Today we’d like to introduce you to Kendra Monroe.
Hi Kendra, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
Sure, I’d love to walk you through my Highland dance journey.
I started Scottish Highland dancing as a young child and quickly fell in love with the blend of tradition, athleticism, and that most of the competitions took place at Highland Games across the country. This created wonderful traditions and a close knit community. Over the years, I trained, competed, and performed, but it was really the deeper sense of culture and community that kept me always coming back to Highland dance.
A pivotal chapter in my story was when I moved to New York City in my 20s. At the time, Highland dance was virtually invisible there, so I co-founded Shot of Scotch which is a performance group created to bring Highland dance to new audiences in contemporary and unconventional spaces. What began as a way to keep dancing into adulthood, quickly grew into something much bigger; we were performing at major venues, collaborating with other artists, and introducing Scottish Highland dance to people who had never seen it before. That experience showed me how powerful and relevant Highland dance could be outside the competitive world… and on a personal level… not something that ends after High School or college.
The momentum from Shot of Scotch inspired me to open the Monroe School of Highland Dance in NYC. I loved teaching students (of all ages) from all kinds of backgrounds and watching them connect with this rich tradition. It was there I really developed my voice as a teacher and choreographer and it began shaping a community that honored both heritage and innovation.
Now, I’ve taken that experience in New York and poured it into building a school down here in Hillsborough that’s not only focused on strong technique and performance, but also on belonging and growth. I’m currently working toward becoming a judge, developing original choreography, and finding new ways to expand Highland’s reach from cross-training opportunities to cultural programming.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Definitely not always smooth, but I think the challenges have shaped the journey in really meaningful ways.
One of the earliest hurdles came when I co-founded Shot of Scotch NYC. It was incredibly exciting, but also tough…New York is a transient place, so our dancers were constantly moving in and out of the city for school, jobs, or life changes. We had to be really flexible and creative in order to keep momentum going, build a repertoire, and maintain performance quality with an ever-shifting group.
On top of that, we were doing something that was pretty unusual at the time: creating space for Highland dancers to return to the stage as adults … many of who had stopped dancing after high school, because that was the norm. There really wasn’t a model for what we were doing, so we had to make one up as we went. But it turned out to be really powerful, and it gave dancers a renewed sense of identity and possibility within the art form. Fast forward to today… it is so incredible to see so many Highland dancers across the world still dancing (in some capacity) well past their 20’s! I dont’ think our group was the only reason for this shift… but I can whole heartedly say they were a big part of the movement!
The biggest challenge, though, came when I moved to North Carolina during the pandemic. I had to start completely from scratch with Monroe School of Highland Dance. A new community, new dancers, and established network. It was humbling to go from a well established performance group (Shot of Scotch NYC) and dance school (Monroe School of Highland Dance) in NYC to trying to rebuild everything in a totally different environment, during a time when people couldn’t even gather in person. But I took it step by step, focused on building relationships, and slowly started to grow a new community… one that I’m incredibly proud of today.
So no, it hasn’t always been easy, but each challenge has helped me grow as a leader, teacher, and artist. These experiences have reinforced just how much this work matters.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
The Monroe School of Highland Dance is more than just a place to learn technique, it’s a space where tradition, artistry, and community come together. My co-teacher, Jessica Higgins, and I specialize in Scottish Highland dance, a deeply athletic and culturally rich dance form that blends precision and strength. While we train dancers for competition and performance, our bigger mission is to create a space where dancers of all ages feel inspired.
What sets us apart is the level of artistry, precision, and intentionality we bring to everything we do. We’re not just training dancers to check boxes for competition, but we’re developing well-rounded, powerful athletes who understand the why behind the steps. Our dancers are taught the incredibly rich history behind these dances and movements, whether they’re preparing for a championship, performing on stage, or dancing purely for joy. And after 35 years of Highland dancing, I can tell you that the joy only grows inside me.
We’re known for our strong technique foundation, dynamic choreography, and a deep respect for both the historical roots and evolving possibilities of Highland dance. We bring in guest teachers and judges, offer private lessons, choreograph original pieces, and work to connect Highland with other dance forms (like ballet) for both cross-training and artistic collaboration.
Brand-wise, I’m most proud of the community we’ve built. Our dancers support each other fiercely. They celebrate each other’s wins, lift each other through setbacks, and take real joy in being part of something meaningful. There’s a real sense of pride, belonging, and fun in what we do. That presence I feel is shared and seen by our audience… who ever that may be that day!.
Whether you’re the parent looking for a fun, challenging, and culturally rich activity for your child or an adult ready to try something new, return to dance, or take your training to the next level, I would love to have you join the fun. We’re passionate about introducing kids (of all ages) to Highland dance as a way to build strength, focus, and confidence, and equally committed to supporting adults of all levels, from complete beginners to seasoned dancers. At the Monroe School of Highland Dance, we’re growing a vibrant, multigenerational community and and we’d love to have you be part of it.
Alright so before we go can you talk to us a bit about how people can work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
This is kind of a dream questions. Ha! There are lots of ways to work with me or support what we’re building at the Monroe School of Highland Dance…whether you’re ready to dive in, dip a toe, or just clap politely from the sidelines.
If you’re local, the easiest way is to join us! We offer classes for both kids and adults… and no kilt required (but you might want one soon). Whether you’re starting from scratch, picking it back up after a decade (or two), or training for the next big goal, there’s a spot waiting for you.
If you’re part of the dance or arts world and want to collaborate (choreography, performance opportunities, workshops, or cross-training) I’m excited to hear about it. Highland dance brings something bold and unexpected to the table, and I’m always interested sharing it. We are always looking for unique spaces/stages to perform and any leads on practice space!
And if you just want to support from afar, cheering us on via social media, telling your dance-curious friends, or inviting us to perform at your event makes a huge difference. Word of mouth is powerful, and we appreciate every referral….especially the enthusiastic kind.
Bottom line: whether you’re here to learn, collaborate, or just figure out what Highland dance actually is, we’d love to have you in the mix.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.monroehighlanddance.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/monroe.highland.dance/?hl=en
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MonroeHighlandDance/
