B I L L T R O O C K

Born and raised in Edmonton Alberta, Bill has been an active teacher, adjudicator, examiner and choreographer for over 40 years. His students have won many championship titles throughout North America and Scotland, including four Canadian Championship titles. In addition, his students over the years have successfully finished in the top six in the Juvenile, Junior and Adult World Championships.

Bill began Highland dancing at a very early age with his first teacher, Pat Horlor. Over the years, his teachers and mentors have included Angus MacKenzie, Heather McGregor and Evelyn Jones.

He is a Member of the World-Wide Judges’ Panel for the Royal Scottish Official Board of Highland Dancing (R.S.O.B.H.D.); a Fellow, Examiner, Technical Advisor and Life Member for the Scottish Dance Teachers’ Alliance (S.D.T.A.); Independent Member of ScotDance Canada and Honorary Life Member of the Alberta Highland Dancing Association.

Bill is the immediate Past President of ScotDance Canada but actively serves on the following committees; Judges Selection (Chair) and Emergency Task Force. He’s also the Immediate Past President of the Edmonton Highland Dancing Association. Co-Director of the 2011, 2015 and upcoming 2021 World Highland Dancing Conference and in 1986, 2000 & 2012 chaired the ScotDance Canada Championship Series held in Edmonton.

Bill has traveled extensively throughout Canada, United States, Australia, South Africa and Scotland adjudicating, examining and conducting workshops. In 2006, Bill traveled to New Zealand to conduct workshops and had the honour of judging their first RSOBHD Championship and then returned in 2007, to adjudicate the first New Zealand National Championship.

In 1995, along with his teaching colleague, Kelly Abrahart, opened the Strathcona School of Dancing where they continue to teach together. Bill works full-time as a Senior Sales Manager for Sabre Travel Network.