In traditional Highland dress, her friend danced with an almost weightless grace, rising onto the balls of her feet and tracing clean, deliberate steps around the two practice basket-hilt broadswords crossed on the floor. Witnessing this ignited the first spark of a passion that would burn brightly in her for 20 years and counting.

I love how Highland dance combines the athleticism and power of the Scottish people.. with the grace and fluidity that comes from the influence of our Irish and French cousins (Riverdance and Ballet).

After moving to Idaho in 2014, where she taught until she relocated to Florida in 2020, Kasey and her younger siblings consistently secured top-three placements in regional and national championships. At just 18 years old, she opened her own studio, which has been the focus of her life ever since.

Over the last decade I have had the joy and honor of teaching so many amazing young people, helping them gain confidence in themselves and connect with their Scottish roots.

Highland dances are hundreds of years old, passed down through generations of Highlanders. Historically, dancers performed around swords before battle as a test of agility, courage, and readiness. After battle, similar dances were used in victory celebrations. Seasonal festivals and older Celtic Gaelic traditions also incorporated Highland dance at their core.

During the British military occupation of the Highlands, after the Jacobite rising of 1745, the government imposed the Act of Proscription (1746), through which Gaelic culture was stigmatized and suppressed. Highland dress, including kilts and tartan, was banned. Clans were broken up, and pipers, dance masters, and other tradition bearers lost their roles as their patronage systems collapsed.

However, by the late 18th and early 19th centuries, a cultural revival began to take shape. Sir Walter Scott a Scottish novelist, poet and historian, helped popularize a romanticized vision of the Highlands. Highland regiments in the British Army wore tartan and preserved martial dance elements, and Victorian society embraced what they saw as a picturesque Scotland.

This renewed fascination led to the formal codification of Highland dance, preserving the traditions and carrying them forward even as they evolved into forms designed for performance and competition rather than their original clan-based rituals.

Through teaching the dances to the next generation, we help keep the Celtic culture alive for many years to come.

Checkout the Hawkins School of Highland Dance's website for more.

The ceiling of the grand rotunda in Ponce de León Hall is a dazzling display of artistic brilliance. Designed by Louis Comfort Tiffany, a celebrated artist and glassmaker, the ceiling features intricate patterns of gold leaf, stained glass, and hand-painted murals. Tiffany is known for his innovative use of light and color.

At the center of the ceiling is an elegant stained-glass dome, which allows natural light to filter through, illuminating the golden accents and vibrant hues of the surrounding designs. The dome is framed by intricate woodwork, enhancing its visual appeal and creating a sense of depth and majesty.

Symbolism in Every Detail

The ceiling’s ornate decoration is not just visually stunning but also rich in symbolism. Surrounding the dome are painted panels depicting figures that represent the arts, sciences, and humanities, reflecting the intellectual and cultural aspirations of the Gilded Age. Musical instruments, floral motifs, and mythological themes are woven into the design, emphasizing the building’s dual role as a place of luxury and enlightenment.

A Legacy of Innovation

The Ponce de León Hotel, now Flagler College, was one of the first buildings in the United States to be constructed with poured concrete and equipped with electricity. The combination of cutting-edge technology and Tiffany’s artistic vision made the ceiling a marvel of its time. The integration of natural light and gilded embellishments created a space that was both functional and awe-inspiring.

Learn more at the Flagler College website.