Katharine Robinson

I am the proud owner and director of  the Katharine Robinson School of Highland Dancing.  I always knew I wanted to teach from the time I was 5 years old and started my school in the conservatory of my parents' home when I was just 16 years old! I often taught for my teacher from around age 11 and wanted dancers to be taught properly, with direction and passion. I want dancers to know that dancing enriches at any age, and will remain with them for their entire life.

I have had the privilege to dance twice for Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. And in 2018, was honoured for 50 years of teaching by Holyrood palace in addition to receiving certificates by BATD, SDTA, as well as OHDA.

​I have been directing the school for over 52 years, am a judge with the RSOBHD, a life Member of the BATD and SDTA. I am very fortunate to have excellent teachers and a terrific school manager, Tara Hierlihy. We are a non-profit organization with a board of directors.

 -  Is Lonaan Rincès Beatha / To Dance is to Live
Our school Piper, Beth Bisaillion (right), has always been there for me and for our school. We are very fortunate to have her as our support when we perform at various community events, and for international shows.

Laura Sywyk

Ms. Laura has been teaching at KRSHD since attending the University of Ottawa, then took a break to have 4 children and began teaching again in 2010. She earned her first teaching credential Associate SDTA in the Highland and National Branch, and recently achieved her Members accreditation from BATD. She has received numerous awards at competitions in Ontario. She participates at Sons of Scotland Pipe Band events in and around the National Capital Region. In addition to developing award-winning and highly entertaining choreographies for the school, Ms. Laura also runs the Eastwind Martial Arts Studio with her husband Mike Sywyk. Ms. Laura brings the grace and discipline of martial arts to the world of Highland dance through her teaching, and students benefit from the positive focus she exudes. KRSHD is also an extension of her family as both daughters (pictured above) have also been dancing and competing for the school.

Tara Hierlihy

Ms. Tara started her Highland career as an adult, but has many years of training, competing, and teaching in the Irish dance world. She has had the privilege of dancing for her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II at Balmoral Castle during KRSHD’s 2013 trip to Scotland with the Sons of Scotland Pipe band. During that trip, she also participated in the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. Ms. Tara is proud to be the teacher for our Adult dancers. Creating choreographies to show off each dancer’s strength is one of her favourite things to do. She is recently achieved her Members accreditation from the BATD.

Isabela Bouffard Lima

​Miss Isabela has been dancing with KRSHD from the age of 3 and began assisting in classes in 2014. She earned her Highland Associates with the BATD in 2018 and has since been teaching for the school. She participated in the Sons of Scotland Pipe Band's Scotland trip, where she had the privilege of dancing for Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and performing throughout Scotland, including Holyrood Palace and the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. Miss Isabela is a Premier-level competitive dancer, but likes to focus on community and recreational dancing. Isabela is our concert co-ordinator as well! She adores instructing her junior and advanced classes and delights in creating choreographies with her students. She achieved a Health Science degree at the University of Ottawa and enjoys making art and spending time outdoors in her free time.

​Erin McConnell

Ms. Erin loves to teach, and over the last decade has delighted in teaching beginners ages 2 and up. Participating in highland dance is a family tradition that she shares with her aunt and her niece.  As someone who started dance as an adult, she loves the community and experiences it brings. A highlight of her dance career was dancing for Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and many of Her family members at Balmoral Castle in Scotland. The performance, accompanied by the Sons of Scotland Pipe Band in 2013 was a once in a lifetime experience. Ms. Erin’s primary goal is to ensure that her students love dance, and that they feel supported in their goals.