Bios

Fiona began Highland dancing in 1979, at the age of 7, with Jean Forbes in Dallas, Texas. She competed throughout the Southwest from 1979 to 1990. Fiona studied physical therapy at the University of North Texas. She began teaching Highland dance and founded the Dallas Highland Dancers in 1992. For her "day job", Fiona works in Customer Service at IIB, a hand-on broker-partner working directly with clients to develop long-term employee benefit solutions. Fiona teaches classes at the Mesquite location and directs the Dallas Highland Dancers. She is currently studying to sit the BATD Member's Exam. Fiona is an active member of the Daughters of Caledonia and the current secretary of the Scottish Society of Dallas. Fiona lives in Dallas with her husband, Sean, and their dog, Pennie.

Emily begin Highland dancing in 1988, at the age of 7, with Nancy Mandish in Portland, Oregon. She competed throughout the Pacific Northwest from 1989 to 1999. Emily began student teaching in 1995 and passed her Member's exam with the BATD in 1999. She earned a BMA in music and sociology from Pacific Lutheran University in 2003 and an MS in music therapy from Radford University in 2007. For her "day job", Emily contracts with several local school districts, providing music therapy services for children enrolled in special education. She is the current treasurer for FUSTA SW and is enjoying getting to know other teachers in the region through this position of service. Emily lives in Lewisivlle with her husband Michael, and their son (and member of the preschool Highland class), Gabriel.