Country Dance and Song Society English & American Dance Week at Buffalo Gap July 9 - 16, 2005

As of August 1, this week is completed

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Program Description Staff Class Descriptions & Schedule

English & American Dance Week at Buffalo Gap July 9 - 16, 2005 Program Director: Mary Lea Staff: Sam Amidon Karen Axelrod David Cantieni Helene Cornelius Jan Elliott Ralph Gordon Kappy Laning Elvie Miller Beth Molaro Naomi Morse Jim Oakden Ann Percival * Joseph Pimentel Mark Roberts Fred Todt * Advisor, plus: Lisa Greenleaf Brad Foster

Program Description: [Back to Top]

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

Set in the green hills of West Virginia, Buffalo Gap is a special place of open space and vistas, with a lovely outdoor pavilion, screened cabins set at the wood's edge, and large spring-fed, refreshing pond. It is a wonderful environment to enjoy a rich program of dance and music, visit with old friends and make new ones, swim, take woods walks and just rest. It is a place that can foster a great sense of community and allow for spontaneous parties and playful events.

This summer's dance week features English country, New England and square dancing, three ritual classes, a variety of music classes and a special art class. Helene Cornelius, the grand dame of English country dancing, Joseph Pimentel, a great community-minded spirit and caller and Beth Molaro, a caller of wonderful energy and enthusiasm, will lead the dancing and impart their special knowledge. Jan Elliott, in her bright and engaging way, will lead two ritual classes. Due to an enthusiastic response to her class last year, Kappy Laning will teach rapper again this year. More music classes than usual will be offered: fiddling with youthful and talented Sam Amidon, Irish whistle and flute with expert Mark Roberts, band class with David Cantieni and Karen Axelrod, allowing for both contra and English music, and two singing classes: shape note with Fred Todt and songs from different traditions with Ann Percival. Ann will also lead an art class in the afternoon that will ultimately transform Buffalo Gap by weeks end.

Playing for the classes are a mix of veteran (read, older) and younger musicians, who hail from both coasts and have vast experience on the dance floor as well as in the band shell. Fiddlers Sam Amidon, Mary Lea and Naomi Morse, wind and/or fretted instruments players David Cantieni, Jim Oakden and Mark Roberts, pianists Karen Axelrod and Elvie Miller and cellist/bassist Ralph Gordon are the musicians who will grace the stage. Many play myriad instruments, which fact allows for great musical diversity in ensemble and sound for the evening parties. Don't be surprised to hear three bombardes at one time!

There will be time throughout the day to gather together, whether before lunch at the more "formal" gathering, or informally at the sauna or beach front, as well as time to relax, read, nap, or explore the lovely environs. Each evening from 8-11 there will be a dance followed by snacks, jamming, a one-time skit night, one-time auction and other parties revelers are willing to cook up. The week will end with class presentations and an afternoon social.

We look forward to a joyful week in the company of newcomers and veterans of Buffalo Gap alike. It can be a great time for you to dance and play and find your creative muse. Come join us! -- Mary Lea, Program Director

Staff: [Back to Top]

Sam Amidon, fiddler extraordinaire, has performed with his Vermont-based family all his life. Living now in NYC, even as he completes senior year at Sarah Lawrence College, he performs with the avant-folk group Assembly, Childsplay and the indie rock band Doveman, in which Sam plays banjo and guitar. He made his film debut as star of the independent film, American Wake, for which Assembly (in part) composed and performed the music. Sam enjoys a lot of things in the world: playing basketball, watching movies, drawing comics, listening to music of all sorts -- and talking!

Karen Axelrod plays piano for English, American and Scottish dance and has been on staff at numerous dance events around the country, including CDSS camps, Monte Toyon and Berea. Highly regarded for her creative and rich piano accompaniment, Karen also plays accordion for Orion Longsword. When not playing music, she performs with the improv comedy troupe, the Villa Jidiots, and makes jewelry.

David Cantieni, primarily an Irish-style wooden flute player, switched from playing classical music on the oboe more than 20 years ago to playing for contra dances with the nationally and internationally-known bands, Swallowtail and Wild Asparagus. Passionate about dance and music, David plays myriad wind instruments and is the consummate ensemble player, who adds the special timbre or rhythmic accent that raises the excitement bar on the dance floor. At home he may be found rebuilding his recalcitrant tractor or working on the new wing of the house.

Helene Cornelius, dance leader since 1963, is renowned for her broad knowledge of 20th-century English country dancing and its evolution over the years. She has continuously led in the search for and presentation of new material, and with her wonderful, understated wit and concise teaching conveys her styling points, which she cares about passionately. She sings in a chorus and loves making bread.

Jan Elliott has been dancing, teaching and playing for English ritual dance for over 25 years. She has performed with morris and sword teams in New England, California, Ontario and Oxfordshire, and is currently foreman of the Martha's Vineyard Swordfish. English clog is a more recent specialization. She is known for her patient teaching, attention to detail and dedication to the enjoyment of good dancing. She lives on beautiful Cape Cod, where she teaches recorder and performs with a variety of folk and early music groups.

Ralph Gordon, playing both cello and bass, has rhythm, tone, knowledge of and experience with many musical styles. He is one of the best all-around bass players in the dance world, has worked with many bands over the years, and has about 50 recordings to his credit. He has graced many a concert stage, dance camp and festival here and abroad. He brings hard work and artistry to his craft, whether it be music or remodeling his house, his current undertaking.

Kappy Laning, our CDSS at BG Camp Director, dances with Charm City Rapper and was one of the original members of Frayed Knot Rapper. She has taught rapper at Buffalo Gap, Terpsichore and Florida Rhapsody and for the Footworks teens.

Mary Lea has been playing violin and viola for many styles of dance for 25 years. Known for her tone and expressiveness, Mary's playing adds warmth and harmonic richness to any ensemble. She plays with Bare Necessities, Yankee Ingenuity and other groups and has performed at many dance camps and festivals here and abroad. Other interests include bird watching and learning languages.

Elvie Miller grew up in New Hampshire, surrounded by folk music and dance. Class of 2005 at Oberlin College, she has already developed a strong reputation as a lively and accomplished dance pianist and accordionist, performing and teaching across the country with Mountain Road and her father, fiddler Rodney Miller. As part of her Environmental Studies major at Oberlin, Elvie has recently spent time in Tanzania and Cyprus, and weaves professionally in her spare time.

Beth Molaro, who lives in Asheville, NC with her daughter Rebecca Grace, has called hundreds of dances from coast to coast and is in demand as caller and teacher for community dances large and small, for dance weekends and folk festivals. Known for her quick, no-nonsense walkthroughs, effective teaching and enthusiasm, Beth calls high-energy, turbo-charged squares and smooth flowing contras. Beth is also a skilled and exuberant foot percussionist in the Appalacian flat-foot style.

Naomi Morse, a native of Marlboro, VT, has been ensconced in the folk music and dance community from an early age. Graduating from Oberlin College in 2003, she earned a reputation as an energetic and driving fiddler in contra and English country dance communities across the country. Naomi had her debut with the "mega-fiddle-band" Childsplay in 2004 and has also toured with the choral group, Northern Harmony. Passionate about large animals and small children, she also knits and sings like an angel.

Jim Oakden started playing piano and clarinet at an early age and went to college with aspirations of becoming a professional musician. Reality struck, and he became a marine biologist instead (now in Santa Cruz, CA). His musical odyssey includes six years performing early music, then a plunge into the world of traditional music and dance. Very diverse tastes (or perhaps just a short attention span) led him to the wide variety of styles and absurd number of instruments on which he now performs. Being a dancer himself, he specializes in playing for dancers in a bunch of bands for contra, ECD, morris, Irish, Breton/French, Greek, Bulgarian... and has been on staff at myriad dance camps throughout the country.

Ann Percival, musician, erstwhile social worker and artist, grew up dancing. A founding member of Wild Asparagus, along with David, Ann has a deep knowledge of dancing that has made her an exceptional dance musician. Her piano and guitar playing creates drama and great musical interest while supporting the dancers. Forever an artist and teacher of great creativity, she has in recent years found special enjoyment and passion teaching visual arts and crafts.

Joseph Pimentel's calling combines cool dances, clear teaching, youthful perspective and respect for tradition. Dancing since high school in New England, he draws on many years of experience teaching English country dance, contras and squares throughout the U.S. and abroad. Several of Joseph's own dances are avid travelers, too, and have been recently published in The Cardinal Collection. When not calling or dancing, Joseph is often chasing after birds or Ohio barns.

Mark Roberts has been playing traditional music for almost 30 years. He has recorded and toured extensively, playing 5 string banjo, flute and guitar as well as other instruments. Bands in his past include: Touchstone, The Red Clay Ramblers, The Sevens, The Clayfoot Strutters and Childsplay. His flute and whistle playing is on the soundtrack of the Jon Sayles film The Secret of Roan Inish. Mark loves to read and talk about books.

Fred Todt is a song and dance leader from Columbus, OH, where he grew up in a dancing family, frequently attending Berea Christmas Country Dance School, where he first encountered shape note music. He now leads singing workshops at dance events throughout the Midwest and beyond. His comfortable confidence, strong voice and gentle guidance inspire experienced and reluctant singers alike to raise their voices in boisterous and joyful song.

English & American Dance Week at Buffalo Gap Tentative Schedule:
7:45 - 8:30 Breakfast
9:00 - 10:00
English for All: New Compositions	Helene Cornelius
Contras / Squares: Dance a Mile	Beth Molaro
Rapper	Kappy Laning
10:15 - 11:15
Advanced English	Helene Cornelius
English as a Second Language	Joseph Pimentel
Fiddle	Sam Amidon
Flute and Whistle	Mark Roberts
11:30 - 12:00
Camp Gathering
12:00 - 12:40 Swimming, Bookstore staffed
12:40 Lunch
1:45 - 2:45
Extra-Ordinary Contras	Joseph Pimentel
Beginning Waltz Clog	Jan Elliott
Singing	Ann Percival
Callers Class	Beth Molaro
3:00 - 4:00
Red Hot Squares	Beth Molaro
Band Class	David Cantieni, Karen Axelrod
Longsword	Jan Elliott
Shape Note Singing	Fred Todt
4:15 - 5:15
English Style: The Music Will Tell You	Joseph Pimentel
Art in the Afternoon	Ann Percival
5:15 - 6:30 Swimming, Bookstore staffed
6:30 Dinner
8:00
Evening Dance Party
11:00
After-dance refreshments Camper initiated late-night activities/parties

Class Descriptions: [Back to Top]

Dance:

English for All: New Compositions -- Helene Cornelius / Mary Lea, Karen Axelrod, Ralph Gordon
Helene will select from her favorite recently choreographed compositions a variety of dances that range in difficulty and form. This is a class open to dancers of all levels.

Advanced English -- Helene Cornelius / Mary Lea, Jim Oakden, Karen Axelrod
Helene will teach a variety of dances for dancers who are very familiar with basic English country dance movement and style and who like challenges.

English as a Second Language -- Joseph Pimentel / Naomi Morse, David Cantieni, Elvie Miller
For dancers who already love contra dancing, but aren't yet English fans. Having come from just that place, Joseph draws generously from the joys of contras while skillfully introducing the secrets that make English so exciting. Forget stuffy and boring -- these dances are driving, flirty and full of cool connections with partners, neighbors and others. For those with some contra dance experience and those who already love English are welcome, too!

Extra-Ordinary Contras -- Joseph Pimentel / Mary Lea, Mark Roberts, Ralph Gordon, Jim Oakden
These challenging contras will thrill the most experienced contra dancer with wild geography, surprising figures, tricky transitions, crooked tunes, and new time signatures and no-walkthrough dances will fill in when brains just can't stand any more boggling.

English Style: The Music Will Tell You -- Joseph Pimentel / Naomi Morse, Jim Oakden, Elvie Miller
"The music will tell you," but only if you know how to listen. Some dance tunes direct dancers in no uncertain terms; others allow for some meandering, and still others seem to intentionally lead us astray. Knowing how to hear a tune's secrets makes for more satisfying dancing. Attentiveness to other dancers provides additional satisfaction. Ever wondered how the Rockettes achieve that sense of being a single organism? And how cool that must feel? In an attempt to feel that "Rockette rush" in English country dance, Joseph will look at dances that emphasize the group experience.

Contras / Squares: Dance a Mile in Your Partner's Shoes -- Beth Molaro / Sam Amidon, David Cantieni, Ann Percival
What makes a dancer a good dancer? Through a series of fun exercises and carefully chosen dances, this class will focus on advancing dance skills for dancing both contras and squares. We will work on building set awareness, dancing as a team with the whole set, moving with the music, timing matters, refining the way we dance each figure, being better partners, getting a beginner through a dance without making them feel intimidated or patronized, and much more. Expect lots of dancing.

Red Hot Squares -- Beth Molaro / Sam Amidon, Mark Roberts, Ralph Gordon
Dancers who think that they don't like squares are often surprised by Beth's high-energy repertoire of dances. She will change the mind of even the most diehard contra dancer. This class will focus on souping-up your square dance experience by connecting to the music, understanding the structure of the dance, learning the figures and terminology to enable some no-walkthrough squares, getting a feel for the history of square dancing and of course, lots of dancing.

Callers Class -- Beth Molaro
This class on teaching and calling contras and squares is aimed at supporting callers of all levels of experience in building and improving their skills and experimenting with new ideas. It will provide ample opportunity for practice as well as serve as a forum for discussion of such topics as effective teaching and walkthroughs, the vocal skills required for clear calling, planning dance programs, collecting dances, being a dance leader and much more.

Rapper -- Kappy Laning / Jan Elliott
Kappy will facilitate a rapper class for those with prior rapper experience. The focus will be to take a traditional rapper dance and refine and expand it to create an exciting performance all our own.

Beginning Waltz Clog -- Jan Elliott / Naomi Morse
This class is open to all. Beginners will learn the basics of carriage and stepping, experiencing English clog as both dance movement and musical percussion. Each step will be dissected and its individual components practiced for fluidity and comfort. More experienced dancers may be given extra material to work on. Bring wooden dancing clogs or sturdy leather-soled shoes.

Longsword -- Jan Elliott / Elvie Miller
Jan will teach selected figures from Helmsley, a lively dance currently performed by the Vineyard Swordfish. Open to all, this class will focus on teamwork, sword handling and the dance's characteristic "drop-step" movement. Figures vary in difficulty, so the selection may be expanded as desired.

Music and Art:

Band Class -- David Cantieni, Karen Axelrod
The main thrust of this class will be to work on ensemble playing by taking relatively easy tunes in the contra and English country dance repertoire and exploring how to enhance rhythm, harmony and musical interest. Time will be given to discussing how to rehearse and how to deal with band issues and work together. Some music will be sent ahead of time to interested participants.

Shape Note Singing -- Fred Todt
Shape note is a style of singing with roots in Revolutionary War-era New England that spread down the Appalachians during the 19th century and flourished in the rural South. Assigning shapes to notes has survived as an effective way to teach sight-singing to singers of all musical abilities. We'll sing from The Sacred Harp with its haunting and powerful harmonies and poetry.

Flute and Whistle -- Mark Roberts
This class will focus on traditional Irish technique for flute and whistle for beginning to advanced players. We'll cover ornamentation, phrasing and repertoire. A recording device is highly recommended for participants.

Singing -- Ann Percival
Under Ann's dynamic direction, singers will explore gospel, folk, South African and swing music including unison and harmony singing, reading a choral piece and creating harmonies. For singers itching to sing a solo swing song and have the rest of the class do back-up, this is the class!

Fiddle -- Sam Amidon
Sam will teach primarily Irish tunes that work for contra dances. This is a class for people who already play the violin -- or other appropriate melody instruments -- and want to learn some new repertoire and styling aspects. A tape recorder will be useful.

Art in the Afternoon -- Ann Percival
Exploring a different medium each afternoon, from masks and simple bookbinding to beautiful tissue paper lanterns that will light up Buffalo Gap. We'll transform the beach house porch into a community art center! Come relax and create art with us!

Program Description Staff Class Descriptions & Schedule Top

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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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