Jean and Robert Forbes: Honoring a Legacy of Dance, Music, and Community

For more over thirty years, Jean and Robert Forbes of Dallas, Texas shaped the cultural landscape of Scottish arts in the American Southwest. Their names became synonymous with excellence in Highland dance and piping, but their true legacy lies in the generations of young people they inspired, the communities they built, and the traditions they safeguarded with unwavering devotion.

Jean Forbes was one of the region’s most respected Scottish dance instructors—disciplined, encouraging, and deeply committed to the artistry and athleticism of Highland dance. In 1960, She founded the Forbes School of Dancing (later The Forbes Dance Academy), where she taught Highland dancing, ballet, tap, and tumbling for over 30 years. Her studio became a home for dancers across Texas and neighboring states, many of whom went on to compete at the highest levels. Jean’s teaching blended precision with joy, ensuring that every dancer understood not only the steps but the heritage behind them.

Her husband, Robert Forbes, was equally influential in the world of piping. Robert was from Clunie, Perthshire, Scotland and played the bagpipes from age 9. He established a summer school for piping in Dallas with Seamus MacNeill, which ran for many years between 1972 and 1987. He founded the first bagpipe band in Dallas, which was sponsored by the Hella Temple Shriners. That band became the City of Dallas Pipes and Drums before changing their name to Dallas Caledonian Pipes and Drums, currently known as North Texas Caledonian. A gifted musician and a patient teacher, he trained countless pipers who would become the backbone of competitions, parades, and Scottish events throughout the region.

Together, Jean and Robert formed a rare partnership—two instructors whose talents complemented each other and whose shared passion for Scottish culture enriched every student who walked through their doors.

Long before the region had the robust network of dancers, pipers, and games it enjoys today, the Forbeses were laying the foundation. They organized workshops, supported fledgling Highland games, and encouraged collaboration among teachers and parents. Their influence extended far beyond Dallas; dancers and pipers across the Southwest trace their artistic lineage back to the Forbes studio. Their leadership helped establish a culture of excellence, camaraderie, and respect—values that continue to define the region’s Scottish arts community.

Now, the community of dancers, pipers, Highland games organizers, and Scottish heritage society leaders have an opportunity to demonstrate their appreciation.

This year, the United States Inter‑Regional Championships (USIR) for Highland dancing will be held in Dallas on July 22 to 26, 2026. Approximately 400 dancers and teachers will be attending from across the United States and overseas.

The Solo & Group Choreography events will provide a special opportunity to honor these beloved teachers by naming the event in their honor as the “Jean and Robert Forbes Memorial Choreography Event.” This celebration recognizes not only their contributions as instructors but also their belief in creativity, expression, and the joy of performance—qualities that choreography uniquely showcases.

The Choreography events each provide cash awards totaling $1,575, and the sponsoring organization, the nonprofit ScotDance USA, is seeking contributions to sponsor both events in their honor. Donations may be made through PayPal at https://www.paypal.com/ncp/payment/WHTZU727FVR9A.

The event committee will print a full‑page tribute in the official USIR program, ensuring that dancers, families, and visitors from across the country will learn about the extraordinary impact the Forbeses had on Scottish dance and piping in the Southwest and far beyond.

Though Jean and Robert are no longer with us, their influence continues to resonate. Every dancer who steps onto the stage, every piper who tunes their instrument, and every parent who cheers from the sidelines participates in a tradition the Forbeses helped nurture. The 2026 USIR will not only crown dance champions—it will honor two champions of culture, community, and the enduring spirit of Scottish arts in America.

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Learn more here on Facebook at the Jean & Robert Forbes Memorial Page at https://www.facebook.com/groups/1269469511693114