TAC Summer School Class Descriptions 2026
We want you to have the best possible experience at Summer School. To make that happen, we ask you to consider what it is you wish to learn or get out of your Summer School experience.
Each morning there are mandatory classes with our staff teachers and the afternoon offers optional dance practices and classes with a wide range of teachers from our TAC organization.
Upon registration, we need you to select your morning class option well. This will form the foundation of your excellent Summer School experience.
To that end, we have totally re-vamped our class offerings. They are now focused on skills /technique development. Please read the descriptions carefully and choose wisely.
The Summer School Director and staff reserve the right to move anyone who, in their opinion, would benefit from attending a different class.
Essential Skills
This class focuses on the foundational components of Scottish country dancing steps, fundamental formations and basic social elements found on the dance floor. Teamwork, phrasing and good eye contact are just some of the skills developed to build confidence along with technique. List 1 shows the figures considered essential and form the focus for this class.
Consolidating Skills
This class takes the essential skills to the next level by adding in the development of partnering skills and adding to the formations repertoire of each dancer. Dancers in this class must be able to sustain a good level of energy and commitment to improving their performance. To benefit from this class, participants must be able to dance all the figures in List 1 without a reminder or walkthrough and be able to dance the List 2 figures with a brief recap.
Challenging Skills
Physically and mentally challenging, this class is for dancers who can perform at the highest level of dance, with excellent footwork, handing and overall technique. Dancers are expected to know all the List 1 and 2 figures without any reminders and have a good dancing knowledge of the List 3 formations. Low impact is not an option for this class.
Social Skills
Dancers who are able to dance all the formations in Lists 1 and 2, but who wish to simply dance are encouraged to select this class. While there will be technical aspects of the dance and complex formations presented, this class presents a more relaxed dance setting. Low impact is an option here.
List 1
Lead/dance down the middle and up Allemande for 2 or 3 couples
Set and cast / cast and set Promenade for 2 or 3 couples
Figures of 8 - side and across Reels of 3 - on sides, across - 6 and 8 bars
Hands round and back Poussette - reel or jig time
Hands across and back Petronella turns
Grand chain for 3 couples Ladies (right hand) chain
Rights and lefts Back to back
Balance in line
List 2
All formations in List 1 plus:
Turn corners and partner Set to and turn corners
Set and rotate Set to corners and partner (hello-goodbye)
Mens’ (left hand) chain Double triangles
Poussette - in strathspey time Set and link for 2 couples
Knot for 2 or 3 couples Rondel
Reels of 4 on the side Reels of 4 on the diagonal
Crossover reels of 3
List 3
All formations in List 1 and List 2 plus:
Bourrel for 2 or 3 couples Reels of 3 - all remaining variations
Corners pass and turn Reels of 4 - all remaining variations
Espagnole Spoke
Targe Petronella in tandem
Set and link for 3 couples Tourbillon
Rights and lefts for 3 couples Grand chain for 4 couples
Chain progression Tournee
