Director Profile: Kate DeGood
Kate DeGood didn’t start highland dancing until she moved to Alma when she was 7 years old. The 2007alumna’s mother, who was a Dutch dancer while growing up in Holland, signed her up for classes.
DeGood has since acquired more than 80 career championship titles throughout the world. In addition to placing first at the World Highland Dance Championship twice, she also has placed in the top six seven times. She is currently the adult level’s 5th runner-up.
“I’ve had the opportunity to travel all over the world to compete and perform,” she says. “It is absolutely amazing that I have friends from Australia to Canada.”
Kate DeGood ’07
While attending Alma College, DeGood, who studied biology, was able to continue to pursue her passion of highland dancing. This, along with the individual research opportunities offered, is why she chose to become a Scot.
“There are very few places in the country where highland dancers can continue their competitive careers while attending college,” says DeGood. “For that reason, Alma College is a very unique place.”
As the Highland Dance Director, DeGood co-coordinates the Highland Arts Program. She also is responsible for teaching and recruiting new students at the state, national and international levels.
“I believe in what Alma College does,” she says. “I loved my time here, and I’m so excited to build upon the program my mentor, Christie Freestone, started.”
DeGood’s teaching experience also extends to the Mid-Michigan Highland Dance Academy and Kilgour Scottish Centre Academy, where she’s an instructor.
Her accomplishments also include her positions as a fellow of the British Association of Teachers of Dance (BATD) and Scottish Dance Teachers Alliance (STDA) and chairperson of the BATD Great Lakes Region.
