A special exhibition honouring the life and legacy of pioneering Orcadian dance teacher Florrie Sinclair will open at the Orkney Museum in Kirkwall on Thursday 6 November, offering a rare glimpse into the career of a woman who shaped dance from Orkney to Singapore.
Running for three days, the exhibition is hosted by Stephanie Hellewell Baird of Move Orkney Dance Studio and features photographs, letters, and mementos from Sinclair’s international teaching journey—culminating in a celebration of the enduring influence she left on generations of dancers at home and abroad.
Born Florrie Tait in 1931 in Quoyburray, Tankerness, she first learned Highland dance from her mother before going on to study ballet, ballroom, and traditional Scottish forms.
Her career took an extraordinary turn in 1955 when she moved to Singapore to join the Frances Poh School of Dancing, which would eventually become the Singapore Ballet Academy.
Florrie later founded her own school—the Sinclair School of Dancing—and went on to become a longstanding examiner for the Royal Academy of Dance.
In recognition of her contributions, the RAD established an award in her name to support Scottish students in dance training, ensuring her influence continues through future generations.
The exhibition also includes live elements, with a dance performance scheduled for Saturday 8 November from 2pm to 3pm, featuring pieces inspired by Florrie’s teaching style and legacy.
Immediately following the performance, an informal conversation will take place from 3.30pm to 4.15pm, where Ola Tait, Joey Tait, and Stephanie Hellewell Baird will reflect on Florrie’s life and teaching career.
Joey Tait, one of Florrie’s former pupils and her sister-in-law, will share personal memories of dancing under Florrie’s guidance, while Ola Tait will offer family insights into the woman behind the leotards and choreography.
Stephanie Hellewell Baird, who has led efforts to preserve and honour Florrie’s legacy locally, said the event is a way to give the Orcadian public a chance to appreciate the scale of her influence.
The Orkney Museum will host the exhibition from Thursday 6 to Saturday 8 November, with opening hours from 10.30am to 12.30pm and 1.30pm to 5pm.
Admission is free, and all are welcome.
