a pair of hard shoes (Character shoes, court shoes or jazz shoes) please bring them along. Please don't bring shoes with taps on as the hall won't allow them. If you don't have any hard shoes that's fine, you'll be fine in ghillies/ballet shoes or trainers. 

(Teachers: Duncan Brown & Sara Latto. Musicians: Chris Oxtoby & Ann Stonehouse)

Birling for dances - Birling and turning fast in a dance is so exciting but it can be difficult to control them. Bruised arms and being bashed into is no fun! Hurting yourself and others is the last thing anyone wants. This class will have the thrill of dancing these types of dances with helpful methods to be more in control to make sure everyone enjoys them. (Teacher: Faye. Musician: TBC)

Venue: Brighton Girls School

Address: Montpelier Road, Brighton, East Sussex, BNI 3AT

Sunday Dance Class - Spring Fling Only

The Sunday morning class will be a fun mixture of activity and dancing and for all abilities. This class is usually kept as a surprise but there maybe a few clues nearer the time. At the end of the class lunch will be provided at the venue. This will mark the end of the weekend. 

Venue: Brighton Girls School

Address: Montpelier Road, Brighton, East Sussex, BNI 3AT

Teachers
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Duncan Brown

Duncan has been Scottish dancing most of  his life. He was taught by his parents in York from whom he gained his love of dancing. He has been a qualified RSCDS teacher for more years than he cares to think about and has taught at 2 Spring Flings, the RSCDS Summer and Winter Schools, the New Zealand Summer School and at numerous day and weekend schools in the UK and Europe. He also teaches a weekly class in the Exeter Branch. He has been a member of the Corryvrechan Scottish Dance display team for over 20 years and last year took over as Dance Leader. He is married and has two teenage daughters who also love Scottish dancing. He is very much looking forward to teaching at Spring Fling in Brighton.

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Faye McNeil (Mather)

Faye started dancing when she was 6 and has never looked back! After moving to Edinburgh for her studies (and of course the dancing!), Faye now shares her love and enthusiasm for SCD through teaching. Whether that be in Edinburgh, at other workshops or, most recently, at the RSCDS Summer School.

She is excited to be one of our teachers for Brighton Spring Fling next year and looks forward to seeing lots of young dancers at the weekend as well as those young at heart on the dancefloor in the evening.

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Gillian O'Dell (Frew)

Born in Perth, Scotland, like most Scottish children I started dancing at primary school. But found my love for Scottish country dancing when I joined my mum in attending the Ericht Scottish Country Dance Club in Blairgowrie aged 12. Since then I completed my Teachers qualification and taught at the Glasgow University club while I completed my nursing degree. Moving to London in 2012 I took a little break from teaching but continued to dance socially. I have since taught for the London Branch of the RSCDS and most recently supported the development of the Tuesday Social - a dance space dedicated to those in their 20’s and 30’s
I’m really looking forward to Spring Fling in Brighton.

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Sara Latto

Sara started attending dance classes as a young child and received training in Ballet, Scottish Country and Highland Dance. For 14 years, she danced competitively at Highland Dance competitions and championships across the UK, winning thousands of medals and trophies. She won gold at the All England Championships and was proud to dance at the World Championships. Sara has been a member of the British Association of Teachers of Dancing for 25 years and has taught all levels of dancers, from beginner to championship standard. She relishes the challenges posed by the very technical nature of Highland Dance and enjoys working with dancers to help them master those challenges.

Sara’s other passion is display dancing. She has been a member of the display team, Corryvrechan, for over 30 years and is now one of the Team Leaders. With the Team, she has performed at festivals across Europe as well as at events throughout the UK. The Team has a longstanding history of performing dances from all aspects of the Scottish tradition: Scottish Country, Highland, Step, Hard Shoe, Hebridean and Shetland Dance. Sara is looking forward to sharing some of that knowledge with her class at Spring Fling

Musicians
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Chris Oxtoby & Ann Stonehouse

Chris (top photo) & Ann (bottom photo) play often as a duo, as part of Strathallan Scottish Country Dance Band, who will be playing for the Saturday night dance. They play regularly across the South of England and further afield, and are well known on the European circuit too. Both Ann and Chris have played for Corryvrechan display dance team for many years, travelling with them to festivals and competitions. Strathallan are well known for their cheerful smiles and interaction with their audiences and enjoy playing a wide variety of tunes from all across the world for Scottish Country dancing and ceilidhs. They are both owners of friendly dogs: Rosie, Ann’s dog, can often be found entertaining the public at dances!

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Andrew Nolan

Andrew learnt to play the piano as a child and ever since picking up Leaflet 32 for sight reading practice, has enjoyed playing for Scottish dancing ever since. He has played around the UK, Europe and further afield including the big four RSCDS events (Summer and Winter Schools, Spring Fling, and the Autumn Gathering). Aside from playing, Andrew also enjoyed teaching and tutoring for SCD having gained his teaching certificate in 2012 whilst studying in Edinburgh. 

Andrew has recently rediscovered his copies of the Marshall and Mackintosh collections and is particularly enjoying their Strathspeys. He currently lives in Edinburgh and is looking forward to some sunshine on the south coast at Spring Fling 2025.

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Adam Brady

Originally from Dundee but now living in London, Adam began playing for Scottish country dancing when he was 10 years old; joining his brother Luke's band. Since then, has been fortunate enough to have been be invited to play for workshops and dances across the UK, Europe, US, Canada, Japan and Australia. He has played for the RSCDS Spring Fling and Winter School on a number of occasions, and has played for the RSCDS Summer School every year since 2011.
He enjoys getting to dance when he has the chance and is very much looking forward to playing at Spring Fling in Brighton - one of his favourite cities! Outside of country dancing, Adam loves live music (of any kind) and searching for the perfect cup of coffee.

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