Jessica McElhaney (née Bach) began dancing and competing in Scottish Highland dance in 1999, after being exposed to the art form through her grandfather’s Irish pub, where Highland dancers and bagpipers performed each St. Patrick’s Day. What began as a childhood introduction quickly grew into a lifelong passion.

Jessica’s competitive and performance career has included appearances at Epcot Center in Walt Disney World, performances in professional theatres for the premiere of Pixar’s Brave, and numerous competitive awards. These experiences shaped not only her technical foundation, but also her understanding of how Highland dance can build confidence, discipline, and resilience in young dancers.

In 2010, Jessica became a certified competitive Highland dance teacher through the British Association of Teachers of Dancing (BATD). She is also a member of ScotDance USA, the national organization for Highland dance teachers in the United States, and the Scottish Dance Teachers' Alliance (SDTA). From 2017–2019, Jessica served as the Western Regional Delegate for ScotDance USA, holding a seat on the organization’s National Board of Directors. In 2025, she served as Competition Co‑Chair for the ScotDance USA National Championships.

In 2018, Jessica and fellow Sacramento‑area teachers founded ScotDance Sacramento to promote Scottish Highland dancing through classes, performances, and community events. Today, Jessica regularly travels with her dancers to competitions, workshops, performances, and conferences, ensuring they receive high‑quality instruction and opportunities appropriate to their goals.

As a teacher, Jessica is known for her encouraging approach and her commitment to correct technique, musicality, and age‑appropriate training. She believes Highland dancing should challenge students while remaining positive and supportive, helping dancers grow not only in skill but in confidence and perseverance. Her students’ progress and determination continue to inspire her teaching. 

Jessica credits her teacher and mentor, Kyla Groeschel, with providing the guidance and encouragement which have shaped her development as both a dancer and teacher, and with setting her on the path toward future judging qualifications.

Beyond preserving tradition, Jessica believes Scottish Highland dancing offers dancers lasting skills that extend far beyond the studio. Through structured training, dancers develop posture, coordination, musical awareness, focus, and self-discipline, while learning how to work toward goals and perform with confidence. 

These qualities support students both on and off the dance floor, making Highland dancing not only a cultural art form, but a meaningful foundation for personal growth. For many families, Highland dancing becomes not just a dance class, but a positive, enriching activity that over time becomes a way of life. 

Our dancers are as diverse as they are dedicated, ranging from beginners taking their first steps to seasoned competitors refining their craft. What unites them all is a commitment to learning, growing, and embracing the tradition and athleticism of Highland dance.

Highland dancing is both a traditional Scottish art form and a competitive sport, demanding strength, agility, coordination, and precision. Through structured classes and disciplined training, our dancers develop:

• Confidence in their abilities and in front of an audience

• Strength, balance, and athletic coordination

• Focus, discipline, and persistence

• Respect for peers, teachers, and the tradition of Highland dance

• Resilience, learning to approach challenges with determination
  
  

At Tartan Hearts, dancers gain more than technique — they build habits, attitudes, and character that support success both on and off the dance floor. They carry lessons in precision, excellence, and perseverance into academics, sports, and everyday life, creating a foundation for lifelong growth.