Founded in 1947 and incorporated
in 1978, the Manitoba Highland 
Dancers' Association (MHDA) is a non-profit
organization run by volunteers.
This organization provides our dancers with high caliber competitions, honoraria, scholarships and workshops. We rely on membership fees, donations, grants and fundraising events. The association functions on a year round basis, coordinating 6 competitions each year (two of which are championships). The MHDA runs these competitions starting in the Fall and ending in the early summer. Each year the association runs the Manitoba Closed Championships, where dancers are selected to represent Manitoba at the Inter-Provincial Championships held each year in the month of July.
Our dancers, ranging in age from four year to adulthood, are taught by a body of certified highland dance teachers. All teachers are members of ScotDance Manitoba, a provincial affiliate of ScotDance Canada, and governed by the Scottish Official Board of Highland Dancing.
Are you looking for a dance teacher for the upcoming year? Click here for a list of teachers in your area
ATTENTION:
There was a change in mail hosting earlier this year. If you were having your mbhighlanddance.com email forwarded to another address before, Please contact Keith Rempel at krempel@mbhighlanddance.com with your updated forwarding email address.This includes all teachers listed on the teachers list, as you may be receiving inquiries about teaching. If you want to use your mbhighlanddance email address directly, contact Keith as well, and he will direct you to how to access it or download it to your email, blackberry, iphone, etc.
Upcoming Events
May 6, 2012
2012 Manitoba Closed Championship and Selection Meet & MHDA Closed Pre-Premier Competition @ St. James Civic Centre (2055 Ness Ave)
June 9-10, 2012
Mid-Canada Open Competition and Championship and Lord Selkirk Premiership@ The Forks Under the Canopy
In Memorium
Lynn Stephen
1950-2012
With sadness we announce Lynn Stephen's passing. She died peacefully on Tuesday, April 10, 2012. Lynn's passion and expertise was working with children and teaching. Following graduation from University of Winnipeg (BA 1971), she worked as a Child Life Specialist at Winnipeg Children's Hospital, specializing in play therapy, medical play, art therapy and pre-operative teaching. In 1987 Lynn left this role to focus full-time on the Lynn Stephen School of Highland Dance, which enabled her to continue her work with children, focus on her Scottish heritage, and use her creative talents as a choreographer. For over 40 years Lynn taught and mentored children in Highland dance, some as young as age four through to adulthood. She viewed dance as an opportunity to learn life lessons, build character, develop caring relationships, and develop good citizenship.
Lynn was a Member of the SDTA, ScotDance Manitoba and ScotDance Canada and Honorary Member of the Manitoba Highland Dancers Association. When Lynn formally began the Lynn Stephen School of Highland Dance, in 1968, she set a high teaching standard which she adhered to faithfully for her entire career. Her dancers’ achievements over her career are a testament to her philosophy, her work ethic and her passion for Highland Dance. Lynn had a special teaching process, and when used along with her dedication and patience she could bring out the best in each individual dancer. Lynn had an exceptional talent for choreography. She had the ear for great music and the eye for intriguing, innovative movements giving her dancers the tools for wonderful performances. Lynn was like a 2nd mom to many dancers. She spent countless hours to help dancers be successful in many walks of life. Her relationships were not ALL about dancing…it was about life lessons, mentorship.
As a ScotDance Manitoba member, Lynn was always actively working towards growth of Highland Dance in Manitoba. She was innovative in her thinking with the needs of all dancers as a motivating force. She was instrumental in planning many professional sessions and amateur workshops bringing in wonderful colleagues from across the country and overseas to share expertise and delight our dancers. She saw the value in cultivating the Scottish connection and providing opportunity for our dancers that they might never otherwise have had. In 1995, she co founded the Winnipeg Scottish Festival Manitoba Open Championship and Highland Dance Competition. SDM was fortunate to work with someone who had incredible organizational skills. Regardless of which position she held on the executive, Lynn contributed her ideas and devoted her time to solve problems. She was ever mindful that teaching dance was not about us as professionals, but it was always about the dancers, our children, her kids.
ScotDance Manitoba will be forever blessed because Lynn was a member. We will carry with us her passion for dance and continue the path she forged. She inspired us, made us think a little deeper and her actions reminded us that when we work together, we can bring the world to our doorstep, we are stronger for it and it is our dancers who will always benefit.
Renewed registration is done for the year. See our Regular Membership Page for your registration forms, or register online if you missed registering, or want to register a new registration.
News andEVENTS
Contact Us
You can reach us at:
Manitoba Highland Dancers'
Association
Box 2491 Stn Main
Winnipeg, MB R3C 4A7
Phone Number: (204) 989-3479
