On April 11 and 12 the Bermuda Islands Pipe Band Dancers successfully completed their Highland and Scottish National Exams to enhance their ability and experience in an activity which some have decided to pursue as a possible professional career. They will be presented with their awards and certificates on the evening of July 2 at a fund-raising concert involving the Bermuda Islands Pipe Band and the dancers at Saltus Grammar School.“There were some excellent results this year,” noted Marissa Stones, Secretary of the Pipe Band Foundation.The exams were especially intense this year as one of the examiners assessing the dancers’ skills was the President of the Scottish Official Board of Highland Dance, Shendl Harvey. The exams marked the end of the East Canadian tour that Miss Harvey had been on to judge some of the most talented dancers in the Highland Dancing community.Nine-year-old Cerra Simmons was one of the dancers who participated in the local examinations, and stated that dancing for Shendl Harvey has so far been her most significant experience as a Highland dancer. For her exam, Cerra explained that she “had to demonstrate how to do a bow, which is what the dancers do before and after they perform” and had to successfully master the correct stances of a Highland dancer. Cerra has been dancing since she was six years old and said that she has “always wanted to perform for people” and plans to continue dancing as a hobby. Cerra is also participating in the concert held at Saltus on July 2. In the concert, Cerra said, she “will be dancing the choreography to the Red Hot Chili Peppers”.Another local dancer, Sarah Hopkin, has also had a successful year. Earlier this year, Sarah completed the Scottish Award 1 for Highland Dances which required her to successfully perform complicated techniques including a six-step Highland Fling, a six-step Sean Triubhas, a 3+1 Sword Dance and a “Square Reel”. Sarah singled out the Sword Dance as “really exhausting”, but remained proud of her performance as she achieved a Highly Commended in the exam. She received the same outstanding result for her Scottish Award 1 for National Dances which included dances called the Highland Laddie, Blue Bonnets and Scotch Measure. The third dance she had to learn especially for the exam. She described the high-pressure examination as “nerve-wracking” because she had to do the exam alone. Although she admitted making a few mistakes, she “enjoyed the opportunity to receive suggestions on how to improve my dancing from a world-class Highland dancer, judge and teacher.”Next year Sarah is hoping to take her Teacher’s Exam, which includes learning the theory behind the dance movements and main steps of five dances. At the end of the exam, Sarah “will be a fully qualified teacher of Highland dances and [she] could teach anywhere in the world.” Although she described this upcoming exam as “very scary”, she is eagerly anticipating doing it “as it will provide many opportunities when I go to university next year.”In order to maintain and enhance their skills, the dancers devote their time to consistent practice and studying of the dances. The concert on July 2 will showcase these dancers’ unique abilities and will bring more attention to the effort that goes into what will surely be an exciting and distinctive performance. The dancers will be doing traditional highland and Scottish national dances and a few ‘choreographies’ that were created by Emily Tolson-Pienaar and Lisa Siese.Tickets for the Bermuda Islands Pipe Band and Dance Division concert at Saltus Grammar School on July 2 at 7pm are $20, $10 for seniors and children under 12. They are available in advance from BIPB members and at the door.