Country Dance and Song Society

English Dance Leaders Course at Pinewoods
August 5 - 12, 2006

As of August 2, this week has a short wait list.

Timber Ridge	Pinewoods			Ogontz
English & American Family	Early Music Folk Music String Band Family	English & American English Dance Leaders English Dance English Musicians	Campers' American Dance & Music Contra Dance Callers	Storytelling Week Family Week 1 Family Week 2

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English Dance Leaders Course at Pinewoods
August 5 - 12, 2006
Program Director:
Scott Higgs

Tentative Schedule: [Back to Top]

7:45 - 8:15 Breakfast

9:00 - 9:55 Class Period 1

Advanced English Gene Murrow

English for All Scott Higgs

Rapper Ted Hodapp

Improvisation Inspiration Peter Davis

10:10 - 11:05 Class Period 2

English Dance Leaders Course Scott Higgs / Jonathan Jensen

11:20 - 11:50

Camp Gathering Karen Axelrod

11:50 - 12:30 Swimming, Bookstore staffed

12:30 Lunch

1:45 - 2:40 Class Period 3

Swing Dancing Kate Ford

English for All Gene Murrow

Cotswold Morris: Lichfield Ted Hodapp

2:55 - 3:50 Class Period 4

Open Mic Rick Mohr, Naomi Morse

Contras Ted Hodapp

Int/Adv Appalachian Stepping Judy Erickson

3:50 - 4:20

Tea

4:20 - 5:15 Class Period 5

English Dance Leaders Course Scott Higgs

5:15 - 6:15 Swimming, Bookstore staffed

6:30 Dinner

8:00 Evening Dance Party

11:00 Optional After-dance Activities

Program Description: [Back to Top]
Look up our Special Programs for some general information; here is more detail about this particular program and staff.

The English Dance Leaders Course is an intensive program, designed for people with at least one year of experience in calling (any form of dance). The small-group setting ensures that each participant, from novice to expert, receives personal attention to make progress toward their goals. In the context of English & American Week, we particularly welcome contra callers who seek to extend their scope to ECD. For all participants, this class will cultivate the skills needed to present English dance in a dynamic and engaging way.

Twice-daily class sessions will address topics ranging from building new repertoire to effective use of microphones. We will do some teaching and calling in class, and also have available an Open Mic session for practice with a larger group. Our class is embedded in a lively English & American Dance Week program, so we will enjoy total immersion in great music and dance!

Hands-on activities form a major component of your study. Effective leadership does not result from memorizing the "correct" way to do something. Participants will be asked to reconsider their assumptions, explore new approaches ... and to make mistakes without fear of judgment. Our classroom serves as a safe environment to experiment with alternatives, to face challenges, to adapt on-the-fly and to chew on perplexing puzzles. Just when you need a bit of relief, you will face significant homework assignments each day. Please come prepared to work (and play) hard.

Our class topics include: connecting dancers with the music, teaching more effectively, repertoire development, programming, long-term dancer development, and ... taking care of yourself. In the course of a week, we can raise our awareness, and fill our kits with high-quality tools. The rest of the work will be yours: to take ideas and materials home, and to continue to grow.

Your teacher, Scott Higgs, is passionate about good dancing and dynamic leadership. He has been teaching and organizing dances for over 25 years. Since the early 1980s, Scott has led English and contra dances in 25 states and five foreign countries. He has taught week-long caller workshops at Buffalo Gap, Pinewoods and Lady of the Lake camps. Dancers praise Scott's clear, succinct teaching, attention to "magic moments," and programs that engage expert dancers, while remaining accessible to those with less experience.

Please check the description of English & American Dance Week for details on that program and staff.

Materials: [Back to Top]
Class assignments begin before you arrive at camp, so you will need to acquire a copy of The Playford Ball beforehand. A binder of resource materials ($5 extra) will be handed-out on-site. You are also strongly encouraged to bring a small tape recorder, a copy of The Barnes Book of English Country Dance Tunes , and a CD or tape of ECD music that you enjoy. Both books and many fine CDs are available through the CDSS Sales Department.

Registration: [Back to Top]

The registration deadline for this course is March 20. If it is oversubscribed on the 20th, there will be a lottery. This course is limited to ten participants to ensure plenty of opportunity for active participation. In case of over-subscription, some preference will be given to applicants from areas that are under-served with English dance leaders. Scholarships are available.