The Atlanta Branch RSCDS is pleased to once again host our annual Spring Workshop March 12-14, 2027! Located this year in easily accessible and vibrant Cartersville, GA, we are truly excited to offer a packed weekend of dancing with two evening dance programs, a full day of classes on Saturday, and an extra helping of southern charm!
We invite you to come celebrate our Golden Anniversary at a newly secured location, the Aubrey Street Gymnasium. With its fabulous wooden floor, we have plenty of room to spread out while dancing, and enjoy a truly southern Barbeque for lunch. The Branch has prepared a 50th anniversary book with dances written by or for Branch members which will be available for purchase. Our evening programs have been specifically designed to feature dances that span our 50 years and celebrate dancers past and present. Come be a part of our special event! Every dancer will receive a 50th Anniversary commemorative pin as part of their registration.
2027 Teachers and Musicians
Linda Henderson
Linda is originally from North Berwick, near Edinburgh, and now lives in the San Francisco Bay Area. Like most Scottish children, her introduction to Country Dancing was at the School and she was also a competitive Highland Dancer. She was lucky to grow up in a musical household and music plays a big part in her teaching.
In addition to teaching weekly classes in the San Francisco Branch, Linda has taught at workshops throughout the world, and has been on staff at Schools in St. Andrews, TAC (Canada), Australia and New Zealand. She also loves a good ceilidh and can often be found leading the dances at weddings and parties!
It gives Linda great pleasure as a teacher, to share the traditions, history and culture of Scotland through its music and dancing. This is her first time teaching in Atlanta and she is looking forward to meeting friends old and new.
Judi Nicolson
Scottish fiddler Judi Nicolson, originally from Scotland, performed throughout Scotland after winning three major Open Scottish Fiddle Championships. Judi played with some of Scotland’s finest dance bands, recording numerous radio sessions, television, and theatre appearances. Judi has been teaching Scottish fiddle since the 1980s, and in 2002, while teaching throughout Schools in Aberdeenshire, she qualified as a violin and viola teacher. In addition to her teaching career, Judi has published two of her own composition books and adjudicated in numerous fiddle competitions.
In 2008, Judi moved to Katy, Texas, with her husband and family. A consummate performer, her dynamic fiddling, engaging stage presence, and deep understanding of Scotland’s music have created a demand for her to play throughout the Americas, Canada, Australia, and the UK both as a solo fiddler and with other talented musicians in various groups. She is a past Musical Director for TAC Summer School and Boston Harbor Scottish Fiddle School.
Along with two of Canada’s finest musicians Kathy Fraser Collins on piano, and Fred Collins on drums, she recorded a solo album called ‘Fiddle My Style’; later, with the addition of Ian Muir, Scottish renowned accordionist and friend, they formed the band ‘Tartan Ties.’ They have performed throughout America, Canada, and Australia and released their first album in January 2020 entitled ‘Fire Away!’
Andy Imbrie
Andy has had the good fortune to accompany some of today’s leading fiddle talent, including Caroline McCaskey (with whom he collaborated on “Salute to San Diego” released in 2023), Judi Nicolson, Elke Baker, David Knight, Tim Macdonald, Deby Benton Grosjean, and many others. Andy leads the “Reel of Seven” Scottish dance band, which released “The Magic of Summer School” (a compilation of dances recorded during their fabulous week at the New Zealand Summer School) in 2016 to wide acclaim. Their earlier CDs include “Dance for Joy” (2009), “Dance for Joy Encore!” (2012), and “Gotta Dance!” (2015), (www.reelofseven.com).
Andy began studying classical piano as a child and started playing for dances with the encouragement of Kim McGarrity and Barbara McOwen. He plays regularly for Scottish Country Dancing, ceilidh dancing, and contra dances throughout the US and Canada, and has been on music staff for many workshops, including one in Australia, one in Italy, three in France, three in New Zealand, and a tour of Scotland, Orkney, and the Shetland Islands. He has also been on staff at Asilomar and Pinewoods on multiple occasions and was honored to have been invited to teach piano accompaniment at the Boston Harbor Fiddle School and the Valley of the Moon Scottish fiddling school for several years. Andy was delighted to serve as music director for Spring Fling (2026), TAC Summer School (2019), and the New Zealand Summer School (2015).
Andy is married to Sherryl Fawx (also a dancer and musician); they live in Santa Clara, California. In 2021, he retired from his position as Engineering Fellow at a major aerospace company where he was a specialist in simulation, guidance, and control of flight vehicles.
Sponsorships
The Atlanta Branch would like to extend an invitation to anyone who is interested in helping us continue providing excellence in music and instruction at our Spring Workshop to become a sponsor. We sincerely appreciate all the sponsorships previously received and with your help will continue to provide quality music and instruction. Due to the pandemic, we need your support now more than ever.
Sponsors will be recognized during the workshop:
~~ Bluebell level – $10-$49
~~ Heather level – $50-$99
~~ Thistle level – $100+
Workshop Schedule, Location, & Hotel Details
Workshop Schedule & Location
Friday, 3/12– TBD. Cartersville, GA 30120
3:00pm – 6:00pm | Registration at the hotel; late comers can register at the door of the dance
8:00pm – | Welcome Dance
After the dance | Informal “Afters” Party at hotel
Saturday, 3/13– ATBD
8:30am – 9:00am* | Coffee or tea, breakfast at hotel
9:15am – 12:00pm | Morning Session
12:00pm – 1:00pm | Barbeque Lunch
1:15pm – 3:00pm | Afternoon Session
3:15pm – 4:15pm | Ball Walk-Through
Dinner (on your own)
7:30pm | Grand March & Ball
After the dance | “Afters” Party at the Craig/Shire home
Sunday, 3/14
9:00am – 12:00pm | Brunch at the Tumlin Home
*The workshop package includes the Welcome Dance, Saturday classes and the Ball. Scott’s Bar-B-Q for lunch on Saturday is included. Dinner on Saturday is on your own.
Evening Dances
Friday Welcome Dance
This will be added soon – please check back.
Saturday Ball
This will be added soon – please check back.
Hotel
Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott
- 20 Canyon Parkway, Cartersville, Georgia
A special rate (click link above) has been negotiated for the workshop. Choose from 1 king bed or 2 queen beds for $139/night.
The room block will be held until February 10, 2027, at 11:59 pm.
The hotel is located just off I-75 at Exit 288 and just a few miles from workshop location. The hotel offers a free hot breakfast, free Wi-Fi, pool, and fitness center. There are also many restaurants between the hotel and downtown Cartersville.
Along with the usual amenities, the rooms have a mini refrigerator.
About Cartersville
Cartersville, a vacation destination with the charm of a small city, is located between Atlanta and Chattanooga off I-75 and is home to the Booth Western Art Museum, the Tellus Science Museum, and The Savoy Automobile Museum, all affiliated with the Smithsonian Institute. Downtown Cartersville is a great destination for the town’s best restaurants, and a variety of eclectic places to shop. Two performing arts theatres anchor the historic square where the city’s 20,000+ residents gather throughout the year for festivals, farmer’s markets and more. For more information, visit https://visitcartersvillega.org/.
Register Now!
ONLINE PAYMENT AVAILABLE HERE- SELECT PAYMENT AMOUNT FROM DROP DOWN MENU
Cancellation Policy: We hope you won’t have to cancel but if you must, you will receive a 75% refund if you let us know by February 10, 2027.