New Zealand Academy of Highland & National Dancing

About

Highland dancing

Story

The New Zealand Academy of Highland and National Dancing (Inc) was established in 1946 with the objective to raise the standard of technique and execution and establish a fuller appreciation of the art and beauty of the national dances. The Academy fosters and maintains the Highland and National dances brought to New Zealand by the Scottish Settlers.

The vision of our founders was based on excellence of performance along with an holistic approach with an emphasis on education through

historical and theoretical knowledge
fitness through exercise progression
the achievement of dance quality through an understanding of both the presentation and technical requirements.
The aim was a complete dancer, able to perform, to teach and to adjudicate with confidence.

Through the dedicated contribution of successive Executive and Technical members, the Academy has developed examinations and qualifications to train our dancers to become eligible to adjudicate and teach and to promote the Academy. The New Zealand Academy of Highland and National Dancing is a non-profit organisation.