Shendl Russell
Former Chairman, President and Independent Member SOBHD
Shendl was born and raised in Ayr, Scotland where she studied highland dance under world- renowned teachers May Falconer, Willie Cuthbertson and Elspeth Strathearn. She is a former Scottish Champion and 1st runner up in the World Championship. As a teacher herself, Shendl’s achievements have included training the 2004 Adult World Champion and the 2015 Junior World Champion
She represented South Africa, Teachers and Judges of California and Australia as a delegate to the SOBHD before being appointed Chairman in 1996. After serving as Chairman for 10 years, Shendl moved to the position of President of the SOBHD for the next 10 years.
She is a Member of the World Wide Judges’ Panel of the Scottish Official Board of Highland Dancing.
Shendl continues to teach, adjudicate and conduct workshops throughout Scotland, Canada, United States, Australia and South Africa. After spending 27 years as a Head Teacher, 3 years as a Quality Improvement Officer and 8 years as an associate government inspector of schools working with Education Scotland, Shendl took early retirement.
In 2015 Shendl was honoured to receive the beautiful Atholl Clasp in recognition of her contribution to Highland dancing.