Joan Bys

Joan Bys began her career as a Highland dancer in 1978. After mastering the difficult Scottish technique to championship form, she used her natural skills as a choreographer to mix Scottish, Irish and English dance into a unique Celtic blend. This has enabled Joan to choreograph and star in various stage shows, television and video productions. She has appeared before British Royalty and danced on seven cruise ship shows. Joan has also been the lead choreographer for national tours and theater productions. Some of the venues Ms. Bys has performed at include The Kennedy Center in Washington, DC, The Staples Center in Los Angeles, and the Orange County Performing Arts Center in Southern California.

Ms. Bys’ competitive record spans the globe. As a Scottish Highland dancer, she achieved Premier status by winning competitions up and down the Eastern seaboard. Once at the Premier, or championship level, Joan began to collect medals at competitive events throughout North America and Scotland. Ms. Bys is a United States National medalist, the winner of countless championship trophies, and her name is engraved on some of the most prestigious cups in Scotland.

Joan expanded her knowledge of the Celtic dances when she began studying Irish Step Dance in 2002. She went on to win gold medals in competition; taking her from the beginner’s group to the highest level of competition in only ten months. Joan also captured a Western Championship medal with the Cleary School’s Mixed Ceili team, giving her the opportunity to claim championship hardware in both Scottish Highland and Irish Step dance; a feat achieved by only a precious few.

Joan’s crowning achievement came when she did what she does best: in 2002, Joan won the World Dance Championship in the Open and Folkloric divisions with her own choreography. Truly, nothing is missing from her dance resume. In recognition of her performance at the World Championships of Performing Arts, she was named to the list of WorldStars by WATME.

East of the Hebrides

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