Page 59 - RSCDS Toronto Golden Jubilee Book

Connections
Dancing in the Park first drew us to learn Scottish Country Dancing. The East York group was very near to where we lived, so we joined there. Bob was a marvellous teacher. I only learned after his death last year,
in talking to people, that he was a member of the National Ballet until injury forced him to retire. But it showed in his superb dancing and technique. His teaching style was wonderful (I am a retired teacher myself). I can remember he taught the pas de basque by telling us to think of jumping over a log – thump, thump – and then jumping back. After we had mastered the foot movements, he suggested we do the same on the spot.
Bob always had a smile on his face,
and corrected us with such phrases as 'the other left'; but he was deadly serious about proper technique, eye contact, proper 'handing' - the social aspects of the dance.
Each evening we started with 30 min- utes of step practice to loosen up and iron out any wrinkles. Then we would get to dancing. I'll always remember our first Tartan Ball. In the days before we were so politically correct, my wife and I were warned (not by Bob) that Bratach Bana ( which in those days often ended the ball) was the group's favourite dance, and therefore, if we were not sure we could handle it, we should sit it out so as not to ruin it for the East York sets. The first year we did, but we worked very hard the next year, and to this day it is my favourite dance.
We joined Bob and many other mem- bers of the group at the dance school in Fyfe, Scotland, at St. Andrews in 1973. For them it was an annual trek.
It happened to be Miss Milligan's 50th anniversary. It was a wonderful experi- ence, and another example of Bob's enthusiasm and inclusiveness. It was mainly through his encouragement that we made the trip.
I was saddened to learn of Bob's death last year. On the 50th Anniversary of the Toronto Association, it is fitting that we remember Bob and all the wonder- ful teachers who over the years have added so much to our enjoyment of the dance.
. . . George Boyce
Bob Millar, Artiste
Bob Millar, with his artistic talents, embarked on an early successful career as a costumer, creating costumes and characters for the Santa Claus Parades. After beginning a civil service career, he pursued his passion for Scottish Country Dancing. In the mid-1960s he started the East York group and taught there until 1982. As a teacher, he made sure everyone knew exactly what was expected of them and his great sense of humour made dancing fun for all his students.
Pamela & Kristen
Mrs. Harris had her own children in dancing, too. Her girls, Elizabeth (Binky) and Colinne, would eventually assist teaching with their mom.
Grace Harris was a wonderful teacher and a real perfectionist. She expected you to work hard, but always insisted on celebrating the social aspect of Scottish Country Dancing. She has a real finesse in her teaching that’s visible when you watch her students dance.
We all love Grace Harris. She has become an important part of my life, and that of my sister Pamela. Our par- ents remain close friends. Today, in
my forties, I attend an adult class on Monday nights at St. Clement’s Church. Some of us dancers have a long his- tory with dance, some have a couple
of years experience, and we also have some brand new to dance. For me, it’s just social. How lovely that my parents made that one important decision, to start us in Scottish Dancing Classes with a woman named Mrs. Grace Harris.
. . . Kristen Simmons
Bob Millar
Remembered
Back in the early 1970s, my wife (at that time) and I had the great good fortune to join the East York Scottish Country Dance Group. I say good for- tune because it was led by Bob Millar.
I could not have asked for a better teacher. Any good technique I still pos- sess and all of the enjoyment I get from dancing is due to his tutelage.
Bob Millar
Bob encour- aged his dancers to attend branch classes and was a Branch class teacher himself. He sup- ported the Branch and par- ticipated
in many events. He was also a regular attendee at St. Andrews, Scotland. He became one of the pre-eminent teach- ers and for over thirty-five years was well known for his keen eye for detail, timing, and exactness as well as his own grace. He was known not just in Toronto, but across North America and internationally. During his passionate pursuit of excellence, he touched and influenced so many people and this passion will continue through the many he convinced to become teachers and who are now influencing others.
. . . Kathleen Kynoch
[By happenstance, Kathleen Kynoch met Elma Grech, a fellow Aberdonian, on the subway on her way home from work. Kathleen had attended many dances and concerts in Aberdeen, without knowing that Elma was the musician. Elma men- tioned she was playing piano for a great teacher, Bob Millar. After dinner that same day, Kathleen, and James in his "tackety boots," began a lifetime of Scottish Country Dancing.]
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