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Nancy LeNoble Strolle is the founder and director of the group.  Associate teachers are M. Sally Johnston and Jennifer Hatton.

Nancy LeNoble Strolle, founder and director of the group, began highland dancing with Margaret Baikie MacDonald Johnson at the age of 5.  Nancy is a graduate of Alma College in Alma, Michigan (Scotland, USA) where she was a member of the Kiltie Lassies. She spent her junior year abroad at the University of Aberdeen where she was on the   demo team for the Scottish Country Dancers.  Upon return to the Chicago area, Nancy was approached by a family  friend who was looking for a highland dance teacher in the western suburbs for her daughter.   Little did anyone suspect that more than 27 years and over 300 dancers later, the Thistle & Heather Highland Dancers would still be going strong.

Nancy is a Member of the British Association of Teachers of Dance (BATD) in both the Highland and the National branches.  In addition,she has served in many offices for the Federation of United StatesTeachers and Adjudicators (FUSTA) including Midwest delegate,Vice-President and President.  FUSTA is the lead highland dance organization      in  the United States.

From dancing at her first Scottish Home Picnic in 1963, Nancy went onto become Heather Queen, the first woman to serve as Registrar on the Board of Governors, and the first woman President of the Illinois SaintAndrew Society.  The ISAS is the oldest philanthropic organization chartered in the State of Illinois and owns and operates the Scottish     Home in North Riverside, IL.

Nancy has been recognized by the Caledonian Foundation as Scotswoman of the Year, and the ISAS as Clanswoman of the Year. 

Nancy resides in Downers Grove with her husband and two children.

 

 

Sally Johnston has been dancing since she was 10 years old.  A graduate of Alma College, Sally was also a Kiltie Lassie and was Alma Queen of Scots.  Sally also served the Illinois Saint Andrew Society as Heather Queen and currently is very involved with the ISAS as Chairman of the "All About Dance" tent for the Oak Brook Highland Games.   Sally holds her Member certification in the Highland branch of the BATD and her Associate certification in the National branch. 

Sally lives in Darien with her husband and two children.

 

 

Jennifer Hatton has been dancing since she was 11 years old.  She is currently serving as a Governor of the Illinois Saint Andrew Society and is Chairman of the Childrens Area for the Oak Brook Highland Games.  Jen holds her Associate certificate from the BATD in both the Highland and National branches. 

Jen lives in Lemont with her husband and two children.


 

 

 
Thistle and Heather Highland Dancers

 

Welcome...


The Thistle & Heather Highland Dancers of Chicagoland invite you to become part of this exciting ethnic dance troupe.  Dancers range in age from 4 - adult.


Classes meet weekly at:

Scottish Home in North Riverside - Wednesdays

First United Methodist Church of Glen Ellyn - Mondays

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Whether you have the desire to be a competitive highland dancer, or just dance for fun, the Thistle & Heather Highland Dancers can meet your needs.

A wide variety of engagements are scheduled each year, may of which all dancers can paticipate in, regardless of their competition level.  In addition, many of our dancers compete successfully at the local, national, and international level.

Thistle & Heather Highland Dancers perform regularly at Celtic Fest in Grant Park, Hearthland Tattoo, Daley Plaza for St. Andrew's Day and Tartan Day, the Thanksgiving Day Parade, and Christmas Around the World at the Museum of Science and Industry.

For more information, please contact:

Nancy Strolle, Director

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Walkers Shortbread

WalkersSFThe Thistle & Heather Highland Dancers are proud to feature Walkers Shortbread at the Spring Fling Competition and Chicago Open Championship! 

 Thanks Walkers for your support!

 
Booking Information

Consider booking the Thistle & Heather Highland Dancers for your next event!   The dancers have performed at a variety of venues including: service club meetings, nursing and retirement homes, libraries and schools, fund raising events, girl scout meetings, multi-cultural programs, parades, weddings, as well as church and corporate functions. 

 
History of the Dances
Many of the Highland Dances are deeply rooted in Scottish history and can trace their beginnings to times of war where they were performed by the Scottish soldiers.
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Benefits of Highland Dancing
Highland Dancing provides a great source of aerobic exercise, poise, self-confidence, ethnic tradition, stage presence, uniqueness, self-discipline, friendships and a variety of other positive benefits.  It is the desire of the Thistle & Heather Highland Dancers to make Scottish dancing accessible to as many students as possible.  Dancers need not be of Scottish heritage to participate.
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