Emily Janoski, of Hopewell, is among the 14 American Scottish Highland dancers who will pack their bags, dance shoes and costumes to perform in the 66th Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo.
From Aug. 7-29, the U.S. dancers will join bagpipers, drummers, singers and other dancers from four continents in a daily presentation that entertains an annual onsite audience of 220,000 and an at-home audience of 100 million worldwide.
This marks the first year American Scottish Highland Dancers have been invited to audition to perform in the Tattoo. There were 188 applicants from Scotland, Canada, Australia and the United States, who submitted audition videos, competing for 66 spots.
“This is a tremendous accomplishment for these hardworking dancers as well as for recognition of Scottish Highland dancing in the United States,” said William Weaver, president of the Federation of United States Teachers and Adjudicators of Highland Dancing. “We will be proud to see these ladies represent the U.S. in this world-stage performance and wish them the best in what will be an unforgettable experience.”
Emily Janoski has been dancing since the age of 4 under the direction of Sandra Weyman-Pennypacker of Newtown, Pennsylvania. The art, precision and athleticism of highland dancing is perfected through daily practice, national and international competitions and performance opportunities.
This May, Emily won the Eastern Regional Championship for the third time, which qualified her to dance against the country’s best dancers at the U.S. Interregional Championships in Atlanta,
Emily consistently has finished among the top 10 dancers in the country, including runner-up finishes at past North American championships and top finishes at championships across the East Coast.
For more information about highland dance in the United States and specific activity and participation, contact Cailine Drummond, marketing and promotions manager of Discover Scottish Dance, USA.
