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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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American Dance & Music Week at Pinewoods July 23 - 30, 2005 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 Week 2005 will bring together some of the finest callers and musicians in North America, with music, dance, song and calling workshops dedicated to traditions not just from New England and Appalachia, but from Quebec, New Mexico, Colorado and even France!
Musicians can sample from a banquet table of musical styles: Appalachian, New England, French, Irish, Québécois and Bluegrass. The Percolators -- Joe Fallon, CW Abbott, Larry Edelman, Joe Herrmann and David Cahn -- are the featured Southern band, but these multi-instrumentalists know no national musical boundaries, drawing from a diverse repertoire of tunes from throughout North America. Their first CD, Alive in Prague! was just released early in 2005. Rachel Aucoin, Sabin Jacques and Claudine Arcand, three of Quebec's finest musicians, will play for step-dancing and Quebec social dances, the evening dances and will host the late afternoon Cinq à Sept gathering. For contras and couple dance music, we've assembled some of the most versatile and esteemed instrumentalists in the U.S.: Rodney Miller on fiddle, David Surette on guitar and mandolin, Jeremiah McLane on piano and accordion and Russ Barenberg on guitar and mandolin. Don't miss out on joining one (or more) of the band workshops. A limited number of private lessons will be an option for musicians wanting some one-on-one time with them.
Kathy Anderson will lead the Square Dance Callers Course (pre-registration required). Seize the opportunity to pick up tips and get hands-on practice with one of the nation's most dynamic callers. Kathy will also offer a square dance class to challenge the mind and the body and will leave everyone a more skilled dancer as together you'll unlock the secrets of satisfying set dancing. Program Director, Susan Kevra, brings more than a decade of calling experience to her two dance classes, one entirely devote to contras, and another, a mix of set dances from squares to circles to contras and everything in between. Jean-François Berthiaume, a caller at the vanguard of traditional dance in Quebec, will teach Quebec social dances, including some of his own innovative creations. He will also teach a Québécois step-dancing class, for both new and experienced step-dancers, all delivered with a certain je ne sais quoi. As an added bonus, enjoy the rare opportunity to dance to Larry Edelman's calling at an evening dance or let him introduce you to unique couple and set dances from the U.S. Southwest.
For singers, Susie Burke and Joe Herrmann will offer singing classes where you can learn new material, share songs you love and learn pointers. And Susan Kevra will be the resident chansonnière at Cinq à Sept, with easy and beautiful French songs.
The final period of the day will allow campers to lead workshops, practice calling or jam. Or you can finish off your day with couple dances that span the globe, with one day dedicated to French dances, both couple dances and bourrées. There will also be plenty of time to request couple dances from the band.
Built into the schedule are activities with a focus on fun and community with a daily round-up, led by Larry Edelman and featuring concerts and amusement by the staff. Cinq à Sept, a Québécois tradition, will be an informal gathering headed up by our neighbors from the north, with songs, jams, step-dancing and late afternoon merriment.
Come dance, play, call and sing with us. It's going to be a wonderful week, especially if you're there. -- Susan Kevra, Program Director.
Kathy Anderson has been playing old-time music for years, and calling since 1982, with squares a specialty. She incorporates good flow, unusual figures and quick clear teaching into her style. Kathy's calling is a nexus connecting the music, rhythm and the dancers' energy! She is equally at home at local dances and weekends and international events.
Claudine Arcand was drawn to traditional music as a young teen. Having first studied classical violin, she went on in 1992 to become a student of Sabin Jacques to learn Québécois repertoire and style. She has also studied with Richard Forest (Domino), Benoît Bourque (Matapat, Vent du Nord) and Mario Loiselle (Bardi-Barda). Since 1997, she has been a member of many Québécois bands such as Les Grondeuses, Réveillons and La Part du Quêteux.
Rachel Aucoin is much appreciated for her percussive, colorful, yet sensitive style. Her playing is influenced by her strong classical piano background and a love for traditions perpetuated by an Acadian family. Laura Risk, Domino, Francine Desjardins, Jean Duval and Michèle Choinière are a few of the artists she has recorded with, but most of all, she has played at many festivals in the U.S. and abroad, especially as a Québécois dance pianist and is a sought after teacher, appreciated for her charm and clarity.
Russ Barenberg of Nashville, TN is one of America's best acoustic guitarists and composers. He has been featured on dozens of top country, folk and bluegrass albums -- with Maura O'Connell, Randy Travis, Jerry Douglas, Allison Krauss, Edgar Meyer and Mark O'Connor, to name a few -- and his distinctive playing with Fiddle Fever appeared on the soundtrack for the PBS series, The Civil War. Part of the Boston contradance scene in the early 1980s, he frequently played dances with Rodney Miller and played guitar and mandolin on Rodney's seminal recording, Airplang. Russ's original solo recordings for Rounder Records blend bluegrass and dance music with Irish, Caribbean and jazz influences.
Jean-François Berthiaume comes to us with a wealth of interests and talents. His creative instincts have lead him to teach dance (step-dancing and set dancing) for several dance troupes and at public dances in Quebec and other parts of Canada, as well as the U.S. and Europe. He is a professional caller for numerous festivals and a percussionist for a number of groups, including Reveillons! and Galant, tu perds ton temps. Valued for his choice of interesting, high energy dances, a very good command of English and a delightful sense of humor, he is a favorite amongst American dancers. We are pleased to welcome him to Pinewoods for the first time.
Susie Burke is an exceptional singer with musical tastes and influences encompassing contemporary and traditional folk, swing, country, topical songs and a capella singing. Along with husband, David Surette, they have made a name for themselves as one of the finest acts on the lively New England folk scene with their blend of contemporary, traditional and original folk and acoustic music.
Sabin Jacques, considered one of the foremost Québécois accordionists, has been playing since age 14, and left handed, at that! His unmatched playing -- exuberant, playful and at times haunting -- has been heard all over the world, at numerous festivals, as well as on many recordings such as Domino (I and II), Les pieds qui parlent , Edith Butler's à l'année longue and ça swigne! and Hommage à Alfred Montmarquette .
Susan Kevra began calling in New England in the early 90s and quickly became known for her warmth, clear teaching and diverse repertoire of singing squares, Western patter calls, contras and English country dances. In 2000-2001, Susan lived in France where she toured throughout Western Europe calling dances, many en français, introducing eager French dancers to American dance and song. In 2000, she teamed up with Mary Cay Brass to record the CD, Full Swing for which Susan penned extensive liner notes on the history and evolution of contra dancing.
Jeremiah McLane, accordionist/pianist, was born and raised in Hanover, NH, and has taught and performed throughout the U.S., Canada and Europe. He has released seven CDs, and his second solo recording, Smile When You're Ready, was nominated by National Public Radio in their "favorite picks" of 1996. His most recent release, Hummingbird, received the French music magazine Trad Mag BRAVO award for 2003. Jeremiah plays with the Clayfoot Strutters, Big Table, Nightingale and Le Bon Vent.
Rodney Miller was designated a "Master Fiddler" by the National Endowment for the Arts in 1983. He is widely considered to be the foremost exponent of New England-style fiddling. Over the past 30 years, he has toured all over the world and recorded over ten fiddle albums. Rodney is a master violin-maker in Amherst, MA.
David Surette is highly regarded throughout New England and beyond for his work on the mandolin, guitar (both flatpick and fingerstyle) and bouzouki. A top-notch accompanist in New England's contra dance and Celtic music circles, he is also in demand as a studio musician and sideman. He plays regularly and has recorded with Susie Burke, Rodney Miller and Airdance and as a soloist. His repertoire includes traditional American roots music, Celtic and contra tunes, original compositions, bluegrass, blues and ragtime and folk music. He is also an experienced teacher and coordinates folk music programming and teaches regularly at the Concord Community Music School.
The Percolators:
CW Abbott plays with the Percolators and the Groovemongers. He comes from a Southern musical tradition, but has embraced new styles such as French Canadian reels and Irish jigs with abandon. In addition to mandolin, he's played guitar, bass, fiddle, pedal steel and jug.
David Cahn hails from Seattle, WA and is a versatile instrumentalist, playing in numerous bands over the past twenty years. He's toured with Rodney Miller and appears on two of his CDs which include several of David's original tunes. He's also recorded with Clyde Moody, Charlie Moore, Wade Mainer, Helen Carter and Mark Simos. He has taught at the Puget Sound Guitar Workshop, the Festival of American Fiddle tunes, Pinewoods, Augusta and many other camps and festivals around the country.
Larry Edelman has played traditional music for more than 25 years and has traveled throughout the U.S. and Europe playing, teaching and calling for traditional dancing. In addition to the Percolators he plays fiddle, mandolin, and guitar with two Colorado-based bands, Poultry in Motion and the Soda Rock Ramblers.
Joe Fallon's musical versatility and humor have taken him to dance and music camps around the country. He has played bass, banjo and guitar with The Critton Hollow String Band for the past 23 years and more recently with the Percolators. His mid-life crisis is the Irish button accordion.
Joe Herrmann is a talented multi-instrumentalist who has been making music for over 30 years. He is well-known in traditional music circles for his singing and instrumental prowess. He founded Critton Hollow with his wife, Sam, in 1975 and has played at festivals, concert halls and dance camps throughout the U.S. and Canada. He also performed with The Fiddle Puppet Dancers for 16 years and with them toured the U.S., the U.K., Canada and Japan. Joe has taught banjo and fiddle workshops at numerous music camps and has six Critton Hollow recordings to his credit.
| American Dance & Music Week at Pinewoods Tentative Schedule: |
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| 7:45 - 8:15 Breakfast | |
| 9:00 - 10:00 | |
| Decade a Day Contras | Susan Kevra |
| Music from the Southwest | Larry Edelman, David Cahn |
| Mandolin | David Surette |
| 10:15 - 11:15 | |
| Québécois Social Dances | Jean-François Berthiaume |
| Singing with Susie | Susie Burke |
| Old-Time Jam | Larry Edelman, Joe Fallon |
| 11:30 - 12:00 | |
| Round-Up | Larry Edelman |
| 12:00 - 12:30 Swimming, Bookstore staffed | |
| 12:30 Lunch | |
| 1:45 - 2:45 | |
| Square'em Up | Kathy Anderson |
| Québécois Step-Dancing | Jean-François Berthiaume |
| New England Band | Jeremiah McLane |
| 3:00 - 4:00 | |
| American Dance Potpourri | Susan Kevra |
| Québécois Band | Rachel Aucoin, Claudine Arcand, Sabin Jacques |
| Song Swap | Joe Herrmann |
| 4:15 - 5:15 | |
| Couple Dancing | various |
| Private Lessons | various |
| Open Mic | Joe Fallon, Kathy Anderson |
| Camper-Led Workshops | |
| 5:00 - 5:45 | |
| Cinq à Sept: informal gathering | Rachel Aucoin, Sabin Jacques, Claudine Arcand, Susan Kevra, Jean-François Berthiaume |
| 5:45 - 6:30 | |
| Swimming, Bookstore staffed | |
| 6:30 Dinner | |
| 8:00 | |
| Couple Dances | |
| 8:15 - 11:00 | |
| Evening Dance Party | |
| 11:00 | |
| After-dance Activities | |
Class Descriptions: [Back to Top]
Decade a Day Contras -- Susan Kevra / Rodney Miller, Jeremiah McLane, Russ Barenberg
A panoramic sweep of the evolution in contra dance choreography from the 1970s through 2005 with a focus on how changes in choreography have changed the demands on the dancer and the musicians. A lot of dancing, with a touch of anthropology, history and psychology thrown in.
Music from the Southwest -- Larry Edelman, David Cahn
Music and dances from northern New Mexico and southern Colorado featuring beautiful waltzes, polkas and other melodies accompanying unique couple and set dances.
Mandolin -- David Surette
This class will explore the mandolin from both melodic and accompaniment perspectives. The main focus will be dance tunes from the contra dance repertoire, old and new, with detours for song accompaniment, improvisation and "what to play when you're not playing the tune or the chords."
Québécois Social Dances -- Jean-François Berthiaume / Sabin Jacques, Rachel Aucoin, Claudine Arcand
Old and new dances from Quebec: quadrilles, lines, circles and more with spirited music. Worth it just to hear Jean-François's patter!
Singing with Susie -- Susie Burke
A class for all singers, focusing on a variety of songs, including rounds, duets and multiple parts, call-and-response and songs with great choruses. Susie brings a diverse and unique repertoire, a supportive teaching style and an emphasis on the intuitive and expressive aspects of singing.
Old-Time Jam -- Larry Edelman, Joe Fallon
Players, cloggers and listeners welcome.
Round-Up -- Larry Edelman
An action packed all-camp gathering to share songs, stories, stunts, surprises and bad jokes. Each day will also feature a mini-staff concert.
Square'em Up -- Kathy Anderson / The Percolators: CW Abbott, Larry Edelman, David Cahn, Joe Fallon, Joe Herrmann
Squares from many traditions -- Western, New England, Southern, Appalachian and contemporary -- will be explored with the goal of tightening the sets and the moves to create that special group bond.
Québécois Step-Dancing -- Jean-François Berthiaume / Sabin Jacques
Open to all, regardless of level (or language!). This class will be flexible in order to accommodate a wide range of interests and experience levels. Cinq à Sept will offer additional one-on-one time with Jean-François to help meet everyone's needs.
New England Band -- Jeremiah McLane
Come learn the secrets of good ensemble playing and learn new repertoire with one of the masters of New England dance music.
American Dance Potpourri -- Susan Kevra / Rodney Miller, Russ Barenberg, David Surette
Featuring contras, squares, odd formations and more challenging dances.
Québécois Band -- Rachel Aucoin, Claudine Arcand, Sabin Jacques
There is a place for everyone in the Québécois band: melody players will learn new traditional and original repertoire and styling techniques on your favorite instrument with Rachel and Claudine. Accompanists, especially pianists, will learn typical Québécois harmony and dance-related rhythmic strategies with Rachel. Of course, the goal is to come together as a band by the end of the week.
Song Swap -- Joe Herrmann
For people who like to sing, of any level. Joe says, "You bring a song and I will, too." Come one, come all.
Couple Dancing
Private Lessons
Open Mic -- Joe Fallon, Kathy Anderson
Your turn to step up to the mic and call a dance or join the band.
Camper-Led Workshops
There will be a sign-up schedule posted for anyone to arrange an activity during fifth period.
Cinq à Sept -- Rachel Aucoin, Sabin Jacques, Claudine Arcand, Susan Kevra, Jean-François Berthiaume
Hosted by les Québécois, Cinq à Sept is a little bit jam, a little bit concert, a little bit dancing, a little bit singing, a little bit step-dancing and a whole lot of fun. (Students in Jean-François's step-dancing class can come practice to get some one-on-one pointers from him.)
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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