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Country Dance and Song SocietyEnglish & American Dance Week at Pinewoods
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Country Dance and Song SocietyEnglish & American Dance Week at Pinewoods
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English & American Dance Week at Pinewoods August 3 - 10, 2002 Program Director: Staff: * Advisors, plus: |
Program Description: [Back to Top]
Look up our Adult Programs for some general information; here is more detail about this particular program and staff.
English & American Week has always had a rich variety of styles and traditions of dance and music, and this year we offer you even more! There are opportunities for everyone to try out something new as well as time to do what you love best -- country and display dancing, singing, playing music, storytelling, perusing the bookstore, swimming and relaxing in the magical pine woods. Make your own schedule. No matter how full or easygoing, you're sure to have a fun-filled week and come away with many new friends as well as renewed friendships.
For English country dancers, Helene Cornelius and Philippe Callens will lead modern and classic dances, including a period with simultaneous graded classes -- treats for everyone! Cis Hinkle and Mary Devlin will provide contra classes with some of the best dances around; Cis will also bring out your inner square dancer in an eclectic and fast-moving hour. Mary and David DiGiuseppe will run the open mic, your chance to call, play, or simply dance some more. Rick Mohr, foreman of the renowned Commonwealth Morris Men and inspiring teacher, has rapper and Morris just waiting for you whether you're experienced or new to the forms. For a special treat, Alex Woodcock is coming from England to teach English clog in two graded classes. He's a marvel and definitely not to be missed. And there's more! This year we have two singing classes. Chris Rua will explore a singing spectrum ranging from Renaissance to rounds. And for those of us who consider ourselves "singing-impaired", Karen Geer will help us hear ourselves differently. As the final treat for the week, Donald Davis, storyteller extraordinaire, will teach two storytelling classes and tell stories for the whole camp. This is a unique opportunity to explore stories with a master, stories that parallel the journey of song, music and dance from the U.K. to the U.S.
Your day will include five workshop periods and an all-camp gathering showcasing camper and staff talents. After dinner most dance evenings will start with some English or American dance favorites, danced without walk through or prompting, and each evening will include a variety of English and American dance. Most evenings the dance will be followed by activities. Besides the traditional opening and closing night parties, skit night/talent show, the fun- and fund-raising auction and ubiquitous jam sessions, we've a special singing evening planned. Bring your songs and music and put on your saddle shoes for rock 'n roll karaoke. Forget singing in the shower -- we've got a live band to back you up!
The "free night" will be on Wednesday again this year; there is no formally scheduled activity but there is always a camper-led dance. Bring your dances to call and/or instruments to play in the band, both for this dance and for the open mic session. The week will end with class presentations on Friday followed by a party outsides Pinecones and a final Grand Ball.
Our community will be further enlivened by the American Dance Musicians Course, led by Mary Lea and offered to a preregistered group of musicians.
Music and Song
Joyce Crouch plays English country dance piano in Amherst, MA and around the Northeast, individually and as a member of Pleasures of the Town. Joyce also teaches English country dancing and is a beautiful dancer.
David DiGiuseppe, from Chapel Hill, N.C., is well-known for his fiery accordion playing, extending into English, Irish, contra dance and southern old-time styles. He is a founding member of the dance band Footloose and has performed professionally since 1978. Personal Webpage
Daron Douglas lives and plays music in New Orleans. She plays terrific English country dance fiddle with a background of a traditional Appalachian upbringing, and thanks her grandmother for the gift of her ballads and gardening preoccupation.
Karen Geer, from New York City, sings beautifully and is equally adept at encouraging others to find their own singing voice. She responds enthusiastically to the cry of "Tu- ba, Tu-ba!"
Dave Langford is an experienced and versatile fiddler, guitarist and fiddle teacher from the Boston area. He combines multiple styles of fiddling with fierce energy and drive. Dave is a member of The Latter Day Lizards, Childsplay and other musical configurations.
Mary Lea (fiddle, viola) is a member of Bare Necessities, Yankee Ingenuity and MGM as well as other traditional dance music ensembles. Her solo CDs reflect an extraordinary intelligence and scope. Mary is an expert music teacher and coach; her focus this week will be on the American Dance Musicians Course during the day. Mary will join the staff in playing for evening dance parties. Personal Webpage
Chris Rua sings and plays recorders and oboe with many different groups including the New York Ensemble for Early Music, Dove's Figary and Piffaro. A full-time musician, she's always busy teaching, touring and performing in the Boston area. Personal Webpage
Lissa Schneckenburger (fiddle) has opened for artists such as Alasdair Fraser and Skyedance and Judy Collins. She is a founding member of Halali, which specializes in contemporary arrangements of traditional fiddle tunes and folk songs. Lissa is a graduate of the New England Conservatory of Music in Boston. Personal Webpage
Larry Unger, from Lincoln, MA, plays guitar, banjo and bass with Uncle Gizmo, Reckless Abandon, Big Table and Reckless Ramblers. A prolific and extraordinary composer, Larry's fiddle tunes and waltzes are played wherever there is contra dancing. Personal Webpage
Dave Wiesler is one of the Mid-Atlantic's most versatile and sought-after pianists of traditional music, as well as a fine guitar player. He's a member of Cabaret Sauvignon, Laura and the Lava Lamps, Microchasm and numerous other groups. Personal Webpage
Country Dance
Philippe Callens, from Antwerp, Belgium, is already well known on this continent as an English country dance leader who easily combines high quality dancing and dancers' enjoyment. His classes are always a treat.
Helene Cornelius, from Boston, MA, truly needs no introduction. She'll bring her vast repertoire, long experience, standards of good dancing and concise teaching to two English country dance classes each day.
Mary Devlin is a contra and English country dance leader from Portland, OR. Known for her friendly, relaxed manner, Mary sets the tone for fun as she teaches dance style points that make a difference. Personal Webpage
Cis Hinkle, from Atlanta, GA, delights dancers with her welcoming manner, clear instruction, enthusiastic calling and perfect selection of dances. She specializes in flowing, sometimes challenging contras, and fast-moving, Western-style squares. Personal Webpage
Display / Ritual Dance
Rick Mohr has been enthusiastically dancing, teaching and choreographing Morris and rapper dances for 20 years and is currently foreman of Boston's widely admired Commonwealth Morris Men. He is known for clear and well-paced teaching, good humor and fresh tradition-based choreography. Personal Webpage
Alex Woodcock, from West Sussex in England, started learning traditional northeastern clog dancing 68 years ago. He's a master clog dancer and we are fortunate indeed to have him teaching at English & American Week.
Storytelling
Donald Davis is simply the best. He's not only a master storyteller, he's also a master teacher of other storytellers, reveling in helping others develop their creative spirit. Personal Webpage
| English & American Dance Week at Pinewoods Tentative Schedule: |
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| 9:00 - 10:00 | |
| ECD: Five Masters | Philippe |
| Squares on the Right Side of the Brain | Cis |
| Rapper for All | Rick |
| 10:15 - 11:15 | |
| ECD: Hits of the 17th and 18th Centuries | Helene |
| Classy Contras | Mary D. |
| Beginning English Clog | Alex |
| 11:25 - 11:55 | |
| All Camp Gathering | Cis |
| 1:45 - 2:45 | |
| Open Mic for Callers and Musicians | MCs: Mary D. David D. |
| Morris: "Minneapolis-on-Charles" | Rick |
| Stories for Fun and a Little Bit More | Donald |
| 3:00 - 4:00 | |
| English Country Dance for All | Philippe |
| ECD: Go Figure | Helene |
| Advanced English Clog | Alex |
| We All Have Stories | Donald |
| 4:05 - 4:25 | |
| Tea | |
| 4:30 - 5:30 | |
| A Contra Tour of the U.S. | Cis |
| Singing: A Movable Feast | Chris |
| Singing for All (and this means YOU!) | Karen |
| 8:00 | |
| Special Dances | |
| 8:15 | |
| Evening Dance Party | |
| 11:00 | |
| After-dance Activities | |
Class Descriptions: [Back to Top]
English Country Dance Classes
ECD: Five Masters -- Philippe Callens/Daron Douglas, Dave Wiesler
Philippe will choose from among the best of contemporary English country dances written by Pat Shaw, Fried de Metz Herman, Charles Bolton, Tom Cook and Gary Roodman.
ECD: Hits of the 17th and 18th Centuries -- Helene Cornelius/Daron Douglas, Joyce Crouch
Dance the best as you learn from the best. Helene's movement and style tips will have everyone dancing beautifully.
English Country Dance for All -- Philippe Callens/Dave Langford, Chris Rua, Joyce Crouch
Brush up on your style with Philippe's expert guidance. He welcomes everyone to a fun-filled hour of English dance.
ECD: Go Figure -- Helene Cornelius/Daron Douglas, David DiGiuseppe, Dave Wiesler
Ready for a challenge? Helene will teach dances that are wonderful treats for confident English country dancers, but are too complex for social dance evenings. (Graded class for experienced dancers)
American Country Dance Classes
Squares on the Right Side of the Brain -- Cis Hinkle/Dave Langford, Larry Unger
Warm up your body and brain with Cis's fabulous squares. She calls only the best and will have those cobwebs cleared away in a flash!
Classy Contras -- Mary Devlin/Lissa Schneckenburger, Larry Unger
Contras that flow are a guarantee. Then you'll discover how to make them even more fun with tips for improving your dance relationships -- with partners, neighbors and the music.
A Contra Tour of the U.S. -- Cis Hinkle/Lissa Schneckenburger, Larry Unger
Join your tour guide, Cis, as you visit different parts of the country. Each day will focus on a region's choreographers. Pick up some regional variations as you dance great contras.
Open Mic for Callers and Musicians -- Mary Devlin & David DiGiuseppe
Come dance, call or play music -- or do some of each! Mary will coach callers and give feedback (if you want) while David leads musicians in great dance tunes. We'll dance English, contras, squares -- you name it. It's up to you!
Morris, Sword and Clog Dance Classes
Rapper for All -- Rick Mohr/Lissa Schneckenburger
Rick will lead a rapper class open to all, presenting an exciting dance with opportunities to learn and improve on the full range of rapper skills -- stepping, figures, drive, teamwork, flips and presentation. Wear hard-soled shoes.
Morris for All: "Minneapolis-on-Charles" -- Rick Mohr/Dave Langford
Learn exhilarating dances of the "Minneapolis-on-Charles" style evolved by Boston's Commonwealth Morris Men from the ancient Midwestern Cotswold tradition, "Minneapolis-on-Mississippi". The dances are fun, strongly rooted in traditional morris, accessible to newcomers and enjoyable for veterans. Wear athletic shoes.
Beginning English Clog -- Alex Woodcock/David DiGiuseppe
Not done much (or any) English clog yet? This is your perfect opportunity! Join Alex as he teaches beginning waltz clog or hornpipe. Bring dance clogs or hard-soled shoes.
Advanced English Clog -- Alex Woodcock/Rick Mohr
Alex will teach either advanced waltz clog, hornpipe or ragtime to those with experience in English clog dancing. This is your chance to learn from a master. Bring your dance clogs.
Singing and Storytelling
Stories for Fun and a Little Bit More -- Donald Davis
Stories tell us who we are. Donald will do annotated storytelling, including traditional stories and those of the Scots-Irish migration and the Appalachians which are the basis for his original story creations.
We All Have Stories -- Donald Davis
Discover stories hiding inside you that you didn't know were there. Learn how to shape, structure and remember them so they're fun to tell to both to family and beyond.
Singing: A Movable Feast -- Chris Rua
Chris welcomes singers to explore a broad musical spectrum. Medieval, Renaissance, Sacred Harp, close harmony, rounds and traditional songs from England and America are all on the menu. Explore vocal technique and enjoy time to share some favorite songs. Please be able to read music. (Graded class for people who enjoy singing.)
Singing for All (and this means YOU!) -- Karen Geer
Karen will lead singing for those who think they don't know how, or are scared to, and/or were told not to. If someone ever said to "mouth the words", this is your class! We'll look at basic breathing and singing, basic harmony and song concepts. Mostly, we'll have fun in a non-judgmental class! Bring your questions. (Graded class for non-singers)
All Camp Gathering -- Cis Hinkle
Staff
Class Descriptions & Schedule
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413-268-7426 |
Country Dance and Song Society 132 Main St/PO Box 338 Haydenville, MA 01039-0338 Office Hours M-F 9:30am - 5:00pm EST |
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