Desmond you've just been out in Australia for Down Under the Kilt;Reel Men Do Dance - how was the experience?

Down under the Kilt; Reel Men Do Dance has to be one of, if not the biggest highlight of my dance career. Having been asked to do be a part of such an incredible feat has just energised my life.

And you also competed in the International Highland Dancing Championships, how was that?

Competing at the Australian Internationals was tough for me a) I hadn't competed in 2 years at that point b) We had just finished the show. And c) I also caught a cold the day after the show. But I mean we have to deal with these kinds of challenges in everyday life so I couldn't let this one stop me. I remember that morning telling Tony Cargill that I didn't think I would be dancing but when he said "ok guys we're going now" I responded "let me grab my dance bag just in case." And I ended up dancing anyway. I couldn't help it; it’s just what I do.

What other countries have you danced in? How does the dance scene compare to Oz?

I've danced of course here in Canada, Scotland and most recently in Australia. The dance scene in Canada and Australia I found to be very similar in nature; both countries put out respectable dancers and take competing seriously however the "scene" remains unseen by the general public of our countries. If you go to Scotland I found that competitions and highland games and what ever else are made very much a public affair. One in which any one from any where can enjoy watching or in some cases participate in.

Throughout your dance career you have taken many dance forms and been successful with each of them, I believe your were recently touring with a professional company - tell me about that?

Yes I was dancing with a group based in California they meet in the summers and toured around the states putting on shows in one or two cities each state. It was really a great time for me I got to travel, meet tonnes of new and interesting people and of course dance all the time. I learned I have a huge love of beaches and the sun while I was there. The whole time I was with them I had a smile on my face.

And since your return to Canada, you are living in your home town Regina, in Saskatchewan, what's it like being home?

Being home no matter what time of the year is always nice for me I'm relaxed and calm and everything just works here. I've spent a lot of my time while at home trying to figure out where my next move in life is going to be and where its going to take me. A difficult task but one we all have to go through.

Speaking of being home, I want to go back a few years now; how did you come to start Highland?

I was 8 years old and my older brother was a bagpiper. Once a year for 3 days my home town of Regina has a large multi cultural event called Mosaic, where all the different groups of culture in the city are given a pavilion to show case their the music, food, dance, cloths, art and anything in between from their part of the world. Naturally my brother could be found at the Scottish pavilion piping a tune. I believe it was my mother working a volunteer shift one night and she had me with her. I suddenly heard a pipe band start up from behind me and I saw a bunch of dancers on a stage and from the moment I saw the dancers feet leave the ground I couldn't stop watching them. It was that day I told my mother I wanted to do that and in a couple of months I found my self in my very first of countless dance classes.

What has been your most memorable experience?

My most memorable dance experience now is DUTK but before that it would have to be dancing the Sean Triubhas at the World Championship Final in Cowal 2005. I remember the moment I walked on stage; I felt my eyes suddenly open up to what was on the inside of me and I took it all out to show the world. It felt kinda like an out of body moment.

If you could go back and change any part of your dance career, what would it be?

I can honestly say there is no part of my dance career I would ever think of changing. I am who I am today because of what I've done not just in dance but in my life. And I am proud to be me and I wouldn't want to have it any other way.

Now, whilst you were in Oz, you got to spend quite a bit of time with the Highland Warriors, an all male group of Highland Dancers, what advice can you give to other male dancers around the world?

My Advice to any male dancer in the world young or old would have to be, don't ever turn your back on your self. If you want to something don't let any one or anything stop you. You've only got one life to do it in so make it count.

And for the final question - the one everyone wants to know the answer to: What's next for Desmond?

What’s next for me... Well if you haven't guessed it, it would have to be more dance. After not being around highland for two years I've decided and I am making efforts towards a solid competitive year of highland dance and hopefully even longer. I feel like after two years I've grown in many ways and I am ready to put my body, mind and soul into what I am doing and what I want. And at this point the only thing that can stop me from getting what I want, is myself, And that isn't going to happen.

Desmond was one of 7 male dancers who formed the cast of Down Under the Kilt; Reel Men Do Dance. Whilst in Australia he placed 1st runner-up in the 18-20 years category of the International Highland Dancing Championships. Desmond can be seen in Douglas McFarland's Down Under the Kilt; Reel Men Do Dance - the DVD, being released Worldwide soon. For more details contact our enquiries