Professional Bagpiper and Scottish Highland Dancer Lezlie Paterson Brings Scottish Arts to Norwood-September 29, 1980

Bringing a vibrant touch of Scotland to a predominantly Irish community, 25-year-old Lezlie Paterson recently relocated to Norwood from Ontario, establishing herself as a professional bagpiper, Scottish Highland dancer, and instructor.

A Lifelong Art Form

Having practiced Scottish music and dance since she was eight years old, Paterson views her craft with deep dedication. “It is not only a cultural thing, but it is an art form. You think of yourself first as a dancer instead of a Scottish dancer,” she explained, noting that the discipline demands the same rigorous routines, poise, timing, and exercises as ballet and tap.

Paterson holds the distinction of being the only teacher of piping and highland dancing in Massachusetts certified by both the Scottish Dance Teachers Alliance and the Institute of Piping in Glasgow, Scotland, where she studied for two and a half years following her high school graduation in Canada.

Settling into Norwood

In just her first four weeks in town—following her marriage in her hometown of Brockville, Ontario—Paterson has settled into a first-floor apartment in a two-family house on Walnut Avenue, joined the Worcester Kiltie Pipe Band, affiliated with a local church, and arranged a busy teaching schedule spanning Vermont, Cape Cod, Worcester, and Norwood.

Her husband, Howard Jones, is studying for his master’s degree in business administration at Babson College in Wellesley. Explaining how they selected Norwood, Paterson noted, “We liked the look of the town. It was nice and clean, and is very similar to Brockville… And the landlord was so nice… that helped us make our decision.” She added that her landlords haven’t minded the sound of bagpipes echoing from the first floor, though she always politely warns them before playing. While she finds most neighbors exceptionally friendly, she joked about local terminology: “I tell them scotch is a drink” when people mistakenly refer to her heritage as “scotch” instead of Scottish.

Local Teaching and Future Plans

Paterson currently teaches about 25 students, mostly children, registered for lessons at the Gymnastic Academy on Route 1, with families traveling from as far away as the North Shore. Looking ahead to the spring, she hopes to organize her students into a non-profit performing group to entertain nursing home residents and church groups, as well as host a regional dance competition to attract Scottish dancers from across New England, New York, and New Jersey.

“It would be something new for Norwood and I think it is a nice way to introduce Scottish things here,” she said.

Archival Note: This article has been dynamically reconstructed from the original public record print archives of the Patriot Ledger