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Country Dance and Song SocietyAmerican Dance & Music Week at Pinewoods
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Country Dance and Song SocietyAmerican Dance & Music Week at Pinewoods
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Class Descriptions & Schedule
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American Dance & Music Week at Pinewoods August 9 - 16, 2003 Program Director: Staff: * Advisor, 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.
American Dance & Music Week will please dancers and musicians alike as some of the finest callers and musicians gather to share their expertise.
For dancers, the week offers a chance to sharpen skills, learn new repertoire and have fun dancing with old and new friends. The playful Scott Higgs will lead an energetic and accessible contra style class which will address the finer points of making contras satisfying and safe. Linda Leslie is on hand to provide her friendly and perceptive leadership skills in an afternoon contra class, as well as an open mic session open to callers (and dancers) of all levels. Scott, too, will be involved with camper callers during his leadership seminar, also open to all. Program Director Lisa Greenleaf returns to rev up your square dancing and will once again offer Afternoon Delights, a late in the day look at all kinds of dances. And there's more -- Scott will investigate couple dances of all sorts, and Abby Ladin will get your toes a-tappin with her amazing Appalachian clog class.
Dancers will also be excited by the music which will be provided by our stellar musical staff: Nightingale, The Reckless Ramblers and Domino. Wow! Add to that the inimitable styling of Mary Lea, who will be leading the separate American Dance Musicians Course, and we have the makings of a joyful week of inspiring music.
For musicians, the class offerings promise something for everyone. One session of Mary's Musicians Course will be open to all, with sections for melody players and rhythm players, the latter to be lead by Keith Murphy. The patient and approachable Ginny Snowe is back with her popular music theory class and a swing band class co-led with Jeremiah McLane. Individual instrument classes include Larry Unger's guitar class, Becky Tracy's fiddle class and Rachel Aucoin's piano class (bring your electric piano and headphones to camp!). Each of these fine teachers is an expert in his or her field and will help you get the most out of your playing. Group sessions will include two in the area of quebecois music: a styling class lead by the accomplished accordion player Sabin Jacques, and a repertoire class lead by composer and master fiddler Richard Forest. Just learning a new instrument? No problem -- come to the daily slow jam lead by Larry Unger and watch your confidence grow as the week goes by.
And for dancers and musicians alike, Julia Slone's singing class will let you raise your voices in a variety of songs from all over the world.
Tying all of this together will be Cinq a Sept, an informal hour of socializing and jamming, followed by the more formal Rendezvous, during which we will listen to staff concerts, tell stories and share laughs.
American Week is a chance for individual talents to shine and for all of us to come together for a magical community experience -- please join us!
The Dance Leaders
Lisa Greenleaf has been treating dancers across the country to her concise yet witty calling for many years. Her rich repertoire, succinct teaching and commitment to community-building make her a dance camp favorite.
Scott Higgs calls contras that he loves to dance: lively, playful and with lots of swings. He began calling 25 years ago, and now presents a diverse repertoire of contra, couple and English dances at festivals and dance camps across North America.
Abby Ladin has taught thousands of people of all ages, shapes and sizes the fundamentals of Appalachian clogging. She has toured, performed and taught nationally for almost 20 years.
Linda Leslie calls extensively around New England and has traveled as far as California and Denmark. She is known for her resonant voice, clear teaching, careful programming and, most especially, her enthusiasm.
The Musicians
Domino is a high energy quebecois band with a vast repertoire of traditional and original tunes:
Fiddler and composer Richard Forest has been playing for 25 years and has performed and taught all over North America and abroad.
Sabin Jacques has been playing accordion since the age of 14, and left handed, at that! He has developed his own unmatched style, and has played in numerous festivals and on the international scene, as well as on many recordings.
Rachel Aucoin, despite a strong classical piano background, is today considered a specialist of traditional music accompaniment. She is much appreciated for her percussive, colorful, yet sensitive style, and for her second passion: teaching.
Nightingale is a Vermont-based trio whose music travels through Canada, Ireland, France and beyond to produce a blend of northern music that is unique and compelling:
Keith Murphy's distinctive rhythmic sound on guitar, mandolin, piano and foot percussion has helped drive several great contra dance bands including Nightingale, Wild Asparagus and Assembly (formerly Popcorn Behavior). Having performed at many dance events throughout the U.S. and Canada as well as overseas, he brings a wealth of experience and sophistication to his playing.
Fiddler Becky Tracy grew up dancing to downeast fiddle music and is now one of the hardest working fiddlers on the East Coast, playing with both Wild Asparagus and Nightingale. She especially enjoys teaching fiddle classes at camp.
Jeremiah McLane , playing piano and accordion, has been involved with many popular contra dance bands, including The Clayfoot Strutters, Big Table and Ruckus, as well as Nightingale. He has performed at many festivals across the country as well as in Europe.
The Reckless Ramblers are in demand across the country for their spirited take on traditional and contemporary dance tunes:
Nat Hewitt is the driving fiddler who travels the country energizing dancers with his rhythmic style, and who can also wow dancers with his deft guitar work.
Larry Unger has been a full time dance musician for almost 20 years and has played for more than 150 dances per year the last several years. He plays guitar, banjo, bass and piano among other instruments and is interested in old time and blues as well as contra dance music and has written well over 600 tunes. Personal Webpage
Sam Bartlett is the rabid, irrepressible mandolin, banjo and guitar player in the band, known to dancers for his fine musicianship and philosophy of Stuntology.
Ginny Snowe provides just the right undercurrent with her in-the-groove bass playing. She also plays a variety of styles on piano, including blues and swing.
Mary Lea is a renowned fiddle and viola player and has a long association with the bands Bare Necessities, Yankee Ingenuity and BLT. A passionate teacher, she will be leading the American Dance Musicians Course during the day and joining the rest of the staff for the evening dances. Personal Webpage
Julia Slone is a performer, voice teacher and choral director who lives in Marlboro, VT. Her a cappella group, "The Five O'Clock Belles," performs original compositions and dangerous arrangements of contemporary folk songs in five-part harmony.
| American Dance & Music Week at Pinewoods Tentative Schedule: |
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| 9:00 - 10:00 | |
| Contra Nuances | Scott Higgs |
| Appalachian Clogging | Abby Ladin |
| Music Theory | Ginny Snowe |
| Beg-Int Fiddle Technique | Becky Tracy |
| 10:15 - 11:15 | |
| Square Dance Hoedown | Lisa Greenleaf |
| American Dance Musicians: Melody | Mary Lea |
| American Dance Musicians: Rhythm | Keith Murphy |
| 1:15 - 2:15 | |
| Open Mic Contras | Linda Leslie |
| Couple Dance Potpourri | Scott Higgs |
| Quebecois Styling | Sabin Jacques |
| Quebecois Piano | Rachel Aucoin |
| Guitar Accompaniment | Larry Unger |
| 2:30 - 3:30 | |
| Fun in the Sun Contras | Linda Leslie |
| Callers Seminar | Scott Higgs |
| Swing Band | Jeremiah McLane & Ginny Snowe |
| A Cappella Orchestra | Julia Slone |
| 3:45 - 4:30 | |
| Afternoon Delights | Lisa Greenleaf |
| Quebecois Repertoire | Richard Forest |
| Slow Jam | Larry Unger |
| 4:30 - 5:15 | |
| Cinq a Sept | |
| 5:15 - 6:00 | |
| Rendezvous | |
| 8:00 | |
| Couple Dances | |
| 8:15 - 11:00 | |
| Evening Dance Party | |
| 11:00 | |
| After-dance Activities | |
Class Descriptions: [Back to Top]
Period 1
Contra Nuances -- Scott Higgs/Domino
A colorful palette of delightful contras, with an eye to the nuances that enrich everyone's dance experience. The class will focus on attentive partners and neighbors, with inspiring music and plenty of room for improvisation and play.
Appalachian Clogging -- Abby Ladin/Sam Bartlett
Abby can teach anyone to clog -- even you! Come learn the basic steps and how to move them around and call it dancing. Or come and add to your repertoire. This is always a fun class at Pinewoods.
Music Theory "As You Like It" -- Ginny Snowe
The point of this class is to understand the structure of the dance music we play, so bring those music theory questions you've been puzzling over lately. Ginny will cover her favorite topics: the circle of fifths, ear training and chord substitution, as well as other riddles you would like solved.
Beg-Int Fiddle Technique -- Becky Tracy
This class will explore bowing technique while learning some great (mostly Irish) dance tunes.
Period 2
Square Dance Hoedown -- Lisa Greenleaf/Reckless Ramblers
Come discover the joy of squares as we explore those satisfying dances from the 50s right through to the creative concoctions of contemporary composers. Square dancers know how to have fun, and with the music of the Ramblers, we'll be flying high in no time.
American Dance Musicians: Melody -- Mary Lea
This class is part of the American Dance Musicians Course and will be geared to the members of the course, but American Week campers are welcome to attend. Mary will teach tunes by ear from various traditions (Irish, quebecois, Appalachian, etc.) and discuss how to create danceable music with these melodies.
American Dance Musicians: Rhythm -- Keith Murphy
This class is part of the American Dance Musicians Course and will be geared to the members of the course, but American Week campers are welcome to attend. Keith will work on ways of harmonizing tunes, establishing a specific rhythmic feel for a dance and developing these ideas to give shape to a tune or medley.
Period 3
Open Mic Contras -- Linda Leslie/Sam Bartlett, Nat Hewitt, Abby Ladin
The focus of this session is to give all interested participants the opportunity to call. Feedback will take a variety of forms from individual analysis provided by Linda, to general thoughts on strengths and areas of improvement from the dancers.
Couple Dance Potpourri -- Scott Higgs/Jeremiah McLane, Keith Murphy
Scott presents a diverse assortment of joyful, accessible couple dances, with the underlying theme of pleasing your partner. We'll explore a different style every day, ranging from elegant hambos to dizzying zwiefachers.
Quebecois Styling -- Sabin Jacques
This music class is designed for intermediate/advanced students who are interested in learning about the quebecois style of playing. All instruments welcome.
Quebecois Piano -- Rachel Aucoin
Come learn typical patterns and chord progressions used in quebecois piano accompaniment. Bring your keyboard if possible.
Guitar Accompaniment -- Larry Unger
The main focus will be playing for contra dances, covering old time music bass runs, alternate chord voicings and drone chords for Irish, some swing chords, a healthy dose of theory and how to play by ear. If there is interest, blues techniques might also be covered.
Period 4
Fun in the Sun Contras -- Linda Leslie/Domino
Come enjoy a variety of contras with an emphasis on the pleasure of dancing to fabulous music. Along the way, we just might chat about what makes a dance memorable, but only if the mood moves us!
Callers Seminar -- Scott Higgs/Nat Hewitt
From neophyte to touring pro, all callers can improve their skills and polish their presentations. We'll work on techniques for teaching smoothly, planning programs, collaborating with musicians, coping with crises, shaping dancer expectations...and much more.
Swing Band -- Jeremiah McLane and Ginny Snowe
Learn to play swing! Melody players, chord players, vocalists and beatniks all welcome. We will teach some standard tunes, look at chord variations and even try some improvisation. Those who are comfortable playing their instruments (or voices) and have some ability to read charts and/or sheet music will gain the most from this class, but you can always learn a lot by just coming to hear the music.
A Cappella Orchestra -- Julia Slone
A singing class about creating a full and compelling sound, using the instrument of voice alone. Possible repertoire for the class includes songs from The Republic of Georgia, Quebec and original arrangements of contemporary American folk songs.
Period 5
Afternoon Delights -- Lisa Greenleaf/Nightingale
Every day will bring a new dance delight, from no walkthrough contras to odd formations to Dutch Crossing and more. A great way to end your dancing day.
Quebecois Repertoire -- Richard Forest
All are welcome at this melody class where you will learn many French Canadian traditional tunes, as well as original compositions by ear.
Slow Jam -- Larry Unger
This session will provide a relaxed atmosphere in which to practice and learn tunes.
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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