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Country Dance and Song SocietyFamily Week at Pinewoods
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Country Dance and Song SocietyFamily Week at Pinewoods
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Family Week at Pinewoods July 29 - August 5, 2006 Program Director: Staff: Advisors: |
Program Description: [Back to Top]
Look up our Family Programs for some general information; here is more detail about this particular program and staff.
Welcome to Pinewoods Family Week 2006! Our outstanding, congenial staff will make you and your family feel welcomed and energized for a week full of dancing and singing fun for all ages. As someone who has been a CDSS family week camper and sometime staff member for the last 15 years, I can personally attest that this is my family's favorite vacation for both adults and children. My daughter has literally grown up at camp, and the skills she learned there as a child have helped her become an active part of our dance community at home all year long.
Our staff is made up of both new and returning teachers, and some previous "Family Week favorites" who are coming back after a short hiatus from Pinewoods. All are filled with great ideas for the morning and afternoon sessions for both children and adults, as you can see below. Our versatile, amazing musicians can play it all, from old-time to old world to New England to jazz. Just wait until they let loose at evening dances!
Our schedule is filled with opportunities for fun and exploration. Take a nature walk with Andy Kane and discover the wonders of the pine forest. Do some felting with Kathy Torrey and create some wearable art to take home. Let Michael Parent weave his wonderful stories around your heart. Relax with yoga or be easy with Alexander Technique. Sing in harmony with Cynthia Shaw or play in the family band with Laura Light and George Paul. Or just take an afternoon nap in your cabin, surrounded by the beautiful sounds of music and nature that make up a week at camp. Each day has two swim times and a nap time built into the schedule, plus enough music and dance to keep our most active campers busy all day long. Those 9 and under will follow the pied piper off to bed each evening, while the rest of us enjoy nightly contra, square and English dance. Our exciting final day together features a parade around camp, our original Mummers play, ritual dance demonstrations and lots of surprises from the children's classes.
So come experience Pinewoods with us this summer, you won't be disappointed. -- Robbin Schaffer, Program Director
Daron Douglas plays fiddle for English country and contra dancing with the background of a traditional Appalachian upbringing. She thanks her mountain great-grandmother for her ballads and also for her preoccupation with gardening. Daron has played with the Knoxville Early Music Project and the Hominy Mamas (a trio once billed at a library party as "providing an evening of song and comedy" even though they thought of their work as traditional Appalachian singing games!). She plays with the contra dance bands Misbehavin' (known for their original waltz CD, Just Over the Mountain), and Goldcrest. Daron has been on the staff at CDSS dance camps, at Ashokan and at the John C. Campbell Folk School in Brasstown, N.C. She now lives and plays music in New Orleans.
Gaye Fifer has been calling at dance weekends for several years. She will delight you with clear walkthroughs and smooth flowing contras. Be prepared to be challenged with some tasty dances too! Gaye's pleasant style and graceful teaching put dancers at ease and set the stage for a great dance experience.
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.
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.
Andy Kane has been calling squares and contras at community and family dances throughout the mid-Atlantic for over 15 years, and thrives in the groove of old-time style music. His upbeat style and minimal walkthrough techniques always raise the fun-factor on the dance floor. When not calling dances or enjoying family with Diane, Collin and Ryland, Andy focuses on the Chesapeake Bay environment and directs the University of Maryland's Aquatic Pathobiology Center.
Valerie Kosednar is a singer and teacher of young musicians. Her love of singing began in infancy, where (according to her mother) she hummed, crooned and gurgled tunes well before speaking her first words. A music educator for the past 17 years, Valerie currently teaches at two wonderful schools in Vermont and conducts the Main Street Children's Chorus. She also sings with the River Singers and the singing group Emerald Stream.
Laura Light has been playing fiddle for dances, festivals and various and sundry celebratory occasions for thirty years. A true American hybrid, her repertoire includes Ssouthern old-time, New England, Scandanavian, Cape Breton, Québécois, Irish and swing tunes and she loves to sing as well as fiddle for dancers all around the country. Laura's CDs, No Gravity and Stronger Than Dirt reflect these eclectic tastes and feature original and traditional songs, jigs and reels, swing and salsa. She currently plays in the Avant Gardeners, a rip-roaring swing/contra dance band, and/or with her favorite touring partner, husband George Paul. She also plays with Childsplay, a New England-based fiddle orchestra, but she's likely to appear playing with many many different combinations of dance musicians almost anywhere! Personal Webpage
Dave Marcus, playing concertina, hammered dulcimer and button accordion, has been contra dancing and playing since 1981. Starting with the Unknown String Band (an inadvertently appropriate name) and continuing for 12 years with Red Plum Jam, whose CD Jump at the Sun was labeled a "Pinewoods Favorite" by CDSS, he has spent the last decade playing exclusively Irish music, and the last year trying to figure out how on earth he stopped playing contra dance music. He now plays with Holy Coyote in the Atlanta/Asheville area.
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 studied for five months in Spain.
Michael Parent, a Franco-American Mainer, has performed as a storyteller-singer, in both English and French, since 1977. He is a 1999 recipient of the National Storytelling Network's Circle of Excellence Award. He has been featured at events throughout the U.S., as well as in Canada, France, Austria, New Zealand, Ireland, England and Poland.
George Paul comes to contra music via a long musical road including classical training and jazz clubs of California, blues and country bands in the Pacific Northwest and finally Irish sessions and contra dances in Anchorage, Alaska. Noted for his driving, bluesy groove and innovative compositions, George has quickly gained popularity in the lower 48 as a keyboardist and accordionist. A prolific composer, his waltzes, lilting jigs and driving reels are quickly catching the ear of the contra music scene. George is a master of "contra funk," and that usually translates into "contra fun!"
Robbin Schaffer is a well-known caller of contras, squares and community dances in the mid-Atlantic region. Recognized for her choices of smooth, flowing dances and clear teaching style, she is much in demand by beginning and experienced dancers alike. Robbin teaches elementary music during the school year, graduate level certification courses in Kodaly, folk dance and Alexander Technique in the summer, and Alexander Technique lessons whenever she can in Baltimore, MD.
Cynthia Shaw has been singing and playing the piano forever. She is musical director of the New York Christmas Revels, with whom she performed on Garrison Keillor's A Prairie Home Companion. An accomplished choral singer, she sang with the NY Philharmonic on their recent Grammy Award-winning CD, and backed up Paul McCartney at Carnegie Hall. She plays piano regularly in New York. Personal Webpage
Diane Shaw joins us for her first family week on staff, teaching both children and adult classes. Over the last 25 years, she has taught and performed a variety of traditional dance, including Appalachian clogging and rapper. Diane danced with the Cub Hill Cloggers & Pedantics, and for the last 10 years has been a member of Charm City Rapper. Recently, she returned to teaching children science, while adding longsword classes for Kindergartners and rapper classes targeted at middle schoolers to the school curriculum. After completing certification in Radiant child yoga, she began teaching a yoga class for 3 to 5 year olds. Diane's teaching style emphasizes finding the joy of dance, no matter what the level of her student's experience.
Kathy Torrey has been singing and dancing and working with young children for the past 30 years in the Monadnock area of New Hampshire. She calls community dances, has founded a preschool and is currently working with childcare providers. She has three grown children who have all been to CDSS camps at one time or another. She is delighted to be returning to Pinewoods Family Week to combine play in music, song, story, dance and crafts with your children and you.
Kathleen Vetter draws on many years of experience as a Kindergarten teacher, and creator of the Mill Hollow Camp, a community camp that she ran out of her home in rural New Hampshire when her children were growing up. She discovered contra-dancing in the early 70s and has been dancing ever since! Singing is one of her other great joys.
| Family Week at Pinewoods Daily Schedule click for tentative Detailed Daily Schedule |
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| 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 | Story on the 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 | Optional after-dance activities |
Class Descriptions: [Back to Top]
Children's classes by age group -- 9:00 and 2:45
Ages 2 and 3
Stories, Songs and Fingerplays Our 2-3 year olds will enjoy creative play and simple projects during their two class periods. Kathleen Vetter will create a relaxed environment for our youngest campers.
Ages 4 and 5
Rise and Shine! What better way to begin a summer's day than to sing, learn simple dances, explore rhythmic instruments and play singing games? Valerie Kosednar will come with lots of ideas and she can't wait to hear yours too!
Animal Tales Puppetry, song and story for 4-5s in the afternoon with Kathy Torrey. We will create some puppet plays involving the animals participants are drawn to -- we may invent our own story or act out some traditional ones from native sources. We will explore different ways to make simple puppets, and learn some songs about animals to add to our plays.
Ages 6 and 7
Peculiar Puppets In the morning, the 6-7 year-olds will use their inventive minds and various puppetry techniques to create some interesting puppets out of basic household items. They will work with Kathy Torrey to present a number of skits, plays and parades with puppets large and small.
Musical Musings Afternoons with Valerie Kosednar offer the opportunity to delight in the pleasures of creative music making. We will play singing and movement games, act out story songs, learn some dances, enjoy picture books and explore Valerie's diverse instrument collection!
Ages 8 and 9
Longsword In the morning, 8-9 year olds will have a class in longsword dancing with Diane Shaw learning interesting dance figures while connected with long sticks! You'll have to come to class to find out more...
Nature Explorations In the afternoon, get ready to see the world a little bit closer. Andy Kane will lead a unique exploration of the wet, dry and often invisible aspects of Pinewood's beautiful nature.
Ages 10 to 12
Dance Calling In the morning, Andy Kane, with musical support from Daron Douglas and Owen Morrison, will lead a dance calling workshop to share techniques, presentation and feelin' the groove. Like Karaoke at Pinewoods.
Storytelling Basics Grab the Space, Kids! A straightforward approach for beginning storytellers of any age, this afternoon workshop with Michael Parent will help students express themselves more clearly through the use of storytelling. Starting with simple, one-sentence statements, the class will participate in a series of exercises and challenges that build up to the telling of a story. Watch for our exciting performance experiences!
Ages 13 and up Morning classes (9:00)
The Joy of Contra -- Gaye Fifer / Laura Light, George Paul, Ralph Gordon
Experience the pleasure of moving with the music, whether the dance is smooth and flowing, or driving and challenging. Polish your ability to enhance your partner's dance experience (and your own) by concentrating on connection and timing. Learn the secrets of creating a sense of community on the dance floor while having lots of fun!
Harmony Singing -- Cynthia Shaw
We'll sing different kinds of rounds, madrigals, multiple part and chorus songs and madrigals. Come ready to make beautiful music!
Ages 13 and up Afternoon classes (2:45)
English Dance -- Scott Higgs / Daron Douglas, Ralph Gordon, Dave Marcus, Cynthia Shaw
All levels of experience are welcome to enjoy this delightful selection of English dances, to glorious music by Daron, Ralph, Dave and Cynthia.
Beginning Appalachian and English Clog -- Diane Shaw / George Paul
Beginners will learn the basics of Appalachian step dancing, experiencing the dance as both dance movement and percussive expression. Steps will be broken down and practiced as a solo percussive instrument and in the context of a very simple Cub Hill Clogger routine. The class will also work on a simple English waltz clog, to provide an historical benchmark for the New World. Bring sturdy leather-soled or other stiff-soled shoes. Wooden shoes may be used for English clog. Please no taps.
The Early Afternoon Classes at 1:35
Stories (7 and under with parent) -- Michael Parent
Michael will offer a quiet story class for our smallest campers (with their parents) who may have a hard time falling asleep in the afternoon.
Felting (8 and up, younger with a parent) -- Kathy Torrey
Hand-felting wool using a variety of techniques -- needle-felting and wet-felting to make clothing, bags, balls and sculpted objects of all sorts; your imagination is the only limit! There may be a small materials fee depending on your ambition!
Dance Band with Pizzazz!! (10 and up) -- Laura Light, George Paul
Come one, come all - all ages, all instruments and all levels. Learn to play music for dancers and learn to play in a band. Laura and George have some great tunes and great techniques for arranging music and for having fun with the dancers. We will have notated music for readers, but if you learn by ear, that's OK too. We'll learn some jigs, reels and waltzes and maybe even a swing tune or hambo. Be prepared to let your hair down and have some fun!
Mummers Play (10 and up) -- Owen Morrison
We will pool from several traditional and not-so-traditional mummers plays to create our own Pinewoodsian mumming epic. We will perform the play for the whole camp as part of the last day's festivities.
Intro to Alexander Technique (13 and up) -- Robbin Schaffer
Come learn the fundamentals for increasing your comfort and ease in your favorite activities. Finding it difficult to hold that guitar or dance for hours the way you used to? Bring instruments, crafts, your voice, or your dance shoes and be prepared for an active and interesting class designed to increase your awareness of your body in the world.
Advanced Napping -- For as many as will
The Late Afternoon Class at 3:50
Rapper (13 and up) -- Diane Shaw / Daron Douglas
A rapper class for those with and without prior rapper experience (experienced dancers appreciated and encouraged to attend). The focus will be to shape traditional rapper figures (and beginning dancers) into a unique 5 person rapper dance focusing on teamwork, strengthening stepping skills and the dancing of the swords.
Waltz and More (13 and up) -- Gaye Fifer / Laura Light, Owen Morrison, Ralph Gordon, Cynthia Shaw
Learn the basics of several fun couple dances frequently played at contra dance breaks. We'll work on the steps and shared weight of a Schottische, Norwegian polka and hambo. We'll also practice the art of leading and following as we connect and communicate with our partners in waltz.
Stories on the Porch -- Michael Parent (4:45)
Join Michael for stories for all on the camp house porch each afternoon.
Occasional Treats
A Kripalu Yoga teacher, Kathleen Vetter has been developing a Yoga for Dancers class which she'll offer several times during the week. Bring a yoga mat if you have one and comfortable clothing if you'd like to join in.
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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