Jennifer Thompson

Owner & PRinciple Teacher

Jennifer has been fortunate enough to follow her passion as dance teacher for the past 33 years and has operated the Celtica Highland Dance School for over 20 years. During her time as a teacher, she has trained students who have won many National, North American, and International championships. As a competitor she enjoyed many successes under the training of Adeline Duncan, these included both National and North American championships. Jennifer also trained for many years in Tap, Jazz, and extensively in Ballet as a student of the National Ballet School of Canada. Jennifer is a member of the BATD and the SOBHD Adjudicators panel.

Caitlin Dumond

Under the training of Jennifer at Celtica, Caitlin had an outstanding dance career. Caitlin began dancing at the age of 4 and travelled extensively throughout North America and Scotland, winning numerous national and international championships. Some of her most prestigious accomplishments include winning the Canadian Championship, North American Championship, Commonwealth Championship, and Scottish Championship. Retired from competition, she now shares her love of dance with the students she teaches and adjudicates. Caitlin is a current Scottish Official Board of Highland Dance Adjudicator and is a member of the BATD.

Darien MacKay

When Darien’s parents enrolled her in her first Celtica dance class at age of 4, they didn’t anticipate the profound impact it would have on Darien’s life. Throughout her years as a dancer, Darien had the opportunity to compete throughout North America and Scotland. While she appreciates the medals and trophies acquired along the way, it’s the lasting friendships and life lessons that she cherishes most. Darien credits Jennifer’s teaching style to understanding the values of focus, humility, and determination — values she hopes to instill in the dancers and students with whom she works. Darien is a member of the BATD and currently attending the Teacher Education Program at Simon Fraser University with the intention of becoming a kindergarten teacher.