
DANCE BIOG
A percussive dancer and multi-instrumentalist from the Isle of Skye, John has worked in traditional dance and music for over 25 years, having first studied stepdance from Harvey Beaton (Nova Scotia). John's style developed through studying with respected dancers in different traditions, including Ira Bernstein (USA), Sandy Silva (Montreal) and most recently moving studying rhythm tap improvisation with Avalon Rathgreb (London) and Luthier Dance School (Barcelona). He has collaborated and toured with artists from Hungary, Ireland, USA, Canada & Uzbekistan. In 2012 he formed the duo Klezmatize with clarinet player, Emma Stiman. Klezmatize has been very well received at events in London and toured throughout Scotland. As a musician/bass player, his dance workshops focus on musicality of footwork as opposed to teaching ‘choreography’.

Previous Dance Engagements
Pendulum Band, Queen's Hall, Edinburgh, Feb 2020
Dancebase Edinburgh, Kuo Shin Chuang residency, July 2019
Getxo Folk Festival, Basque country, 2016
The Clyde & the Commonwealth, Celtic Connections, 2014
UHI music course guest tutor, Benbecula, 2014
The Campbells of Greepe, Celtic Connections, 2014
Drine Rob Donn, Celtic Connections, 2014
The Campbells of Greepe, Fleadh Cheoil, Derry, 2013
The Sage, Gateshead, The New Rope String Band, Appalachian flatfooting, 2010
Step-dancer with Dannsa, Scotland tour collaboration with Cape Breton band Beolach, 2009
Creative Scotland tour collaboration with The Stairwell Sisters, May 2009
Scottish Stepdance Company, UK & European festivals/tours, 1999-2004)
Battlefield Band, Uzbek collaboration – UK tour
Selkie Project (Margaret Bennett & Billie Jackson), Colorado tour, 2006
Cotters Night Out (Margaret Bennett), Celtic Connections, 2006
Swannanoa Gathering (Margaret Bennett), North Carolina, 2007 & 2005
Creative Scotland tour collaboration with Muszikas/Marta Sebestyen, 2005
Pendulum Band, Queen's Hall, Edinburgh, Feb 2020
Dancebase Edinburgh, Kuo Shin Chuang residency, July 2019
Getxo Folk Festival, Basque country, 2016
The Clyde & the Commonwealth, Celtic Connections, 2014
UHI music course guest tutor, Benbecula, 2014
The Campbells of Greepe, Celtic Connections, 2014
Drine Rob Donn, Celtic Connections, 2014
The Campbells of Greepe, Fleadh Cheoil, Derry, 2013
The Sage, Gateshead, The New Rope String Band, Appalachian flatfooting, 2010
Step-dancer with Dannsa, Scotland tour collaboration with Cape Breton band Beolach, 2009
Creative Scotland tour collaboration with The Stairwell Sisters, May 2009
Scottish Stepdance Company, UK & European festivals/tours, 1999-2004)
Battlefield Band, Uzbek collaboration – UK tour
Selkie Project (Margaret Bennett & Billie Jackson), Colorado tour, 2006
Cotters Night Out (Margaret Bennett), Celtic Connections, 2006
Swannanoa Gathering (Margaret Bennett), North Carolina, 2007 & 2005
Creative Scotland tour collaboration with Muszikas/Marta Sebestyen, 2005