Country Dance and Song Society Family Week at Pinewoods August 20 - 27, 2005

As of Augus 1, there are a couple of spaces at this week.

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Program Description Staff Class Descriptions & Schedule

Family Week at Pinewoods August 20 - 27, 2005 Program Directors: Andy Davis Robin Davis Staff: Mary Alice Amidon * Peter Amidon * David Cantieni Jan Elliott Steve Hickman Scott Higgs Jonathan Jensen Owen Morrison Naomi Morse DeLaura Padovan Ann Percival Bruce Rosen Sue Rosen Kathleen Vetter * Advisors, plus: Steve Howe

Program Description: [Back to Top]

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

It has been observed that cultural traditions have to be taught "one generation at a time." Family Week at Pinewoods brings this process to life in a poignant and inspiring way. Families are offered a program of traditional dance, storytelling, singing, instrumental music and crafts in a pristine natural setting. Dance traditions will include American contra and square, English country, longsword, Kerry sets and community dancing for all ages.

Two daily classes for each age group allow the children to make friends among their peers while engaging in age appropriate activities led by our skilled staff. Classes for those 13 and up allow a variety of choices in music, dance, storytelling and crafts. Evening dances followed by song swaps, tune sessions and a cabaret take place while roving babysitters keep watch over sleeping children.

Community gatherings each morning and evening bring all ages together to learn from one another while sharing in music, song and dance from staff and campers alike. Tuesday evening is an opportunity for campers to take charge of the evening gathering and dance. Be sure to bring your instruments and any dances you would like to call on this very exciting evening. On Friday a parade leads us all in a "show and tell" tour of camp that allows us to acknowledge the joy and excitement of all that has happened during the week.

Although there are many scheduled activities, the choice to float lazily in a canoe, practice a new tune on the camphouse porch or engage in conversation with a new friend is always available. Watching the younger children wind a maypole for the first time or learn their first contra dance brings a new appreciation of the power of these traditions to all of us. Please join us in dance and song. -- Andy and Robin Davis, Program co-Directors

Staff: [Back to Top]

Mary Alice Amidon is a warm and engaging music educator who connects song, dance and storytelling with children's literature. She is also an accomplished singer of traditional song and a multi-instrumentalist.

Peter Amidon is a storyteller, singer, teacher, dance caller and all-around organizer of community music and dance. He has extensive experience teaching traditional dance to children, leading shape note and harmony singing, and performing traditional songs with Mary Alice Amidon.

David Cantieni has been making people dance for more than two decades to the infectious sounds of his Irish style wooden flute, saxophone and bombarde. The love of music and dance infuses all of David's many activities, which might include performing with the well-known bands Swallowtail and Wild Asparagus or leading a parade of costumed campers at a family dance camp.

Andy Davis is an accomplished accordion and piano player, elementary music teacher, dance caller and song leader. He tours with the group Nowell Sing We Clear and is a founding member of New England Dancing Masters - publishers and presenters of traditional dance to schools and community groups.

Robin Davis has been participating in community music and dance activities much of her life, dancing on two Cotswold morris teams and for many years with Guiding Star Clog Morris. A professional baker, Robin enjoys gathering people together to do art, especially modular origami and paper crafts, Ukrainian egg dying and lantern making. She sings with the Emerald Stream Chorale.

Jan Elliott loves to dance and teach Cotswold morris, Border morris and longsword to all ages. Since founding Ha'penny Morris of Boston as a teenager, she has danced or played with over a dozen teams from New England to Canada to the U.K. She is currently foreman of the Vineyard Swordfish, dances with Thames Valley International and plays for the Pinewoods Morris Men. When not dancing, she works as an independent recorder teacher and an active performer of early music with several groups on Cape Cod.

Steve Hickman is a dance fiddler of great renown. Familiar to many family campers as Dr. Hambone, he has more ways to make music with his body than you can possibly imagine. And he can show you how you can make body music too. At home, Steve is in charge of milking the goats.

Scott Higgs returns to Family Week to delight us with sparkling English dancing. In demand across North America for weekends and workshops, Scott takes particular pleasure in Pinewoods family programs, helping novices and experts of all ages explore the joys of English dance.

Jonathan Jensen is an inspired pianist in a wealth of musical styles from English country and contra to ragtime and jazz. He is a composer of brilliant English country dance tunes and waltzes, pianist with various dance music ensembles and bassist with the Baltimore Symphony. When not filling the piano chair at camp, he often rounds out the ensemble on whistle, recorder, ocarina or mandolin.

Owen Morrison has been coming to Family week at Pinewoods since before he was born. He has played guitar and mandolin for numerous dances and dance weekends across the country. Owen's latest interests include teaching Irish sets at dance weeks and late night parties, and playing flamenco guitar, which he recently studied for five months in Spain.

Naomi Morse grew up dancing, singing and playing violin at Pinewoods Family Week. She graduated from Oberlin College in 2003 and has earned a reputation as an energetic and dynamic 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.

DeLaura Padovan adds a touch of grace and humor to everything she has contributed to CDSS Family Weeks for over a decade: calling community dances, singing and sharing her love of creating things with children.

Ann Percival is a wonderful vocalist and song leader and member of Wild Asparagus. Her vivacious personality and amazing repertoire of swing, gospel and other songs of many traditions are sure to keep everyone in camp jumpin' and jivin'. Ann is in her element doing art in community settings.

Bruce Rosen is a stellar contra dance pianist and an accomplished display dance accordionist. Long involved in the Boston music and dance scene and dance events around the country, Bruce performs with any number of different bands, including Phantom Power and The Fish Family. You'll discover how his accordion playing promotes higher jumps and capers!

Sue Rosen is very involved in New England contra dance as a caller, collector and composer of contras and squares. Sue has a magical sense that leads her to some of the best contemporary dances.

Kathleen Vetter has masters degrees in Environmental Education and Elementary Education and has taught kindergarten for almost two decades. She has also taught music, nature studies and handwork at the Monadnock Waldorf School in Keene, NH. Currently she teaches Kripalu Yoga and works in an independent bookstore.

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, Bookstore staffed
12:15	Lunch
1:35 - 2:30	Early afternoon classes/Rest time
2:45 - 3:40	Afternoon classes, divided by age group
3:50 - 5:00	Swimming, Bookstore staffed
3:50 - 4:40	Late afternoon classes
4:45 - 5:15	Community Story on Camphouse Porch
6:00	Dinner
7:15	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
Kathleen will be on hand with a wealth of songs and singing games, books and simple craft materials. Parents are asked to bring favorite books and appropriate toys for sharing.

Ages 4 and 5
Get ready to make lots of wonderful things with DeLaura in her morning class. Singing games and fun will be had by all! A highlight of the afternoon class with Mary Alice will be a rhythm instrument parade. The children will act out stories and enjoy favorite singing games.

Ages 6 and 7
Come join the fun in the morning as we share many singing games, dances, songs and stories together with Mary Alice. We will make music with rhythm instruments and try making up our own stories as well. In the afternoon, DeLaura will bring her bag of art supplies for more creative fun.

Ages 8 and 9
In the morning Peter, our resident storyteller, will treat the 8-9s to a potpourri of stories and dance. The afternoon class will learn a longsword dance and explore mumming with Andy.

Ages 10 to 12
A mysterious adventure of pageantry, dance and music awaits the morning class, led by Ann and David. Be prepared to create and get your hands dirty! Change gears in the afternoon to work with Jan in her Border morris class. This class will explore the elements that make border so impressive to audiences and such fun for dancers. We will learn dances for sets of different sizes and shapes -- some with sticks, some without.

Ages 13 and up Morning classes (9:00)

Contras and Squares -- Sue Rosen / Steve Hickman, Bruce Rosen, Owen Morrison

Longsword -- Jan Elliott
Jan will teach Riccall, a little known longsword dance for eight with unusual features and figures adaptable to various numbers. Dancers will learn several sword locks, including Riccall's spectacular "portcullis" lock.

Ages 13 and up Afternoon classes (2:45)

English Country Dance -- Scott Higgs / Jonathan Jensen, Naomi Morse

Harmony Singing -- Peter Amidon
A wide range of songs: traditional and composed, sacred and secular, American, African American, English and more. Harmonies will be taught by ear, some from written music and some improvised by the group. Music reading skills are helpful but not required.

The Early Afternoon Classes at 1:35

Stories and Picture Books (7 and younger, with parent) -- Mary Alice Amidon
Mary Alice will share an amazing array of picture books of songs, stories and poetry. Her stories come from all over the world and always include musical participation, so come and join right in.

Art in the Afternoon -- Ann Percival, Robin Davis
Come relax and do art with Ann and Robin as we transform Ampleforth into a community art center! A potpourri of mediums will be explored each day.

English Corn Dollies (8 and up, with parent) -- Kathleen Vetter
The tradition of making corn dollies or grain braiding has been practiced from ancient times throughout Europe, Asia and South America. The corn dolly was fashioned from the last sheaf of grain at harvest. It served as a holding place for the spirit of the grain until the following spring. At that time it was either fed to livestock or plowed back into the field to ensure the harvest to come. Designs range from simple to complex.

Recorder Ensemble (10 and up) -- Jan Elliott, Jonathan Jensen
This class is open to all recorder players age 10+ who know the instrument's basic fingerings and are able to read easy to intermediate parts in an ensemble setting. We will explore a variety of compositions and arrangements for recorder consort, including original settings of English country dance music by Jonathan. The class will focus on intonation, articulation, rhythmic accuracy and ensemble skills, aiming for a coherent and danceable sound. Alto, tenor and bass recorder players especially welcome!

New England Band (12 and up) -- David Cantieni
Learn medleys and arrangements of traditional and contemporary tunes. All instruments welcome, all levels accepted.

Teens Class (13 - 17) -- Owen Morrison
Teens, this is your class. Bring whatever you would like to see more of at Pinewoods, and we'll put it to good use. We can dance our favorite dances, sing, rehearse skits for an evening gathering or just play games and have a great time. Depending on interest, smaller groups could start a band, organize activities for younger (or older) campers ... the sky's the limit.

Advanced Napping -- For as many as will
Power Point presentation is required.

The Late Afternoon Class at 3:50

Kerry Sets -- Owen Morrison / Steve Hickman
We will dance the Irish sets of Cork and Kerry counties in the Southwest of Ireland. These fast and fun dances are danced to lively polkas and slides from the same region. Beginners are welcome and encouraged to come join the fun.

Community Story (4:45)
Each afternoon Peter Amidon will tell a story - or share the venue with special guests. These stories will be told on the camphouse porch overlooking Long Pond.

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/