About
Our studio takes its name from the ancient kingdom of Dalriada that spanned parts of Scotland and Northern Ireland around the 5th century AD. The kingdom covered what is now known as County Antrim in Northern Ireland to the Inner Hebrides and Argyll in Scotland.
Meet The Team
Our Highland and Irish Teacher
Kathy Ferguson
Kathy has been involved in Highland Dancing since she was four years of age. Her first teacher, Mrs Innes Barker, inspired a lifetime love of Highland Dancing that Kathy is keen to pass on to others. Kathy competed successfully for 32 years throughout Australia, Scotland, Canada and the United States and considers amongst the highlights, dancing as a finalist in the Adult World Highland Dancing Championships in 1997. Kathy has been teaching Highland Dancing for 28 years in various locations around Australia, and has now settled in Townsville to establish the Dalriada Studio. She has trained many championship dancers who have competed successfully in Australia and overseas, and many of her dancers have performed at international events including the Edinburgh Military Tattoo. Kathy gained her judge’s qualification in 1991 and was accepted onto the Scottish Official Board World Wide Judges Panel in 1997. She regularly adjudicates at major championships within Australia and overseas and was thrilled to adjudicate at the World Highland Dancing Championships in Scotland in 2016. Kathy is an examiner with the Scottish Dancing Association of Australia and remains heavily involved in the administration of Highland Dancing at local, state and national level.
Kathy started Irish Dancing with the Margaret Furniss School of Dancing in Townsville. She competed successfully at state and national level before gaining her teachers qualification (TCRG) with An Coimisium le Rinci Gaelacha (CLRG) in 1994. While living in Canberra, Kathy trained with Tir an Oir before gaining her adjudicator’s qualification (ADCRG) in 2009. She regularly adjudicates at competitions and eisteddfods throughout Australia.
