Country Dance and Song Society Family Week at Pinewoods August 16 - 23, 2003

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Program Description Staff Class Descriptions & Schedule

Family Week at Pinewoods August 16 - 23, 2003 Program Directors: Cecily Pilzer Charlie Pilzer Staff: Andy Davis Robin Davis Mary Devlin Anne Goodwin * Robin Hayden Valerie Kosednar Dave Langford * Meredith Langstaff Lynne Mackey Elvie Miller Emily Miller Owen Morrison Naomi Morse Laura Robertson Robbin Schaffer Ken Shimizu Bill Wellington * Advisors, plus: Mary Alice Amidon Peter Amidon Brad Foster

Program Description: [Back to Top]

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

Hot dances on a cool night; a cool swim on a warm day; a peal of children's laughter; the sighing of the wind in the pine trees. A clash of swords; the rhythmic tap of clog dancing; the majestic sweep of stars in the night sky; the quiet concentration of a weaver; the smell of a pine forest. The taste of fresh baking; the sound of voices linked in the harmony of a song; the mystery of a mummers play; fiddles and a piano playing a reel; the pleasure of sitting in the sun and conversing with friends; and the gathering of families. All are part of Family Week at Pinewoods.

Family Week at Pinewoods provides an opportunity for parents and children to sing, dance, play and relax together in a wooded rustic environment between two ponds. The success of CDSS Family Week programs is due in part to the skills learned and in part to the long-lasting friendships established at camp. It is also due to the community spirit that is taken home from camp and the combination of the families that come to camp, the program staff and the camp crew that make each year's Family Week unique.

The daily program is built around traditional American and English dancing, singing, instrumental music, storytelling, crafts and games. The program staff has been chosen for their ability to instruct and inspire dancers and singers and performers of all ages and abilities. Some are familiar from previous years and some are new to Family Week at Pinewoods. The classes for the younger members of the camp community incorporate singing, dancing and creative activities. For the teens and adults, not only are there dance classes in English country and American squares and contras, this year there will be a class in basic dance steps and couple dances; two kinds of clogging classes -- Appalachian and English waltz clog; a harmony singing class and a class in rapper sword. And for all, there are many different craft classes.

Each day starts with a class designed for each age group; a Morning Gathering where the entire camp community participates in dances, games and songs; and swimming. After lunch, campers can rest or nap or take a class with family members. Another age appropriate class, swimming and a community sing and story session fill the afternoon until dinner. Early evening activities include a community dance for all and a program of songs and stories. A Pied Piper will lead the younger children to their cabins and bed. Roving babysitters will check on sleeping children while teens and parents enjoy an evening dance and late night jam sessions, song swaps and socializing.

While the schedule is full, there is still time for informal jams or sings or parties or just plain silliness. Perhaps the teens will challenge the rest of camp to a volleyball game again!

Campers are encouraged to demonstrate their talents and knowledge at the two daily gatherings. Tuesday evening will provide an opportunity for a camper-led evening program and dance. Bring your instruments and a dance to call! Friday afternoon will feature show-and-tell for classes to demonstrate skills learned during the week, a festive parade about the camp and games for all.

Staff: [Back to Top]

Andy Davis, an elementary music teacher in the Vermont public schools, is an accomplished dance caller, musician and inspiring song leader. A favorite with children of all ages, Andy tours with the group Nowell Sing We Clear and, as a co-founder of New England Dancing Masters, presents traditional dance workshops in schools and communities. With Robin, he has been a program director of Family Weeks at Buffalo Gap, Kinder Ring and Ogontz.

Robin Davis, a professional baker by trade, has been program director of Family Weeks at Buffalo Gap, Kinder Ring and Ogontz. She also has a life-long passion for Ukrainian egg dyeing and traditional folded paper ornaments.

Mary Devlin teaches English country dancing, contra and square dancing, and it is her particular delight to see the fun people have improving their dancing skills at camp. She's taught dancing at camps in Denmark, Canada and around the U.S. In her spare time she's slowly learning to fiddle, and is President-elect of CDSS.

Anne Goodwin is part of the Boston area folk a cappella quartet, Taproot. She has also performed sea chanties, Balkan music and Gaelic songs in her eclectic career as a folk singer. She has worked in children's theatre as an actress, costume designer and director. Anne is joining the staff at Family Week after many years as a happy camper at various CDSS camps.

Robin Hayden teaches English country dancing in Amherst and Boston, MA. She started dancing almost as soon as she got off the train at Swarthmore College in 1979. Known for her lyrical dancing and dynamic teaching, she has participated in weekends, workshops and festivals across the northeast and in the U.K.

Valerie Kosednar is a singer and teacher of young musicians. Until recently at The Little Red Schoolhouse in New York City, Valerie now teaches in New Hampshire and resides in Vermont where she conducts the Main Street Children's Chorus, teaches early childhood music classes at the Brattleboro Music Center and sings with the group Emerald Stream.

Dave Langford is an experienced and versatile fiddler, guitarist and fiddle teacher from the Boston area. A veteran of over 20 years of playing for all manner of dance events, Dave combines multiple styles of fiddling with fierce energy and drive. Dave is featured on recordings of the "mega-fiddle-band" Childsplay and currently plays in several musical configurations including The Latter Day Lizards and Barley Moon.

Meredith Langstaff, a student in Washington, DC, has attended many CDSS Family Weeks at Buffalo Gap and Ogontz. An avid dancer and singer and member of Charm City Rapper, she has also been a member of the teen chorus for Washington Revels and of her school's change bell ringing team.

Lynne Mackey has studied piano at the Juilliard and Eastman schools of music. She has been playing piano for English country and contra dances in and around Staunton and Charlottesville, VA, since she moved there several years ago.

Elvie Miller is a student at Oberlin College and an avid dance musician and weaver. She has spent many summers as a camper at Family Week. Recently, she studied traditional Scandinavian weaving at Fosen Folk School in Rissa, Norway.

Emily Miller, currently a student at Brown University, has taught Appalachian, gospel and early country singing around the Midwest with her mother for the past few years. She has toured as part of Northern Harmony and will join forces with Kenny Shimizu to teach at Village Harmony's summer camp session for teens. Emily is also a fine traditional dance fiddler.

Owen Morrison has been coming to Family Week at Pinewoods since before he was born. Since then, he has developed a great deal of skill on the guitar, mandolin and banjo and has been on staff at Pinewoods and CCDS in Berea, KY. He currently plays with three dance bands and a bluegrass band. Owen has also recorded one album with his first contra group, the Morrison Brothers Band.

Naomi Morse is a biology major at Oberlin College. She grew up dancing, singing and playing violin at Family Week. She currently plays fiddle in a contra dance band and in the past few years has played for many dances in New England.

Charlie Pilzer plays bass, piano, accordion (and occasionally tuba) for dances and concerts all around the country. In addition to touring with the Scandinavian band, Spaelimenninir, he is a musician at home for the Foggy Bottom Morris Men, performs with Washington Revels and works in the recording industry.

Cecily Pilzer is a children's librarian in Washington, DC, a member of Rock Creek Morris Women and a former member of Shepherdstown Northwest Clog Morris. She is the designer of the children's costumes for Washington Revels.

Laura Robertson began dancing as a teenager in New York and New England. She went on from contra to Morris, rapper and Appalachian clogging, as well as step dancing of various traditions over the past 30 years. She currently performs Appalachian as a member of Pedantics and is foreman for both Charm City Rapper and the Stepsisters, an English/American/Irish percussive team.

Robbin Schaffer is a well-known caller of contras, squares and community dances in the mid-Atlantic region. Recognized for her choices of smooth, flowing dances and clear teaching style, she is much in demand by beginning and experienced dancers alike. Robbin teaches elementary school music in Baltimore, MD.

Ken Shimizu is a student at Warren-Wilson college in Swannanoa, NC. Ken received most of his musical training touring with the choral groups Village Harmony and Northern Harmony. This is Ken's second year teaching at the Village Harmony teen session and his first at Pinewoods Family Camp.

Bill Wellington is a Virginia-based caller, musician and widely acclaimed children's performer and recording artist. Springing from roots in both New England and West Virginian dance and music traditions, Bill's lively calling and zany musical style are all his own! His tales are one-of-a-kind renderings of traditional stories, as well as fantastic fruits of his own imagination.

Family Week at Pinewoods Daily Schedule click for tentative Detailed Daily Schedule
7:45 - 8:15	Breakfast
9:00 - 9:55	Morning classes, divided by age group
10:00	Refreshments
10:15 - 11:00	Morning Gathering
11:00 - 12:00	Swimming Rapper (13 and up)
12:15	Lunch
1:30 - 2:30	Early afternoon classes, mixed ages/Rest time
2:45 - 3:45	Afternoon classes, divided by age group
4:00 - 5:00	Swimming
4:45 - 5:15	Community Singing and Stories
6:00	Dinner
7:00	Community Dance
7:50 - 8:45	Evening Gathering
8:30	Pied Piper/bedtime for children 9 and younger
8:45 - 10:45	Evening Dance Party
9:30	Bedtime for 10-12 year olds
11:00 - 12:00	Optional After-dance Activities

Class Descriptions: [Back to Top]
Children's classes by age group -- 9:00 and 2:45

Ages 2 and 3
Childcare will be provided by Meredith. Children might bring a favorite book and a toy to share with others.

Ages 4 and 5
The mornings will be spent with Anne in a variety of activities: singing games, stories and much more. Enjoy afternoons of creative musical exploration with Valerie, singing, playing, moving and creating!

Ages 6 and 7
Mornings with Valerie will offer lots of singing, dancing, singing games and instrument exploration. This class will learn some "music stories" (books that have songs) with Robbin in the afternoon. "We will create a music drama that involves crafts as well as costumes," says Robbin.

Ages 8 and 9
The 8 and 9s will learn a Longsword dance from Andy in the morning. They will also learn a Maypole dance for the end of the week. In the afternoon, the class will go on a Pinewoods Adventure with Robin Hayden who says "We will explore the Pinewoods environment in an active, engaged way and record our discoveries though drawings, writing, collecting and identifying, list-making and photography. At the end of the week each child will have a unique, beautiful and thoughtful record of his/her week at Pinewoods."

Ages 10 to 12
Each morning, Bill will lead this class in the presentation of a (more or less) traditional Appalachian folk tale. Of course, with Bill, one never knows quite what to expect! In the afternoon, explore American and English country dance with Mary, Dave and Elvie in a class of country dance FUNdamentals. Mary says, "We'll cover basic dance movement and steps, pay attention to how the musicians help our dancing and learn dance figures -- all while doing great dances. You'll also learn the first dance for each evenings' program in advance!"

Ages 13 and up -- MORNING CLASSES (9:00-9:55)

English Treats -- Mary Devlin/Dave Langford, Lynne Mackey
We'll pay attention to timing, flow, interaction and the music -- while enjoying some of the best English country dances both old and new.

Appalachian Clog -- Laura Robertson/Emily Miller, Owen Morrison
This class will concentrate on basics, listening/relaxing into the music and using your feet as rhythmic instruments/drums to punctuate and complement the music. For all levels of ability.

Late Morning Class (11:00-12:00)

Rapper Dance (13 and up) -- Laura Robertson/Naomi Morse
Rapper dancing involves fast-paced close-knit sword dancing. The rapper class will learn a routine while developing our teamwork.

Ages 13 and up -- AFTERNOON CLASSES (2:45-3:45)

Contras and Squares -- Bill Wellington/Naomi Morse, Emily Miller, Owen Morrison
Northern squares, Southern squares and a few running sets will be offered in this class to the eclectic music of Naomi, Emily and Owen. Each day, Bill will spend a few minutes on one common dance figure so that campers will learn the nuances that make social dancing a truly sublime experience for all.

English Waltz Clog -- Laura Robertson/Andy Davis
This class will learn a waltz clog geared for dancers new to the style. For those with experience: there are advanced variations!

EARLY AFTERNOON CLASSES (1:30-2:30)

Crafts (4 and up) -- Cecily Pilzer
Cecily provides a large variety of craft supplies; you provide the creative ideas. Campers under 8 should bring a parent with them.

Adventures with Natural Fiber: Weaving (8 and up) -- Elvie Miller
Use natural fibers of all kinds and explore various simple weaving techniques to make bags, belts and wall hangings.

Mummers Play (8-12) -- Anne Goodwin
Anne will direct a troupe in the creation of a traditional Mummer's play.

Dance Band (10 and up) -- Dave Langford
Have fun exploring the myriad aspects of ensemble playing for dancers. Open to all levels of musicianship.

Ukrainian Egg Dying (10 and up) -- Robin Davis
Robin will teach the art of creating an intricately dyed Ukrainian egg.

Basic Dance Steps (13 and up) -- Robin Hayden/Andy Davis, Robbin Schaffer
Here's your chance to learn those steps you have always wanted to do. We'll start with the basics -- skipping, step hop, double step, pivot -- and progress to polka, schottische, Norwegian polka, waltzing and ranting.

Harmony Singing (13 and up) -- Ken Shimizu
A class for singers of all abilities. Ken encourages the teens to attend!

Before Dinner (4:45-5:15)

Songs and Stories -- Bill Wellington
Bill leads a session of songs and stories on the porch of the camphouse. All campers are encouraged to bring their favorite songs to share.

Program Description Staff Class Descriptions & Schedule Top

413-268-7426 FAX: 413-268-7471

Country Dance and Song Society 132 Main St/PO Box 338 Haydenville, MA 01039-0338 Office Hours M-F 9:30am - 5:00pm EST

http://www.cdss.org/