Submitted photo Evelyn Bennett performs at the regional Highland dance competition in 2019.

Submitted photo
Evelyn Bennett performs at the regional Highland dance competition in 2019.

ELKINS — For the first time in West Virginia Highland dance history, a local dancer will perform in a military tattoo event.

Evelyn Bennett, who is the fifth-ranked Highland dancer in her age group in the nation, has been selected to dance in the Virginia International Tattoo this spring.

In dance terms, a tattoo is a large military show for which Highland dancers must complete auditions in order to be selected to perform. There are many tattoos all over the world, including in Scotland, Russia and Nova Scotia.

The Virginia International Tattoo is the largest show of its kind in the United States, with more than 38,000 people attending each year. This tattoo offers a display of mesmerizing military music, a massive variety of bagpipes and drums, a jaw-dropping drill team, colorful and elegant dancers, and much more.

The tattoo features new performers from across the world each year, with new themes of honor and patriotism, as well as new visual and auditory experiences. The 24th annual Tattoo, set for April 30-May 3, will feature more than 1,000 performers from eight different countries.

The 75th anniversary of the end of World War II will be marked during the event to honor the courage and sacrifice of the greatest generation.

“Tattoos take place all over the world and they are wonderful performance opportunities for Highland dancers. Evelyn is the first dancer from West Virginia to participate in one, and we are very excited!” said Katy Dillon, instructor of the West Virginia Highland Dancers in Elkins for more than 20 years. “It is Evelyn’s ultimate goal to be selected to dance in the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo someday, and she knows that this will be a great experience.

“It’s my goal for my dancers to have as many great opportunities as possible, so I’ve always encouraged them to audition for various military tattoos. I hope hearing about Evelyn’s experience will inspire my younger dancers to work hard and audition when they are older,” Dillon said.

Bennett described what her journey has been to the point of her acceptance into the Tattoo’s dance team.

“The preparation took a lot of work and practice. Taking the audition videos was different than anything I’ve ever done. Each time I’d complete the video, I would choose to retake it again and again until it was perfect,” she said. ”

I was so nervous when I sent in my audition tape because I knew that so many amazing dancers from the whole nation were auditioning for the same spot that I wanted. I was so happy when I received the email that I got in. I couldn’t believe that world class teachers had chosen me to be apart of this wonderful experience,” Bennett said.

“The decision to audition in the beginning was a very hard decision for me because the tattoo performances are the same time as my regional competition. This would mean that I wouldn’t have a chance to compete at nationals,” she said. “However, with lots of thought I realized how much of an honor it would be to perform alongside of this world class team, so I started on my application and my choreography for the audition video.”

Bennett said she is grateful for what her dedication to dancing has brought her.

“Highland dance has brought me so many opportunities that I never thought would be attainable,” she said. “I wouldn’t be the person I am today without the lessons this sport has taught me.

“I can’t wait to embark on this journey and I want to thank everyone who has helped me along the way. I truly wouldn’t be where I am without my faith, family, dance team and amazing teacher, Katy.”