The Bob Blackie Scholarship

Background:

BobBlack

Bob Blackie (1935-1998) influenced Scottish Country Dancing in North America in many ways. He was committed to excellence in teaching and, through that, the promotion of excellence in dancing at whatever level. He was committed to and deeply loved and supported the Teachers' Association (Canada). During his term as Chairman, he took a leadership role in starting the Teachers' Association (Canada) Summer School - a school that every year encourages dancers of all levels of expertise to improve their dancing skills in an environment of excellent teaching, fine music, and wonderful camaraderie.

 

Scope and Purpose:

In his memory, longtime friend Ed Jones established the Bob Blackie Memorial Endowment to provide, as far as possible, a full scholarship annually to a Scottish Country Dancer to enable the dancer to attend a whole week of the Teachers' Association (Canada) Summer School. The scholarship must be used for tuition, meals, and lodging for any year's Summer School. The interest produced by the Bob Blackie Memorial Endowment becomes sufficient; the award may also be applied toward travel costs for the recipient.

 

 

2024 Bob Blackie Scholar

Bronwen Taylor

James Harley, Edmonton, AB, Canada

James Harley (they/them) fell in love with Scottish country dancing in 2018. Nothing makes them feel quite as alive as when they’re flying through a jig. Scottish country dance enables James to build their community, feel connected to their Scottish heritage, and learn some coordination. They are looking forward to dancing for many years to come. James is completing their Master of Arts in English at the University of Alberta and aspires to work in academia eventually. When James is not dancing or engaged in schoolwork, you can find them tending to their garden, absorbed in a jigsaw puzzle, or lost in a good book.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Recent Bob Blackie Scholars

2023 Adrian Velonis, Philadelphia, PA, USA
2019  Bronwen Taylor, Edmonton, AB, Canadaa
2018 Jean Stewart Hundley, San Diego, USA
2017  Heather Fawkes, North Vancouver, BC, Canada
2016  Louise Kropinski, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
2016  Annie Sapucaia, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
2015  Janet Peterson, Upper Marlboro, Maryland, USA
2013  Maggie Faber, Colorado, USA
2012  Chandi McCracken, Twin Cities, Minnesota, USA
2012  Arthur Baum

Criteria for Selection:

Based on the following criteria, an award will be made each year provided the applicant meets all the requirements listed:

  • the dancer must have participated in Scottish Country Dancing for at least two years;
  • the dancer must have demonstrated a genuine love of and interest in Scottish Country Dancing;
  • the dancer must have the desire to improve their dancing skills;
  • the dancer must commit to maintaining the best in Scottish Country Dancing;
  • preference will be given to a dancer with a demonstrated financial need.
  • This scholarship is not available to those who have attained any level of their SCD teaching certification.

Application Process

A dancer may apply for the Bob Blackie Memorial Scholarship by submitting the following:
-  a letter of application to the Teachers' Association (Canada) that addresses all of the above five criteria. in detail
-  a letter of reference from at least one Scottish Country Dance teacher that addresses each of the five criteria. in detail

Application Deadline:

Please submit the application materials for the Bob Blackie Scholarship by email to Ward Fleri, the Director of TAC Summer Events, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., by March 31, 2024. Please include the applicant's surname and the phrase 2023 Bob Blackie Application in the email subject line and the file names of attachments.

Selection Process:

The selection of the scholarship recipient shall be made by a committee consisting of the Teachers' Association (Canada) Chairman, vice-chairman, past Chairman, treasurer, and Summer Events director, who shall review all applications received by the deadline. The scholarship shall be presented to the recipient as a pre-paid scholarship (i.e., waiver of tuition, meals, lodging, etc.). At this time, the recipient shall receive background information on establishing the scholarships and suitable biographical material on Bob Blackie.
After attending Summer School, the recipient shall send a report on their experience to the Teachers' Association (Canada) for publication in TACTalk.