QUEEN OF SCOTS
DANCE ACADEMY
The QSDA teachers are a team of highly motivated, trained, experienced and dedicated individuals.
(Did we mention we also like to have fun?) Take a moment to learn a little more about each of us!
Bree Erin Brownlee
"Anyone who says sunshine brings happiness has never danced in the rain!"
Bree Brownlee was a competitive Highland dancer since the age of 3. She won numerous prestigious titles during her 18 year competitive career. Bree has been the Midwest Regional Champion, United States National Champion and placed 4th at the World Championships! She qualified 11 consecutive times for the US National Championship where she was ranked in the top 6 in the country all 11 times and in the top 3 nine of those times, never finishing lower than 4th. She is a registered member of ScotDance USA (FUSTA) and the BATD. In addition, she has studied classical ballet, lyrical, jazz and tap. At her last ballet performance she was the lead role of Swanilda in the classic ballet, Coppelia. Within ScotDance USA Bree was the chairperson for the 2022, 2016 and 2010 United States Inter-Regional Highland Dance Championship weekend and formerly the Footwork (the national newsletter) editor.
She studied Highland under the direction of Bill and Liz Weaver. She began teaching in 1998, when she passed her teachers exam 'highly commended' through the British Association of Teachers of Dancing (BATD). In addition to being the founder of QSDA, she is also the website manager and designer. In 2002 she was crowned the Alma Queen of Scots, hence the name of her studio.
Bree is a 2004 graduate of Alma College, where she graduated with honors in Media & Mass Communications and Theater/Dance, where she was a member of the prestigious Alma College Dance Company, studying under the direction of Tom Morris. While there she performed many classical pieces, had the opportunity to work with well-known choreographers and choreograph works herself to be set on the company. Bree was awarded the 2009 Alma College Young Alumni Award. The award recognizes recently graduated alumni (between 1 and 10 years) who have given faithful service to Alma College and their communities. Bree now works at the advertising agency Leo Burnett Detroit as a Senior Vice President, Group Account Director.
Sheila Brownlee
"The things I love the most I cannot hold in my hand. They are instead the memories I hold in my heart, put there
by the ones who love me."
Sheila is Bree's mum and has been with her daughter every step of the way. Being the prefect "dance mum" she
attended every lesson where she diligently took notes and helped her daughter practice every day. Through her
years of experience she offers guidance not only as an instructor, but also as a former "dancers mum." Sheila
currently teaches the Primary classes. She is currently studying to take her teachers exam next year. In addition,
Sheila also creates custom-made competitive Highland dance costumes. Sheila is married to Keith Brownlee and is the proud mum to Bree, and puppy Paisley.
Kim Light
Kim, known to the dancers as Miss Kimmy, is QSDAs biggest fan! Additionally, she can be found teaching the conditioning classes and stretching and exercises for the dancers. Kim was a highly accomplished softball player and equestrian. As a member of the Alma College Softball team, Kim won 4 regional titles and attended the softball Nationals for NCAA DIII in 2004 and 2005. A 2005 graduate of Alma College with a major in biology and education, Kim currently is a Project Coordinator for Antea Group. She also received her Masters of Science in Environmental Science from the University of Michigan in 2011.
The QSDA is excited to use Kim's athletic background and experience to help our dancers make it to the
next level!