An examiner from the British Royal College of Dance has come all the way from Scotland to administer the tests as an indisputably qualified and unprejudiced outsider. The children emerge one by one from their examinations. Almost invariably the young candidates underestimate their own performances. One girl is crying, sure that she has failed. When the results are available later in the week she will learn that she made the grade after all.
B eyond the rigor of examinations lies the fun of competition.
The biggest, most prestigious events in Canada tend to be held during the summer at various Highland Games . However, smaller contests year round keep the dancers in top form. But whether the music is provided by a live piper or a stereo boom box, the competition test pieces are always the same for each type and level of dance.