Spokane School of Highland Dance
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Spokane's School of Highland Dance prides itself in having Scotland certified instructors for all classes through the British Association Teachers of Dancing (BATD). We currently have two instructors teaching traditional highland Scottish dancing and several students in training to become certified who assist with instruction.

 

If you would like to rent the studio, we have space and time open. Please call Marie 509-879-3352 for more information.

 

 

Our Scottish Dance Instructors

Marie Grimes-Darling

Marie Grimes-Darling has had 36+ years of dance experience, with 21+ years of teaching experience.  

As a highland dancer, she successfully competed throughout the U.S., Canada and Scotland. In 1997, she earned her teaching certificate from Scotland and began her teaching career with the Highland Dancers at Shadle Park High School. In 2002, Marie opened up her own studio.  

She is a member of ScotDance USA, FUSTA (Federation of the United States Teachers and Adjudicators), BATD (British Association Teachers of Dancing), and the SOBHD (Scottish Official Board of Highland Dancing). She has served as the Delegate for the NW Region of FUSTA multiple times. Marie now holds her Fellow Teaching Certificate for Highland Dance and Member Teaching Certificate for Scottish National Dance through the BATD. Marie has trained several dancers who have qualified to compete in the U.S. Championship throughout the years. Most recently, one of her dancers was 6th overall in the U.S. Championship in 2017 and 2018.

In the fall of 2007, she passed her judges exam through the Scottish Official Board of Highland Dancing, which enables her to judge all over the world. Currently she runs and organizes indoor competitions held in the fall and spring in Spokane, and runs the dancing competition for the Spokane Highland Games. She was also the co-chair for the United States Championship for Highland Dancing which was held in Spokane in July of 2011 and Salt Lake City, Utah in July of 2017. Marie is also the President for the St. Andrew's Society of the Inland NW.

 

Marie's goal is that each child reach their potential in highland dancing and have fun while learning this traditional form of dancing. At Spokane's School of Highland Dance, Marie teaches beginner dancers ages 4+, as well as the advanced students of all ages.

Outside of the dancing world, Marie is happily married with 5 children and is a Middle School teacher and Business Administrator for a private school.

Brielle Balazs

Brielle has been dancing for 20+ years and took up Scottish Highland Dance at the age of 13. Dancing on the Shadle Highland Team eventually becoming co-captain, captain and has been the instructor for the team since the since the fall of 2006.

 

Brielle competed in the Seattle area and other ares in Washington, Oregon, Canada and well as Scotland in 2004 where she received 1st and 2nd places. She also placed in the Northwest Regional Championship as a Premier level highland dancer.

 

In 2009, she received her Member's teaching certificate through the British Association Teachers of Dancing. Over the past 9+ years, she has been teaching along side Marie Grimes-Darling.

 

Brielle is looking forward to the many new students at Spokane's School of Dance. Currently at the studio, she teaches the Shadle Highland Dance Team, our youngest dancers, and teaches beginner-advanced classes.
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