PICTURE: Shendl with 4 time World Champion Jacqueline Smith at the 2007 International Highland Dancing Championships of Australia.

Firstly congratulations on your election as President of the Scottish Official Board of Highland Dancing, you must be excited about your new role?

It was a great honour to be elected as Chairman 10 years ago and an even greater honour to be elected President at the AGM in 2006.

After 10 years as Chairman, how does your new election change your contribution to the administration of Highland Dancing?

I look at my new role as an opportunity to contribute to the administration of the SOBHD in many different ways. First and foremost, I look forward to working with our new Chairman Christine Lacey in developing innovative new ideas that improve communication to our membership around the world. I will focus my attention on promoting the strengths of the SOBHD as the dominant authority on Highland dancing both in Scotland and abroad.

Can you give our readers some insight into the future of the SOBHD under its new leadership?

Streamline the administration of the Board
Review the standards for judging and make recommended changes 
Consider the possible restructuring of the SOBHD 
Website redesign to make it user friendly for all Highland dancing enthusiasts 
Make more use of new technology 
Make use of the undoubted and considerable talents of Board members at home and abroad 
Endeavour to use the skills of the Ëœyounger" members

I look forward to being a part of the future of Highland Dancing, however away from the SOBHD, you have many qualifications as a teacher, examiner, judge and you have traveled the world as a professional Highland Dancer, tell me some of the highlights of recent years?

Being awarded the first non Canadian Honorary Membership of ScotDance Canada 
Judging the first SOBHD Championship is New Zealand 
Teaching workshops around the world. 
Meeting teachers, young and old, around the world. 
Presenting the World Championship Trophy at Cowal 
Having the privilege of judging the National Championships of Canada, USA, South Africa and New Zealand and Champion of Champions Australia

Yes, of course, you were in Australia in April last year, how does it differ here than to the rest of the world?

It's nice to travel around the world and regardless of the city and time zone I'm in, the technique remains the same. Australia is not a lot different than the rest of the world when it comes to Highland dancing. As the world becomes smaller, I am sure that more dancers will travel to Australia to compete in your prestigious events such as Champion of Champions and your new International Championship, thus giving some Australian judges who don't have the opportunity to travel, the experience of judging overseas dancers.

Speaking of which, we are privileged to have you coming here to judge the International Championships of Australia, do you have any expectations of the event?

I'm expecting the same high standard of dancing that we have come to expect from all international competitions! I am also looking forward to the choreography and Champions Challenge as well as the workshop and social events.

You'll be judging and teaching during your visit, which do you prefer?

I really enjoy both! It is great to judge top championship dancers and to see the up and coming dancers of the future. I have always loved teaching and making suggestions as to how I think a dancer could improve. I also enjoy examining and comparing a dancer against a standard and being able to comment as to the reasons for a grading.

I know you teach quite frequently during the summer months, and have had the pleasure of teaching some amazing dancers, can you tell me which dancers stand out and why?

I really wouldn't like to single out any particular dancer. It is an honour and a privilege to have worked with some very talented dancers. It never ceases to amaze me the fabulous work ethic of dancers and also the dedication of some dancers in over coming serious injury to return to the world stage.

What was it like taking part in winning the 2004 World Adult Championship with Tony Cargill?

This remains one of the most humbling experiences of my life. To play a part in a young dancer working tirelessly to achieve their goals was simply amazing. Tony's dedication to his art was second to none. During the final he really pulled out all the stops and danced his best ever.

You've done it all, a dancer with Miss Elspeth Strathearn, you became a Teacher, a Judge, an Examiner, you have judged major events all over the world and taught dancers including 4 time World Champion Tony Cargill, you've represented many countries as a delegate to the SOBHD before becoming Chairman and now President, what's next for Shendl Russell?

This is difficult for me to answer! I enjoyed my experiences as a dancer and am indebted to my parents for all their support and hard earned cash spent in pursuit of my chosen sport. I feel that in a way I have come full circle and have a wonderful opportunity to continue to put something back into Highland Dancing and something I am really passionate about. I will continue in this role as long as I feel I have something to offer.

Thanks for spending time with dutk.com, all the best for 2007

Thanks, Dougie