MOUNT Gambier highland dancing teacher Lisa Barker has ventured to Canada this week after being selected as an international judge.
Ms Barker will be judging the British Columbia Games in Coquitlam on June 16, including a championship and Scottish National Dance Premiership.
In addition, Ms Barker will join a 12-person world-wide judging panel at the ScotDance Canada Championship Series.
The six-day competition is the biggest in the world and is expected to attract over 900 of the best dancers from across Canada and the world.
Ms Barker said she was grateful for the amazing opportunity.
“I am the only Australian judge and one of only two from the Southern Hemisphere,” she said.
“I will be judging the Canadian Open Championship, the Scottish National Dance Premiership, as well as a pre-championship and pre-level and premier sections.
“It is really exciting to be a part of such an amazing judging panel and I feel very honoured to be chosen.”
Ms Barker will also be a guest speaker at the International Highland Dancing Conference 2018 in Johannesburg, South Africa, in October.
“The whole world of highland dancing professionals will be attending this conference and it is just a dream to be asked to speak at it,” Ms Barker said.
“It is still such a shock when I am asked to attend events like this.
“It really solidifies all of the hard work I put towards building highland dancing.”
Ms Barker was a highland dancing champion in Australia before establishing the Ardlair School of Dancing as principal teacher in 2003.
Currently the South Australian state committee technical secretary and dancer registrar, Ms Barker has also been a delegate to the Australian Board of Highland Dancing for over six years.
