Country Dance and Song Society

Dance Leaders Course at Buffalo Gap
July 6 - 13, 2002

This program is completed. Please look for informationon the 2003 season in the Fall.

Buffalo Gap	Pinewoods			Ogontz
Dance Week Dance Leaders Family	Early Music Folk Music Family	English & American American Musicians English Dance English Musicians	Campers' American Dance Square Callers	New Family Teacher Family

Schedule & Fees

Registration Info

Registration Form

Scholarships

Camplife

Dance Leaders Course at Buffalo Gap
July 6 - 13, 2002
Program Director:
Bruce Hamilton

Tentative Schedule: [Back to Top]

9:00 - 10:00

Dance Leaders Course Bruce Hamilton
Mary Devlin
Bob Pasquarello

10:15 - 11:15

English as a Second Language Joseph

Body and Soul (advanced ECD) Bruce

Write-a-Dance Kathy A.

11:30 - 12:15

All Camp Gathering Tom

1:15 - 2:00

Community Sing Tom & Anne

2:15 - 3:15

Dance Leaders Course Bruce Hamilton
Mary Devlin
Bob Pasquarello

3:30 - 4:30

Hot Squares Kathy A.

Longsword Dave

Mummers Alisa

4:45 - 5:45

Open Mic Mary

Shape Note Fred

8:00

Couple Dances

8:15

Evening Dance Party

11:00

After-dance refreshments
Late-night parties (camper initiated)

Program Description: [Back to Top]

Look up our Special Programs for some general information; here is more detail about this particular program and staff.

Held during Dance Week at Buffalo Gap, the course is intended for people who have some experience calling and want to move to the next level.

There are many skills involved in calling, and they take more than a week to develop. We don't try to do that: instead, we give you tools for teaching yourself. You will learn how to see clearly what goes on at a dance, and how to improve any part of it -- your weaknesses and your strengths -- creatively and effectively. You'll get feedback in a form that is useful, and non-threatening enough that you can actually let it in. You'll begin to learn how to evaluate yourself in the same way.

Besides the "see-evaluate-improve" pattern, which we will practice throughout the week, we'll touch on many small subjects: how to pick a tempo and communicate it to a band, how to talk rhythmically, how to be heard and understood without hurting your voice, how to have infinite patience with dancers, how to read dance directions, how to make your calling more efficient (no matter how efficient it already is), how to be in charge without becoming autocratic and other topics depending on the needs of the participants. You'll get a start on these, and chances to practice every day. You can then use the tools mentioned above to continue developing your skill after you get back home. The material is particularly applicable to English country and contra dance callers.

Class Descriptions: [Back to Top]
Two Caller's Classes (9:00-10:00 and 2:15-3:15): An intense mixture of dancing, practice-calling, lecture, demonstration and discussion. Bruce Hamilton leads this, with Mary Devlin assisting and Bob Pasquarello playing, for a better than 3:1 student/staff ratio.

Afternoon Practice Calling (4:45-5:45): An open-mic session for students in the course and other camper-callers who want to practice their calling. You can watch, dance, practice what you learned in the morning or just get some air time. Mary Devlin coordinates this and provides gentle, constructive feedback.

That still leaves two periods to study, practice, rest or dance in one of the classes offered at Dance Week.

Materials: [Back to Top]
You will be asked to read Chapters 1-4 of The Inner Game of Tennis by W. Timothy Gallwey. You should bring dances for practice-calling (easy ones are especially recommended) and a lively curiosity.

Registration: [Back to Top]
The registration deadline for this course is March 18. If it is oversubscribed on the 18th, there will be a lottery. This course is limited to eight participants to ensure plenty of opportunity for active participation. Scholarships are available.