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Country Dance and Song SocietyEnglish & American Dance Week at Pinewoods
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Click here for a list of Dances taught by Scott and Joseph at English & Dance Week 2005
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Country Dance and Song SocietyEnglish & American Dance Week at Pinewoods
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Click here for a list of Dances taught by Scott and Joseph at English & Dance Week 2005
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Class Descriptions & Schedule
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English & American Dance Week at Pinewoods August 6 - 13, 2005 Program Director: Staff: Advisors: |
Program Description: [Back to Top]
Look up our Adult Programs for some general information; here is more detail about this particular program and staff.
You're invited to a richly varied week of dance, music and good times in the peerless pavilions and ponds of Pinewoods. Enjoy first-rate contra and English country dancing with new and longtime friends, and choose your favorites from this year's extra-wide menu of classes.
Callers Joseph Pimentel and Scott Higgs are both known for combining a delightful sense of fun with clear insightful teaching and an excellent dance repertoire. They will lead an array of contra dance and English country dance sessions, including a period with simultaneous graded English classes. In the evenings Rick Mohr will contribute his top-notch contra collection as well. The dancing will be propelled by a truly stellar cast of musicians, who have commented often on their enthusiasm for playing with each other this week.
In addition to the English and contra program you can choose from no less than seven other kinds of dancing. Irish dancing is a mini-theme: Owen Morrison, with his laid-back charm, will lead fast and fun Irish sets (cousins of American squares) and Renée Camus will offer a rare camp opportunity to learn Irish step-dancing. With her trademark enthusiasm and wide dance background, Renée will also treat us to ragtime couple dances and an open Appalachian clogging class. Display dancing is strong this year as well, with the chance to learn Rick Nagler's coolest rousing Border morris dances, plus longsword and rapper classes expertly led by Jan Elliott and Rick Mohr.
If your feet get tired, relax on the porches, docks and wooded paths of our beautiful camp -- or, expand your talents for singing, playing music and calling. Singers are invited to join the full ringing harmonies as Fred Todt leads shape note singing and Rick Nagler pulls out great chorus songs from his repertoire and yours. Budding callers can share perspectives and work with a master in Joseph Pimentel's calling lab. And instrumentalists can have their minds expanded in Shira Kammen's delightful class or groove out at Danny Noveck's slow jam. On Wednesday night, everyone is invited to call or play at the camper-led dance.
Your day will include five workshop periods plus plenty of breaks for rest, refreshments, swimming and perusing the bookstore. Each evening you're invited to a dance party with a variety of English and American dances -- and after the dance, enjoy late-night activities including parties, jam sessions, singing, special events and the famous pub night. The week will end with class presentations, an afternoon social and a final Grand Ball.
Come and enjoy the fun, the community and the special setting of Pinewoods Camp, where the love of traditional music and dance unites newcomers and old-timers in the excitement of camp life. -- Rick Mohr, Program Director
Keith Murphy and Becky Tracy will run American Dance Musicians Course during this week.
Karen Axelrod plays beautifully expressive piano for English, American and Scottish dance, and has been on staff at numerous dance weeks around the country including Pinewoods, Buffalo Gap, Ogontz and Berea. She also plays hot accordion for Orion Longsword. When not playing music Karen performs with the improv comedy troupe The Villa Jidiots and makes jewelry.
Renée Camus grew up in the folk dance tradition, attending Pinewoods camp since age 8. She now enthusiastically teaches and performs many styles of percussive and ballroom dance, including Appalachian clogging, Irish and English step-dancing, swing, tango, hambo, Latin and American ballroom, Renaissance, Baroque and 19th- and early 20th-century social dances. Having graced many performing groups she recently founded her own company for historical social dance, called Centuries Historical Dance (www.centuriesdance.org).
Doug Creighton, of the English country dance band Pleasures of the Town, is a fine musician on the button accordion, flute and concertina. He brings a wealth of experience as dancer and musician (and all-around great guy) for numerous display dance teams, and his passion for Québécois music from his native Canada has made him a sought-after contra musician as well. Doug is also guru of The Button Box in Sunderland, MA, where he keeps the world safe for accordions and concertinas.
Daron Douglas plays fiddle for English and contra dancing with a background of a traditional Appalachian upbringing. She thanks her mountain grandmother for her ballads and also for her preoccupation with gardening. She plays with many groups including the Hominy Mamas, a trio once billed as "providing an evening of song and comedy" even though they thought of their work as traditional Appalachian singing games! Daron has been on staff at many dance camps and now lives and plays music in New Orleans (where she is also a professional weaver).
Jan Elliott has taught many popular display dance classes at Pinewoods in recent years. Honing her longsword skills early with Muddy River Sword and Commonwealth Longsword in Boston, she is currently artistic director for the Martha's Vineyard Swordfish. Jan is widely recognized for her clear teaching at all levels and her infectious enthusiasm for dance.
Scott Higgs has been composing and teaching contra and English dances for over 25 years, with energy and enthusiasm that continue to grow. From Seattle to Antwerp, dancers praise Scott's engaging programs, dynamic presentation and emphasis on fun.
Shira Kammen has spent well over half her life exploring the worlds of early and traditional music as a multi-instrumentalist and vocalist. With an array of ensembles she plays for concerts, dances, soundtracks and theatrical and dance productions, throughout the U.S. and abroad. Shira is also the founder of Class V Music, an ensemble dedicated to performance on river rafting trips, and hopes to spend more time playing music of all kinds in the wilderness. The strangest place she has played is in the elephant pit of the Jerusalem Zoo.
Rick Mohr has been dancing, teaching and choreographing for 18 years in both the contra and morris dance worlds, as well as making and leading music vocally and instrumentally. Known for clear and well-paced teaching, good humor and fresh tradition-based choreography, Rick keeps an active schedule calling contra dances and serves as foreman of Boston's Commonwealth Morris Men.
Owen Morrison grew up in the thick of the music and dance world and began playing for contras and English dances as a teenager. He now plays guitar and mandolin for several bands at dance evenings, weekends and weeks throughout the country. In 2001, after many years of dancing Kerry sets with family and friends, Owen and his family befriended dance teacher Timmy McCarthy of Balyvourney, Ireland. Since then, Owen has expanded his repertoire of Irish sets and has taught them at Pinewoods, Berea and many a late-night party all over the country.
Naomi Morse, a native of Marlboro, VT, has been surrounded by folk music and dance from an early age. She graduated from Oberlin College in 2003 and has 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.
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.
Rick Nagler delights in Border morris, which he has enthusiastically led for two decades as foreman of several border teams and at workshops throughout the Midwest, inducting rank beginner and seasoned veteran into the Joyous Order of the Border. Years of late-night song sessions have filled his memory with a striking number and variety of songs (displacing less important details such as the day and date). When he's not dancing or singing Rick is beguiled by his wife, is the father of two boys and works as a physician.
Danny Noveck is an exceptional traditional dance musician on guitar, tenor banjo and fiddle, recording and performing with top contra dance bands as well as Irish music luminaries such as John Whelan, Liz Carroll and Charlie Lennon. Recently he's been honing his rhythmic guitar back-up on the New York City Irish session circuit and appearing on CD releases by Eric Merrill, Sam Bartlett and Christopher Layer. All this while he's been churning out his Ph.D. on indigenous violin music in northern Mexico, based on fieldwork playing violin with Tarahumara Indians in the Sierra Madre.
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 travellers, too and have been recently published in The Cardinal Collection. When not calling or dancing, Joseph is often chasing after birds or Ohio barns.
Fred Todt is a song and dance leader from Columbus, OH, where he grew up in a dancing family. His love of shape note music developed during frequent trips to Berea Christmas Country Dance School, and today he often 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 join their voices in boisterous and joyful song.
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.
Dave Wiesler has built a national reputation over the last decade for his rhythmic and innovative piano playing. At home in a wide range of styles, Dave is in demand for dances of many flavors -- contra, swing, vintage, couple dance, English and Scottish country dance -- at festivals, dance weekends and camps across the country and abroad. He is a prolific composer of tunes and songs, a capable guitarist and singer and a great guy. Dave's bands include Goldcrest (with Daron Douglas and Paul Oorts), the Avant Gardeners, the Lava Lamps and Cabaret Sauvignon.
| English & American Dance Week at Pinewoods Tentative Schedule: |
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| 7:45 - 8:15 Breakfast | |
| 9:00 - 10:00 | |
| English for All | Joseph Pimentel |
| Advanced English | Scott Higgs |
| Open Appalachian Clogging | Renée Camus |
| 10:15 - 11:15 | |
| Highly-Sought Contra Partners (and how to be one) | Joseph Pimentel |
| Ragtime Couple Dances | Renée Camus |
| Rapper | Rick Mohr |
| 11:25 - 11:55 | |
| Camp Gathering | Owen Morrison |
| 11:55 - 12:30 Swimming, Bookstore staffed | |
| 12:30 Lunch | |
| 1:45 - 2:45 | |
| A Banquet of ECD | Scott Higgs |
| Irish Step-Dancing | Renée Camus |
| Shape Note Singing | Fred Todt |
| 3:00 - 4:00 | |
| Many Moods of Contra | Scott Higgs |
| Border Morris | Rick Nagler |
| Slow Jam | Danny Noveck |
| Calling Lab | Joseph Pimentel |
| 4:05 - 4:25 | |
| Tea | |
| 4:30 - 5:30 | |
| Irish Sets | Owen Morrison |
| Longsword | Jan Elliott |
| Raise Your Voice and Sing | Rick Nagler |
| Music from the Inside Out | Shira Kammen |
| 5:30 - 6:15 | |
| Swimming, Bookstore staffed | |
| 6:30 Dinner | |
| 8:00 | |
| Evening Dance Party | |
| 11:00 | |
| After-Dance Activities | |
Class Descriptions: [Back to Top]
Social Dance Classes
English for All -- Joseph Pimentel / Daron Douglas, Dave Wiesler
A fun and gentle start to the day with accessible English for those who already love it and for those who soon will. This will be an enjoyable, relaxed class with fine dances and tips for greater English dance pleasure.
Advanced English -- Scott Higgs / Shira Kammen, Doug Creighton, Karen Axelrod
Do you enjoy challenges? We will explore dances that are delightfully fun, but that require alertness and thorough familiarity with ECD figures. Daron, Doug and Karen will inspire us to new Terpsichorean heights.
A Banquet of ECD -- Scott Higgs / Naomi Morse, Dave Wiesler
A joyful banquet of favorites, old and new. Selected dances will be accessible to all, yet feature special delights for experienced dancers to savor. Beautiful music, courtesy of Naomi and Dave.
Highly-Sought Contra Partners (and how to be one) -- Joseph Pimentel / Daron Douglas, Karen Axelrod
Ever wondered why some dancers are highly-sought as partners? It probably has more to do with their good swing than their good looks. We'll dance a choice selection of the best dances, while raising our dance consciousness and becoming more attentive to partners and neighbors -- to keep 'em coming back for more! Exciting, comfortable and safe swings, allemandes, chains and twirls; sharing weight; and negotiating happy flourishes.
Many Moods of Contra -- Scott Higgs / Naomi Morse, Owen Morrison
Hard-driving and energetic, smooth flowing and romantic, percussive, fluid, playful, time-tested, brand-new, off-the-wall (!) ... we'll explore the full range of delightful contras, with tips to ensure that you (and your partners) enjoy all the opportunities for magic and connection.
Irish Sets -- Owen Morrison / Danny Noveck and Becky Tracy or Keith Murphy
We'll dance the fast-paced four-couple sets from counties Cork and Kerry in the south of Ireland, with lively polkas and slides from Danny, Becky and Keith. It's an end of the day party and we'll explore ways of making these fast and fun dances as energy efficient as possible. No experience is necessary.
Ragtime Couple Dances -- Renée Camus / Shira Kammen, Dave Wiesler
Learn some of the delightful vintage precursors to today's ballroom dances, with a focus on leading and following techniques that apply to all couple dancing. Ragtime dances led the early 20th century shift of dance fashion away from Paris and toward America, and are considered one of the first truly American forms of social dance. Dances like the one-step, Castlewalk, blues, grizzly bear, bunny hug, tango and fox-trot are easy, fun, rewarding dances that can be embraced by any level of dancer. They employ accessible improvisation, with simple walking steps and figures that can be used in more than one dance.
Morris, Sword and Step-Dancing Classes
Border Morris -- Rick Nagler / Doug Creighton
After a day of fiddly foot steps, rapturous glances and hands held "just so," there's nothing like a good stompin' Border morris dance to clean the cobwebs, loosen your fillings and remind you what your diaphragm is for. We'll dance both "traditional" and recently composed dances, with an emphasis on energy and spirit. Athletic shoes strongly recommended. Everyone is welcome.
Longsword -- Jan Elliott / Karen Axelrod
Enjoy the expanded version of Jan's popular class on the Sowerby longsword dance as reconstructed by the Vineyard Swordfish. We'll emphasize elements of good dancing including sword handling, teamwork, musicality and fluidity of movement. If time and interest allow, we'll also explore issues of dance reconstruction and presentation. All are welcome, please wear sturdy shoes.
Rapper -- Rick Mohr / Doug Creighton
Rick Mohr will lead a rapper class open to all, presenting an exciting dance with opportunities to learn and improve on the full range of rapper skills -- stepping, figures, drive, teamwork, flips and presentation. Wear hard-soled shoes.
Irish Step-Dancing -- Renée Camus / Danny Noveck
Here's a rare chance to learn Irish step-dancing, all the rage thanks to shows like Riverdance, in a non-competition setting. We'll get the feel of the movements and style with a few soft shoe steps, then move into the percussive rhythms of jigs, reels and hornpipes. For dancers with experience in any form of step-dancing; hard soled shoes, Irish Jig shoes, or taps preferable.
Open Appalachian Clogging -- Renée Camus / Naomi Morse
Everyone is welcome to share the joys of rhythmic feet, whether you're a first-time clogger learning the basics or an enthusiast picking up new steps. We'll start with basic Appalachian clogging and flatfooting rhythms and then move them around, with ideas for technique, improvisation and fun. Hard-soled shoes or tap shoes.
Music, Singing and Calling Classes
Raise Your Voice and Sing -- Rick Nagler
Join Rick Nagler in group renditions of favorite songs with great choruses. We'll explore life, love and death; the joys of uniting and the pains of parting; the worker, the criminal, the sailor -- all with our best ringing harmonies. Come lead a song, request a song or just listen as we rest our feet and raise the rafters!
Shape Note Singing -- Fred Todt
Experience why 200-year-old American songs have inspired a modern revival, as we sing the haunting and powerful harmonies of The Sacred Harp. With roots in Revolutionary War-era New England, shape note singing spread down the Appalachians during the 19th century and flourished in the rural South. Assigning shapes to notes has survived as a great way to teach sight-singing to singers of all musical abilities.
Music from the Inside Out -- Shira Kammen
Explore another approach to playing tunes in this fun and accessibly mind-expanding class. With English dance music as a base we'll move on to modal and rhythmical improvisation exercises, and make up our own melodies in an English country dance style. We'll use The Barnes Book of English Country Dance Tunes, available from the camp bookstore.
Slow Jam -- Danny Noveck
Wonderful things happen when players of all levels join to play tunes new and old at a leisurely pace. Expand your repertoire, as newer players learn about ensemble playing and session etiquette and seasoned players enjoy the groove or work on a new instrument or harmony. We'll negotiate a balance between the various playing levels and tune the jam to the participants as the week evolves.
Calling Lab -- Joseph Pimentel / Daron Douglas
Here's an opportunity to gain valuable calling flight-time and process our experiences in a structured and meaningful way. Callers will have plenty of time to practice their craft as we all dance for each other to Daron's musical magic. We'll learn and use a framework for receiving feedback, with individual callers deciding how much feedback they want. Open to both American and English callers; basic skills and some experience is helpful. Curious and supportive dancers welcome.
And Finally...
Camp Gathering -- Owen Morrison
Join Owen, your MC, in a daily extravaganza of camper and staff talent, singing, stories and high jinks. A great way to wind down before lunch and hang out with the whole camp!
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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