Jessiman Dance School
About Us
Betty Jessiman ​
The Jessiman Dance school was founded in 1951 by Betty Jessiman. She was a fellow member and examiner with the U.K.A. an S.O.B.H.D judge and a member of the B.B.O (British Ballet Organisation). She taught classes in Highland, Ballet and Tap throughout the North East.

As a highland dancer she was very successful. Her winnings include three times Open British Champion, World Champion and the first winner of the champion of champions (now known as the oscars).

Patrciai-Ann Raeburn
In 1981 Patricia-Ann, her daughter, started assisting in the dance classes and gradually began teaching more. She is now the principal of the school and is a fellow member and examiner of the U.K.A in all Scottish and theatre branches. Over the years Patricia-Ann has taught in Aberdeen, Aberchirder, Keith, Banff, Insch and Huntly. She has taken teachers lectures and workshops for the U.K.A and examined all over the UK. She provided dancers for the Pantomimes in Aberdeen's HMT for two years and for several 'Fiddlers Spectaculars'. Dancers also took part in the 'Wind and the Willows' UK tour production. Over the years several pupils have travelled abroad in groups to perform with local pipebands and strathspey and reel society's.
The school have classes in Huntly everyday throughout the school week at their dance studio on McVeagh Street, although on a Wednesday classes are held in Keith at the St Thomas' Hall.

Classes are for children from the age of three and above. You can find out more information about what the school offers in the 'classes' section of the website.

Laura Raeburn
Laura is Patricia-Ann's daughter. She has also decided to pursue a career in dance. She moved to London at 16 years old to train in musical theatre and graduated from London Studio Centre last year (July 2011) with a BA Hons degree in Theatre Dance. She has just finished her first professional contract where she was dance captain on the Costa Voyager cruise ship for 7 months. When she is back up in Scotland she often takes classes at the school. This gives the children a chance to work with someone different and learn some new routines!
