Forrester School of Dance

The Forrester School of Dance was founded by Eileen Pottie Forrester, a champion dancer, in 1965 and is now in its 59th year. The school is co-directed by Eileen’s daughter, Shannon whom is the owner and CEO of the Forrester Centre. www.forrestercentre.ca Eileen’s two sisters, Faye and Sandra were both highland dancers and one was a bagpiper and the other a drummer. Both played in several bands over the years and were Eileen’s first dance teachers. Eileen’s professional career was mentored by the infamous and former World Highland Dance Champion, formerly from Scotland, Sandra Bald Jones. She has been a constant source of help and support in Eileen’s life since 1963. The school offers competitive and recreational dancing in highland dance, step dance, hip hop jazz, specialized choreography and liturgical dance. They have been the only local school specifically trained in liturgical dance by Eileen, who had training with Sisters from the CND in the late eighties. For 74 consecutive years Eileen’s family has been training dancers in our Scottish culture uninterrupted and it’s Eileen’s intention to ensure her legacy will continue in the capable hands of her eldest daughter Shannon, whom has been teaching alongside her mother for 33 years. Shannon’s love of Cape Breton and our strong heritage will definitely continue with the same love and passion as her mother. Eileen has trained many dancers to become teachers over the years and some are running successful schools locally and beyond. The dance company has been invited to represent Canada, their province and of course their strong culture during many International Folk Festivals around the world. Some notable festivals were in the US, several times, including 22 shows on the main stage, at Epcot during “Rhythms of the World”, Canada, Europe and Asia.