John Christie

John’s introduction to Scottish Country Dancing was in Princes Street Gardens in Edinburgh in 1946.

In London, Ontario in 1961, John was awarded his teaching certificate by Miss Milligan.

John was a founder of the London Ontario Branch as well as being an executive member and a dance teacher from 1961 to 1968. In 1968 John returned to Toronto and took over teaching the Scarborough group in 1970.  This group, established in 1960, grew to become one of the largest in Toronto Branch area, and for 21 years until 1994, John organized its demonstration team.

In 1991, John choreographed a 512-some reel danced in Toronto, which got into the Guinness Book of records and remained there until this past year.

John retired in 2004 after 42 years of teaching. To quote Sandy Bain who has taught in Ontario for many years.  “John, through his leadership, successfully imparted to and instilled in the dancers the standards and traditions of Scottish Country Dancing.  In addition, he created that sense of enjoyment and friendly social spirit that is so characteristic of our dancing.” This truly has been a life dedicated to Scottish Country Dancing