Authentic ~ Inspired ~ Optimistic ~

Spiritual ~ Emotional ~ Dedicated…..

and a little bit Weird.

Dana and her entourage, The Pride of Stewart Highland Dancers

I met Dana just two years ago, when dancers from her school performed onstage with the Tartan Terrors. What a show it was. The synergy between the dancers and the band members was incredible to watch. Chris—my son and one of the lead singers—remarked on how much the band enjoyed having the dancers onstage, and as an audience member, I couldn’t agree more. I even managed to capture a few photos.

It was after that performance that I reached out to Dana. I wanted more opportunities to photograph the dancers, and over the next couple of years, I was fortunate to have several chances to photograph not only the dancers but also the parents and teachers. What a family they created, and what passion they brought to their craft.

The Pride of Stewart Highland Dance Academy taught me many lessons during that time. It showed me what true dedication to a craft looks like, as well as the remarkable level of parental involvement. It was a collective buy-in to a lifestyle—one that truly demonstrated genuine commitment. This was, without question, one big family.

During a photo session on a farm, I interviewed some of the senior dancers and asked what kept them coming back year after year. Their answers went far beyond competition success. They spoke of the road trips, the friendships, and the time spent with fellow dancers, parents, and teachers. Many of their closest friends were the dancers themselves, after more than a decade together. It was a sense of belonging to an extended family where the collective mattered more than any individual. These were genuine friendships, built to last.

From our very first meeting, there was an instant bond with Dana. Her passion—for her craft and her students—is unmistakable. This truly is an extended family, and it was both a delight and a privilege to be welcomed into such a tightly knit group. I felt a genuine, personal investment in these dancers.

What drew me in most was the chance to capture that shared passion. It all came together when I photographed a recital earlier this year—I was completely hooked. Dana opened the door, giving me a close-up view of this world and introducing me to a collective passion shared by the entire dance family, led in no small part by her. Thank you, Dana, for bringing me into this world.

Taken at the 2025 recital - the dancers of the Tartan Terrors song Sailing Home, Music and Lyrics by Christopher Kerba and his Cousin Adam Kerba.

At some point, you reached a fork in the road. At the time, it didn’t feel like it, but looking back, you realize it was a big moment. One that changed your life. Describe yours.

I began highland dance lessons at age 5 at the Burns School of Dancing in Oshawa. At age 10, my teacher, Kathy Hambly, encouraged my parents to seek further training with a new teacher. We decided to join the Dalliday Dancers. I competed under Sherry Dalliday for many years until heading off to university. Life became very busy, and highland became a thing of the past. University courses, part-time jobs, a young marriage, two little boys, and a new teaching career all took their time at the forefront. But one random phone call from the owner of Burns School in the summer of 1996 put my life on a new and unexpected path. “Is this the Dana-Lynn who once took highland lessons at Burns? We’re wondering if you would be willing to start up a highland program with us?” We started with a small group of dancers at the studio and stayed for 2 years before I was given permission to head off on my own and take the dancers with me! Pride of Stewart officially took off from there. I never imagined at the time that one phone call would change so much in my life, and I could not be more grateful for that opportunity. Just look what’s happened since then!

What has been your biggest challenge, and how did you overcome it?

Being a director of a highland dance studio has brought many challenges - the endless search for studio space, recital venues & costumes, injuries to dancers & me, the ups and downs of competitions, and the devastating shutdown during Covid (which cut our dancer numbers in half). But when I step back to look at the big picture, I see that the biggest challenge has been “Me”. Keeping my head on straight - remaining steadfast in my vision for the studio. “Dream. Believe. Achieve.” I can only push dancers to their best when I am at mine - confident in my own teaching and leadership. At times, I need to remind myself that I know what’s best for the studio, the dancers, and the performances we create. I have a great Celtic knot around me of those who straighten my crown when I need a boost. And I have learned to mute the voices that do not align with my mission. I have taken many young dancers from Primary to Premier. I have watched those special few rise to the very top, earning championship titles including Ontario, Canadian & North American Champion. My dancers have also won titles overseas in Scotland. I have been blessed to witness my dancers perform in local community events, on stages in our province and across our country, and in many venues around the world. They always make me so proud. I have never raised my voice to yell at a dancer (except to encourage them over bagpipe music). When they love highland as much as the teacher does, negative tactics don’t need to be considered. I hope that any of my dancers, when they become teachers, share the same vision. Highland dancing is far more than just an art form. It builds amazing people while we improve their technique, strength, and stage confidence. With a crown that’s been straightened, we dance on.

What is one gem you learned on your journey that you would love to share? Alternatively, what hint would you give a younger version of yourself?

Pushing dancers to improve quickly, keep up with competitors, or prepare for the next exam level or show can be exhausting. It takes some of the magic away. Comparing this week’s results with last can drive a teacher, dancer, or parent to madness. Way back in 2007, I had 2 champions chomping their way towards huge expectations - and they both succeeded! One of them was my own son. After pulling off the highland hattrick of winning Ontario, Canadian & North American Championships that year, we all drove home wondering why we had stressed so much along the way. If we had only known what was in store, perhaps we could have enjoyed the little moments more and forgiven ourselves for the missteps and losses that crossed our path. So now, as a more experienced teacher, I tell the dancers and families - Enjoy all of it. Each step forward and every mistake on stage is leading you to the great moments that await you in the future. It’s also not just about winning the next medal, trophy, or championship. It’s about becoming everything you’ve dreamed of as you dance - chin lifted, arms in place, feet pointed, tartan soaring.

A Wee Bit of a Mishap

At the end of any competition day, the medals and trophies are presented. Every dancer hopes to be called up to be recognized for their efforts. At the end of a group’s award presentation, one dancer may be lucky enough to hear their number called to remain in costume. They will be asked to return to the stage at the end of all awards for a special presentation. We’ve been blessed as a studio, as this has happened many times.

Many years ago, at the Fergus Scottish Festival, one lovely young dancer was performing onstage, hoping all her efforts would earn impressive awards. As she danced her lovely Flora McDonald’s Fancy, her tartan skirt had other plans. The button slipped from its slit, and soon the skirt's waist was sliding down the petticoat beneath! Teachers, dance mom, and other studio supporters watched in helpless horror as the skirt served as an upturned umbrella in a windstorm. The wee dancer struggled to hold the edge of the skirt higher and higher, but knew in an instant that the dance could not be saved and was disqualified for sure. Off the stage she came, full of tears. There was no consoling her. Dancer and Mom tried desperately to recover. There was only one thing I could think of to say: “Dancer 575 - Please stay dressed!

Tears turned to laughter and hugs all around. In that moment, we all realized that life takes funny turns sometimes, and there’s not much to do to stop it. I have no recollection of which awards were won that day. I remember the tartan skirt that had plans of its own and the tiny dancer who overcame an embarrassing moment, climbing back onto the stage for the next dance with a few extra safety pins in place.

Why Highland Dance?

Why do we dance? What makes all the effort worth it? Why would a dancer push through pain to perform or compete? I’ll try my best to explain. Highland is a form of dance steeped in tradition, dating back to the ancient clans and Scottish warriors. We wear tartan on the hottest days. We dance over swords. We hear the bagpipes, and they stir something deep inside, calling us to push on through adversity and pain towards victory.

When someone loves highland dancing, there’s almost no stopping them. The music plays, and the rest of the world stands still - first the bow, then rise, and then soar. Pushing through each step, mindful of each count and the precision honed over the last days, weeks, months, and years. Higher, stronger, tighter than before. Head, arms, and feet all in exact positions. The judge may sit in front, but the dancer will decide whether the battle’s been won. As the music fades and the final bow is taken, there’s a satisfaction in having inspired and fought for the dance to the end.

I remember this feeling well from my own days as a dancer. The smile that rises from within, knowing I had done my best and that it had shown on stage. The highland dancer, formerly known as Dana-Lynn Stewart, is now the director of her own successful studio. As the teacher, I get to relive it all. I love working with each dancer, alongside my teaching staff and the parents and grandparents who have become coaches. It takes a village to raise a highland dancer, but when it comes time for the pipes to play, everything comes down to the individual. How much can they push themselves? How far down can they dig to pull out their personal best? Watching my dancers push themselves to the limits with every step, slowing only to bow, fills my heart with so much pride and sometimes even brings a tear to my eye. Watching them smile, with their own certitude, lights up the stage for me. It always feels like I’ve danced with them through every step.

These are the final words from a poem I wrote back in 1988, when I thought my highland days were possibly ending:

“I am the dancer.

Believing in myself.

Believing in dance.

All these years later, and I still believe.

That’s why we dance.”

This photo says it all about companionship, friendship and the extended family at the Pride of Stewart Highland Dance Academy.

Follow this link to see the images from the Recital and various shows:

https://www.nkerba.com/blog/pride-of-stewart-highland-dance

Follow the academy on Instagram: prideofstewarthighlanddancers

The Essence of Dana Robitaille