At the top of their game

Words by SALLY COFFEY

Beret Dernbach, current World Junior Champion, reveals what it’s like to compete in the World Highland Dance Championships

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There are also dance competitions at the Ballater Highland Games

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Cowal Highland Gathering World Championship trophy winners; winning competitors celebrate; Beret Dernbach; the prestigious gold medal, of which only three are produced each year (one for each age group) Beret Dernbach is just 18 years old and yet she has won the World Junior Championships for Highland dancing twice and has been named US Champion three times (she is reigning champion for both).

Of course, to reach this level of skill takes time and dedication. Beret practises dancing for at least one hour every day and attends private dancing lessons two to three times per week. During summer holidays, she usually practises twice a day to prepare for the bigger summer competitions.

But how did a young girl from San Diego, USA, become so involved in Highland dancing? The answer for Beret is simple: she holds her Scottish heritage very close.

“My gran was born in Scotland and emigrated to Canada,” she says, “Then my mom emigrated to the United States, where I was born. I still have relatives living in Scotland, who we visit when we are able to go over there.”

Beret’s mum, Allison, competed in Highland dancing when she was young, but it was never really her intention for her daughter to follow in her springing footsteps.

Allison tried to ignite Beret’s interest in a number of activities (ballet, skating, gymnastics) to no avail, but as soon as Beret attended her fi rst Highland dancing class, aged fi ve, she was hooked: “I’ve been doing it ever since,” Beret says.

For Beret, Highland dancing is now a major part of her life. Most months there is a competition somewhere, many within reasonable driving distance or a short fl ight away, but some are further afi eld, like the ScotDance Canada Championship Series or the ScotDance USA Championships.

However, the pinnacle of Highland dancing achievement is competing at the World Championships held at the Cowal Highland Gathering each August. Each year (2020 and 2021 aside) mother and

daughter, take an annual two- to three-week pilgrimage to Dunoon, travelling with Beret’s dance teacher and sometimes other pupils from the dancing school to take part. “It’s every dancer’s dream to dance on those Highland dancing has been part of the Cowal Highland Gathering since it started in 1894. In the early days, Highland famous Cowal boards, and, regardless of dancing was primarily a male pursuit, with most participants the results, it’s such an amazing experience”coming from the Scottish regiments. Over time the balance has completely changed and at Cowal over 95 per cent of competitors are now female.

For obvious reasons, this year’s gathering and the championships have been cancelled, but usually dancers compete in three championships: Juvenile for ages 12 to 15, Junior for ages 16 and 17, and Adult for ages 18 and over. Dancers are seeded based on past performance and are split into two heats. The top 10 scoring dancers in each heat then qualify to compete in the finals on the Saturday.

“The Cowal Highland Gathering is my favourite event of the year, ” Beret says.“After spending the whole year working on that year’s steps, Cowal is my opportunity to show the judges and the world what I have to offer.

“There’s obviously quite a bit of pressure to dance my best and do well but that doesn’t detract from how fun and exciting the weekend is. It’s every dancer’s dream to dance on those famous Cowal boards, and at the end of the day, regardless of the results, it’s such an amazing experience.”

However, luckily for Beret, the results tend to be good. “My proudest accomplishment is winning the World Championships twice – in 2018 and 2019. Winning worlds had been my lifelong goal and it was

As well as delighting spectators with their dancing, young Highland dancers also act as ambassadors to Scotland

amazing to finally accomplish it. I am also quite proud of winning three United States Championships, two North American Championships, five Western Region Championships, and other titles locally and abroad.”

But with lockdown bringing a halt to all competitive dancing, has Beret taken the time to put her tired feet up? Not so for this committed dancer.

“Even though we’re not able to compete right now, I am still practising hard in anticipation of my next competition, whenever

and wherever that may be,” she says.

“I practise at least one hour daily plus an additional hour of cross training/stretching and attend lessons regularly either virtually or in person.”

Beret has found time to practise over FaceTime with Kate, another dancer from her dancing class, though. “I look forward to it every week because we get a chance to laugh and joke around in addition to going over our corrections. We take our dancing very seriously, but we also have fun with it,” she says.

Indeed, something that might come as a surprise to people is that there is a real sense of camaraderie between the dancers: “I’ve met some of my best friends through Highland dancing,” Beret says. “At the end of the day, regardless of how the day went or who ended up winning, we all are so excited to go back to the hotel and meet at the pool or go out for dinner after the competition is done.”

Beret’s mum, Allison, says this sense of shared experience is equally strong among parents: “ Last year, the mother of Cole Leslie [current Canadian Junior Champion – Ed] and I chose to sit together at the

World Championships as the mothers of the current US and Canadian Junior Champions, competing against each other for the world title. We cheered on both of our kids, and despite the competitiveness, there is no one else I would have preferred to sit with.”

As well as delighting spectators with their dancing, young Highland dancers also act as ambassadors to Scotland.

“Highland dancing has also given me some great non-competitive opportunities. I have danced on the news several times to promote events,” Beret says. “I participated in an ad campaign for The Queen Mary Scotsfestival in Long Beach, which led to me being on a billboard, and I even got to do a dance called the Earl of Errol for the future Earl of Errol.”

What next for this young lady who has already achieved so much?

“My goal is to win at least one more World Championship title,” she says. “This time it will have to be in the 18 and over Adult division, which is actually much more difficult as the older dancers have an advantage over the younger dancers because they are much more experienced. It will not be an easy goal to accomplish, but I am working hard every day to try to accomplish it.”

Beret also hopes to pass her skill and passion on to a new generation of Highland dancers, by earning her teaching credentials this year.

“Highland dancing has given me so many great opportunities and life lessons and I cannot wait to pass those along to my future students,” she says. S

You can keep up to date with the latest on the 2022 World Highland Dance Championships and Cowal Highland Gathering at cowalgathering.com ABOVE: Dancers at the Ballater Highland Games

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LEFT: Dancers with Ghillie, the Gathering’s mascot; 2019 World Championship competitors; the trophy presentation at the Cowal Highland Games