🔥 BATD Conference 2026 – Inspiring Lecture Programme!

We are thrilled to present an outstanding line-up of student lectures and teacher only lectures at this year’s BATD Conference — supporting high standards in teaching while encouraging students to strive for excellence.

This is an incredible opportunity for students and teachers to learn directly from leading industry professionals and gain insight into today’s evolving dance world.

Please find the lecturer bios below — we’re excited to share more about their experience and expertise.

🎬 Commercial Dance for Students with Mick Scott

Mick Scott is a Glasgow-born professional dancer and choreographer, recognised for his dynamic performance style and strong foundation in hip-hop culture. With over a decade of international experience, he has built a career that spans commercial performance, theatre, television, and live events, establishing himself as a versatile and in-demand artist within the industry.

He has performed alongside globally recognised artists including Ed Sheeran, David Guetta, Afrojack, and Kelly Rowland, appearing at major live events such as the BRIT Awards and MOBO Awards. His work across large-scale productions and international stages reflects both his performance quality and adaptability across styles and environments.

Mick’s screen credits include Dance 100 (Netflix), Dancing On Ice (ITV), and Blue Peter (BBC), while his theatre work includes Step Up: All In (Lionsgate, Dubai), where he performed as the male lead in the first stage adaptation of the franchise, alongside Bat Out of Hell (AO Arena Manchester) and Here Come The Boys (London Palladium & UK Tour).

As a choreographer and creative, Mick has developed work for artists including Mohombi and Nina Sky, and has contributed to major commercial projects, including performance work for Dolce & Gabbana in Dubai. He also worked as Assistant Choreographer on Greatest Day for P&O Cruise Line and has created work for Norwegian Cruise Line productions.

Alongside his performance career, Mick is an experienced educator and lecturer at Dance Inc Studio Centre and West College Scotland. He has taught internationally across the UK, United States, Australia, Russia, and the Middle East, delivering training in commercial dance, hip-hop foundations, and industry preparation.

Rooted in hip-hop culture, Mick continues to engage with the community through training, workshops, and events, maintaining a strong connection between commercial industry work and cultural foundations. His work reflects a balance between performance, choreography, and education, positioning him as a well-rounded artist with both industry credibility and cultural authenticity.

👞 Tap Lecturer for Students with Ollie Botterill from The Tap Chaps 

We are delighted to welcome Ollie Botterill from The Tap Chaps to deliver an exciting and engaging tap lecture especially for students.

Focusing on rhythm, musicality, and performance style, this session promises energy, creativity, and inspiration from one of the UK’s most dynamic tap performers.

Ollie is the owner and director of ‘The Tap Chaps’. The Tap Chaps are a tap dancing trio which travel around the world performing their act onboard several cruise lines, theatres and corporate events. Ollie has also appeared in many shows such as, ‘Tap Factory’ (UK, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Europe and China Tour), ‘Simply Gershwin’ (Guest Tap Duo, UK Tour), ‘Spirit of the Dance’ (Lead Tap dancer, Worldwide), ‘Tap Dance Fever’ (UK, South Africa and Canada), ‘Dora’ (West End) to name a few. 

He has danced in many different trade shows across the UK and has also appeared in several television adverts. When Ollie isn’t away performing he is on the faculty at Addict Dance Academy and Tap Attack. In 2018, Ollie became an IDO Adjudicator for the UK, representing team GB in the prestigious IDO World Tap Championships.

✨ Jazz Lecture for Students with Gillian Whyte

Gillian trained at Doreen Bird College in London, where she graduated with her Diploma in Musical Theatre alongside a range of professional teaching qualifications.

She has performed internationally, building an impressive portfolio of credits including Celebrity Cruises, CTC Cruise Line, Stageworks Worldwide Productions, Clothes Show Live, and ITV productions.

Gillian is the Founder and Director of Dans-scene Studios and currently works as a full-time lecturer at Dance Studio Scotland alongside running her own studio. She is fully registered with the General Teaching Council for Scotland and leads the examination pathway for further education students through the Imperial Society of Teachers of Dance (ISTD). Her previous teaching roles include positions at the Dance School of Scotland and on the Scottish Ballet Associate Programme, and she has also delivered workshops for various dance associations at conference events, as well as collaborating closely with the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) on internal and external verification. She also recently contributed to the development of the new HNC dance artist qualification by writing the Tap dance unit. 

With extensive industry experience and a strong educational foundation, Gillian offers a well-rounded, supportive approach, empowering young dancers to reach their full potential through high-quality training.

🎭 Musical Theatre Lecture with Nadine McKenzie-Judge MBE

Nadine is proud to say she was taught by her mother Irene McKechnie – a former 3 times world

highland dancing champion and professional dancer.

Nadine has won many championship titles in tap, ballet, modern and highland dancing, including the

Scottish, British and World highland dancing championship titles, and the Oscar award for champion

of champions. Nadine now teaches at the MCKECHNIE SCHOOL OF DANCE AND PERFORMING ARTS

in Grangemouth. She is the only teacher in the UK to have Pupils win the Scottish, British and World

Theatre dance championships in All subjects – Tap – Ballet – Modern – song and dance.

At 16, she trained professionally in dance & musical theatre for 3 years before working extensively

on-board cruise ships, performing in pantomimes throughout the UK as a Dancer, dance captain,

singer and principle. Nadine did many review shows throughout the world,

doing excerpts from 42nd St, Cats, Joseph, Phantom, Les Miserable and Rocky Horror. She also

released 3 CD solo singles with Academy Street records, under the name of “Queen Nadine” touring

night clubs and dance venues doing personal appearances. Television credits include: Taggart, Rab C

Nesbit, Finnie, Take the High Road, Tom Conner Road show, Big Breakfast, River city.

She is proud to be a fellow member of the British Association of teachers of Dancing, and a fellow &

Examiner of the Scottish Dance Teachers Alliance.

Over the years Nadine has enjoyed travelling to EDMONTON CANADA, SEATTLE, LA, ATLANTIC CITY,

TORONTO & Nova Scotia lecturing and conducting scholarship classes for the BATD.

Most recently, Nadine was very honoured to win the very prestigious “Carl Alan” teachers award in

2019, the oscars of the Theatre Dance World.

As a choreographer, credits include: “RED HOT CHILLI PIPERS” DVD BLAST! KEITH JACK UK TOUR 09,

HIGHLAND HEARTBEAT – KENNEDY PRODUCTIONS (THEATRE ROYAL GLASGOW) ROTARY CLUB

(GLASGOW) RED HOT CHILLI PIPERS UK TOUR & EUROPEAN TOUR, FORTH FM LIVE! (PLAYHOUSE

EDINBURGH) BIG BROTHER FINALE, CHILDREN IN NEED, GOSPEL TRUTH CHOIR, ASSEMBLE AND

LEAP, CURRY AWARDS (GLASGOW) A NIGHT TO REMEMBER (TOURING SHOW) BIG BASH! JOHNNY

LEE MEMPHIS SHOW, GLASGOW FASHION WEEK, ASHLEY RUSSELL, VOICES WITH SOUL, KATRINA &

THE WAVES, PAVILION PANTOMIME 2016/2017/2018/2019/2020 ONLINE, 2021) DANCE MUMS

(PAVILION GLASGOW) THE DOLLS A Rerr Terr GLASGOW KINGS & TOURING SHOW, THE DOLLS

“DRAGGED UP” UK TOUR.

Exciting Highland Lectures at the BATD Conference

We are delighted to announce two inspiring Highland lectures at this year’s BATD Conference, designed exclusively for teachers.

✨Celia Orr MBE – Preparing Students for Professional Exams

Celia will share invaluable guidance on effectively preparing candidates for Professional examinations, offering practical insights, structured approaches, and expert advice to support both teachers and students in achieving success.

Celia Orr MBE ARAD is a full-time professional dance teacher and principal of a fully registered dance school in Lanark, where she teaches Ballet, Highland, Tap and Jazz.

An Independent member of the Royal Scottish Official Board of Highland Dancing (RSOBHD), she serves on the Technical, Judges and Registration Committees, contributing to the development and governance of Highland dancing.

Celia is a life member of the British Association of Teachers of Dancing (BATD), the Royal Academy of Dance (RAD) and UKAdance. As a former World Champion, she is committed to promoting strong technique and inspiring the next generation of dancers to achieve excellence.

✨Alison Munro – Highland Technique 

Alison will deliver a focused and informative session exploring key elements of Highland technique, providing teachers with valuable tools to refine training methods and enhance technical development within their classes.

Alison lives in Buckie on the North East Coast of Scotland and has been teaching for over 40 years. She is a Life Member and Examiner with UKA Dance Ltd, a member of BATD and SDTA, and an RSOBHD adjudicator.

With around 60 pupils attending classes regularly, Alison has built a strong team spirit within the school, supporting each dancer to reach their full potential. Her dancers have achieved numerous Pre-Championship, Championship, and Premiership titles across Scotland, England, Canada, and the USA.

She has had the privilege of conducting workshops through the RSOBHD for Assemble and Leap and the International Tattoo Dance Company, and has adjudicated both nationally and internationally, including in England, Ireland, Canada, and the USA.

Alison is very much looking forward to attending the BATD Conference, reconnecting with friends and colleagues, and sharing knowledge and passion for Highland Dancing.

Please note: These Highland lectures are for teachers only.

Sensational Ballroom Lectures at the BATD Conference

🎶Mark and Olga Elsbury 

Mark and Olga Elsbury will present an exciting series of lectures on Ballroom and American Smooth, sharing their wealth of experience, expert technique, and championship insight. These inspiring sessions will offer dancers and teachers the opportunity to learn from world-class champions, gaining valuable knowledge, style, and performance tips from two of the most accomplished professionals in the industry. 💃🕺✨

World Champions in Professional Ballroom Showdance, British Professional Ballroom Showdance Champions, 20-time UK Closed and British National Champions, Mark is currently the only person in British dancing to have won the British National Ballroom Championship in every category – Juvenile, Junior, Youth, Amateur, Professional and Professional Showdance – with a total of 32 British National and UK Championship titles.

World finalists in Youth, Amateur and Professional Showdance.

International Rising Star Professional Champions
World Gold Cup winners.

Recipients of the “Le Classique Dance Award”

DVIDA American Smooth Professional Qualifications.

Safeguarding Lecture – CPD Opportunity for Teachers & Examiners

We are pleased to offer a dedicated Safeguarding Lecture as part of the BATD Conference programme.

This essential session is designed for Teachers and Examiners and will count towards your Continuing Professional Development (CPD).

Session Details:

Title: Safeguarding in Practice

Presenter: Sarah Hodkin

Date: Sunday 21st June 2026

Time: 9:00 AM

Location: Castle Suite

This lecture will provide valuable guidance on current safeguarding practices, helping attendees maintain the highest standards of care and responsibility within their professional roles.

We strongly encourage all Teachers and Examiners to attend this important session.

See below for more information on your lecturer. 

We look forward to welcoming you to these informative and engaging sessions.

Please contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to book your place, or call 0141 427 3699 - extension 222