Country Dance and Song Society Family Week 1 at Ogontz July 24 - 31, 2004

As of August 1, This week is over.

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Program Description Staff Class Descriptions & Schedule

Family Week 1 at Ogontz July 24 - 31, 2004 Program Director: Merle Davis Staff: Frank Boyd David Cantieni Donald Davis Daron Douglas Anne Goodwin Becky Graber Dave Langford Bobbi Markert David Millstone Ann Percival Dave Tweedie Bob Walser Dave Wiesler Julie Young Advisors: Mary Alice Amidon Peter Amidon Alyssa Browne Andy Davis Robin Davis Brad Foster Nancy Parr Robin Rogers-Browne

Program Description: [Back to Top]

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

Last year someone said, "If only the rest of the world could see a little bit of this week, surely all people and places would be better." What hope lies therein. What true words.

The Family Week 1 at Ogontz again promises celebration and festivity. It features world-wide reaches into dance, music and story traditions. It offers perfect natural and rustic settings for play, performance and friendships among families, among peers and among teachers and learners together.

Staff members of Family Week 1 include several fresh new talents coming to Ogontz as well as veterans who assure familiarity with the fragrant pine woods, the glorious mountain views and the grassy open lawns and hillsides. With so many of both new and returning staff having the name "David," we shouldn't have trouble learning names!

We will create an awareness of worlds of traditions and cultures in country dance and music. We will also bring into focus the broadness and variety of the more familiar American (think all North American!) dances alongside English country dance and dances from European and even more far-flung cultures. This week will give opportunities to absorb, study and understand "dance languages " from many sources. What a melting pot we'll have at Ogontz.

Twice a day classes are organized by age group. Twice a day there are classes for multi-ages. Morning and evening gatherings bring all ages together with music and dance from campers and staff alike. Afternoon storytime just before dinner will give a unique and unifying way to meet stories and to prompt more.

At Ogontz, think color, wonder, festivity and joyous class achievements when you look towards Friday's parade and celebration. Think refreshment when you read about swimming in Ogontz's spring-fed lake. Think amazement when you anticipate the echos of camp singing and instruments returning from the mountains that ring Ogontz. Think awe when you look up to all those stars. Think laughter when you imagine the costume barn's bounty and the grassy play places. Think welcome when you hear about the generations of the Kent family, camp owners and hosts. And, think warmth when you consider the big campfire, the good food, sunshine and shade, the Summer Barn -- and the people, always, always the people. See Ogontz for more description.

Staff: [Back to Top]

Frank Boyd -- For more than twenty years Frank has been teaching woodcarving. Frank brings skill, care and imagination to his work while teaching students to notice and trust what they see in the wood. He will also assist in a variety of other projects.

David Cantieni -- Clever and amazing are this David's talents, with so many instruments and so much style. David can even coax the bombard to bring forth sweet sound!

Donald Davis -- He's the master. His stories tickle us and touch us. Donald brings imagination and cohesiveness to the Ogontz camp experience.

Merle Davis -- An active arts organizer and administrator, Merle believes that the CDSS Camp Ogontz summer weeks have been some of her best weeks ever. She is also a former teacher of kindergarten (and other age groups).

Daron Douglas -- First, Daron's fiddling skills amaze us. Then, her ballads and Appalachian heritage wrap us in her spell. And all along the way, Daron's heart and humor bring us together.

Anne Goodwin -- Anne's creation of the Folktale Theatre and A-Play-A-Day are creative and literature-based theatrics that bring the kids great joy and their parents great awe.

Becky Graber -- Speak the word "singing" in Vermont and many people say back "Becky." Working and teaching with all ages, various groupings and harmonies in their many possibilities, Becky plays and sings her way through every season.

Dave Langford -- Oh, the music his fiddle can sing forth! With much experience at family camps and in organizing strong musical accompaniment, Dave brings his expertise and his dear humor to win us over.

Bobbi Markert -- How do you make a book you will want to keep forever? With beautiful papers, new skills and technical ingenuity, Bobbi helps her book-makers design a keepsake.

David Millstone -- A man with vision and curiosity, David brings his research and stories to dance among his teaching skills. What a treat to dance with David's fine-tuned coaching and proficiency leading us into expanded dance language.

Ann Percival -- Amazing woman! Ann has music in every cell and love of genuine fun times and true celebration in every breath! She is an "everything person." We are glad she is going to be here in heart and soul.

Dave Tweedie -- Brand new to CDSS camps is fiddler Dave from Ocracoke Island, NC. This David can concoct a zany cabaret and pull your heartstrings with his songwriting. Ever heard of anyone juggling ice cream?

Bob Walser -- Bob is ready to introduce us to some of the unique dance traditions in the world -- and then to land us back in the span of the Americas to explore our continent's best dances. A true musician and caller in many genres, Bob brings fresh and exciting new joy!

Dave Wiesler -- Ask him about his springtime tour of Scotland. Talk to him about playing the piano coast to coast and back again. Dave's keyboard success is a buzzword in the dance world -- and now he's coming to Ogontz.

Julie Young -- Julie wants you to tap your toes -- and your heels! Her expertise in clogging and other percussive dance as well as in her musical abilities and dance calling have made Julie a well-known teacher and respected educator. We can't wait to see -- and HEAR -- the week's beautiful rhythms.

Family Week 1 at Ogontz Daily Schedule click for tentative Detailed Daily Schedule
7:45 - 8:30	Breakfast
9:00 - 9:55	Morning classes, divided by age group
10:00	Refreshments
10:15 - 11:00	Morning Gathering
11:00 - 12:15	Swimming, Bookstore Staffed
12:15	Lunch
1:00 - 1:30	Bookstore Staffed
1:30 - 2:25	Early afternoon classes/Rest time
2:35 - 3:30	Afternoon classes, divided by age group
3:30	Refreshments
3:40 - 4:40	Swimming Late afternoon classes
4:55 - 5:30	Afternoon story on the lawn
5:50	Dinner
7:15	Community Dance
7:45 - 8:30	Evening Gathering
8:15	Pied Piper/bedtime for children 9 and younger
8:15 - 8:30	After-Glow
8:30 - 10:45	Evening Dance Party
9:30	Bedtime for 10-12 year olds

Class Descriptions: [Back to Top]
Children's classes by age group -- 9:00 and 2:35

Ages 2 and 3
Time for little people to play and make things, sing, catch some rhythms, dance and move. Bobbi Markert and Merle Davis team up to provide good care and smiles and activities.

Ages 4 and 5
Frank Boyd in the morning and Becky Graber in the afternoon! With songs and musical games, with stories and so much fun awaiting; be ready for big adventures.

Ages 6 and 7
Anne Goodwin brings her unique Folktale Theatre in the morning. Julie Young will open their afternoon classes to a big, big world of music, movement and culture.

Ages 8 and 9
Imagine having a dance teacher as capable and an enjoyable as David Millstone to start the day -- what lucky kids! Dave Tweedie will accompany David's calling. Afternoon class will be Storymaking with Donald Davis. Again, what lucky kids!

Ages 10 to 12
The tricks up the sleeves of Ann Percival and David Cantieni are so many and so amazing; better get set to be surprised! Whether it's crafts or dancing or theatrics, this morning class will be sooo much fun! In the afternoon Bob Walser will just ditto the good times with a world of dance possibilities.

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

The American Community Dance Tradition -- Bob Walser / Becky Graber and Daron Douglas

Clickety Clack! Clogging and Percussive Dance -- Julie Young / Dave Wiesler

Ages 13 and up -- AFTERNOON CLASSES (2:35 - 3:30)

English (Dance) as a Second Language -- David Millstone / David Wiesler and Daron Douglas

One for the Money, Two for the . . . Couple Dances -- Ann Percival and David Cantieni / Dave Langford
Possibilities range from swing to hambo.

EARLY AFTERNOON CLASSES (1:30 - 2:25)

Napping and reading are highly respected

Juggling and Adventure (All ages) -- Dave Tweedie

Woodcarving (8 and up with parent) -- Frank Boyd

Slow Jam (10 and up) -- Dave Langford

Harmony Singing (10 and up) -- Becky Graber

LATE AFTERNOON CLASSES (3:40 - 4:40)

Family Dance Band (all ages) -- David Cantieni, Dave Wiesler

Mummer's Play (all ages) -- Anne Goodwin and Dave Tweedie

Handmade Books (8 and up with parent) -- Bobbi Markert

Family Storytelling: What's it all about? (10 and up with parent) -- Donald Davis

Instrument Workshops -- various ages and skill levels to be offered
Several of the musicians coming to Ogontz Family Week are willing to share their expertise in small groups and at times to be scheduled after arrival at camp. Fiddling workshops, piano workshops, guitar and pennywhistle workshops have been offered. What opportunity!

AT THE GREEN CHAIRS (4:55 - 5:30)
To settle for stories before the evening meal has become an Ogontz tradition. Ah, those green Adirondack chairs -- what good stories they have heard and hold still!

Program Description Class Descriptions Staff & 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/