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If dance Is your Muse . . .
When she dances, Jo says, “I feel it in my system,
I arrive inside myself, vibrant, energised, balanced, a
rightness to life, joy, connection.”
 Have you ever longed to be the one at a dance – or
on stage - hoppin’ and leppin’ and doing amazingly
tricky things with your feet? Fulfill the dream and come
to a course in Cape Breton Step Dance (think
tap dance crossed with Riverdance).
Cape Breton step dancing originated in Scotland then traveled
with immigrants to Cape Breton Island which is off the
coast of Nova Scotia in Canada. It looks like Irish dancing,
but with relaxed arms and the weight more fully on the
foot. To emphasise the percussive sound dancers wear hard
shoes – even tap shoes.
 The style of dance is done in accompaniment to a melody
instrument such as a fiddler, playing traditional jigs,
reels and strathspeys from Scotland or Cape Breton Island.
Once you’ve learned the steps you can use them in
Scottish or Irish set dancing, bush dances or solo dancing.
Kiss your wallflower days goodbye – be ready to float
like a butterfly, clatter like a xylophone!
“Jo is an eloquent improvisational dancer with
a great sympathy for the music. I’ve seen her teach
dance and feel she is a gifted, naturally skilled teacher.
She has the ability to notice and help individuals while
monitoring and teaching the whole class, and is an excellent
demonstrator.” (Grey Larsen, internationally
renowned Irish flute player, composer and teacher)
Jo offers Cape Breton stepdance classes for beginners
and intermediate level dancers. New courses start every
school term in Canberra, and workshops are available
for festivals, private organisations and schools.
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