Country Dance and Song Society English & American Dance Week at Timber Ridge August 6 - 12, 2006

As of August 2, this week is starting with a few spaces available.

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Program Description Staff Class Descriptions & Schedule

English & American Dance Week at Timber Ridge August 6 - 12, 2006 Program Director: Mary Lea Staff: Daniel Beerbohm David Cantieni * John Devine Matthew Duveneck Brad Foster * Earl Gaddis Ralph Gordon Ellie Grace Leela Grace Lynne Mackey Robert Mills Beth Molaro Matthew Olwell George Penk Ann Percival * Jacqueline Schwab Kari Smith Bill Wellington * Advisors, plus: Lisa Greenleaf Steve Howe

Program Description: [Back to Top]

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

This program will share space and some classes with our concurrent Family Week .

This year we are moving to Timber Ridge Camp, nestled among the hills of West Virginia. The facility offers us a wide variety of spaces for our dance and music classes and many comfortable housing options. When not partaking of the full schedule of classes, you'll be able to relax next to the winding river, by the Olympic-size swimming pool or under a quiet tree. We're very pleased to be at this new camp and look forward to creating new traditions there.

The English and American dance program includes three English and three American country dance sessions, plus two ritual, two couple dance classes and a percussive dance class during the day. All of these classes are available to E&A participants as well as adults and teens from the Family Week. Leading the English country classes will be Brad Foster and Jacqueline Schwab, who will offer dances that range from complex to accessible to all and from recently-choreographed to old favorites. Beth Molaro, leading the American classes, will call dances for all, a class of challenging contras as well as one of hot squares. Kari Smith will teach Northwest morris and longsword for dancers of all levels. Rounding out the dance program is Matthew Duveneck's offerings of Argentine Tango, Western Swing and Cross-Step Waltz and Matthew Olwell's Percussive Dance class.

Music classes will include Harmony Singing with Ellie and Leela Grace, a band class with George Penk and David Cantieni and a session with Daniel Beerbohm for wind players.

Because we are sharing the time and space with Family Week, you may choose from a larger variety of other activities to round out your camp experience. These include Community Art, Beach Chairs: Stories and Handwork, Nature Walks, Sing for your Supper and Afternoon Story.

Morning Gathering will be held at 10:15am and then will be followed by another adult class period at 11:15 (see the schedule). The evening dance will begin at 7:15 with a Family Dance and Evening Gathering until 8:15 when the youngest children head off to bed. From 8:20 to 11pm there will be an evening dance party that includes couple dancing and both English country and American dances. Ten to twelve-year olds will participate in this dance until 9:30.

There are some wonderful spaces for after dance parties, honky-tonk and pub night festivities, conversations and games, singing and instrumental sessions. Timber Ridge as a facility has great potential, and I feel that this combination of programs promises to be a very special and exciting week. -- Mary Lea, Program Director

Staff: [Back to Top]

Daniel Beerbohm on clarinet, flute, and penny whistle, spices his English and contra dance playing from a rich background of swing, Klezmer, and classical music. He performs extensively with Hold The Mustard, A Joyful Noise, and Reunion, at dances along the East Coast and occasionally westward.

David Cantieni is a master of many instruments, whistle, Irish-style wooden flute, oboe, saxophone and more, and a founding member of both Wild Asparagus and Swallowtail. He is the consummate ensemble player who adds the special rhythmic accent or driving melody that raises the excitement bar on the dance floor. David is co-Program Director of Family Week.

John Devine's got one of the most beautiful voices you'll ever hear, and when he starts in on the guitar you've just got to dance. He brings a gentle power to all that he does, whether playing guitar, singing songs or tending his farm just over the ridge in northeast West Virginia.

Matthew Duveneck, now living in South Portland, ME, grew up folk dancing. Matthew finds a fine balance between his passion for morris dance, forest fire ecology and Argentine tango. During the last ten years he has focused much of his creative energy on couple dancing. He is also the co-founder of the informal music dance party "Ciderfest."

Brad Foster, Executive and Artistic Director of CDSS and a favorite caller of English country as well as contras and squares, has taught for over 35 years at numerous weekends, festivals and camps across the U.S., Canada and Europe. His love of dancing is something he shares joyfully with people of all ages.

Earl Gaddis, now living in Plainwell, MI, is a full-time dance musician, having played fiddle and viola for a mixture of English, Scottish, American and international dancing for nearly 40 years at dance camps, workshops and concert events throughout the U.S. and abroad. He is a member of Bare Necessities.

Ralph Gordon, on cello and bass, has knowledge of and experience with many styles of music. He has worked with many bands over the years and is one of the best all-around bass players in the dance world. With numerous recordings to his credit, Ralph has graced many a concert stage, dance camp and festival here and abroad.

Ellie Grace has always been singing and dancing -- touring and performing with her family's band since childhood. Ellie will teach a harmony singing class with her sister Leela and collaborate with Matthew Olwell on the percussive dance class.

Leela Grace has been singing and dancing forever. The Grace sisters have often collaborated on stage with spectacular results. Here, Leela will treat us to her old-time banjo style during the square dancing and join with Ellie teaching harmony singing.

Mary Lea has been playing violin and viola for dancing since 1977. She plays English with Bare Necessities, contras with Yankee Ingenuity and Crazy Quilt, South American music with Paradiso and a little of everything with Dark Carnival. She has performed at many dance camps and festivals and made numerous recordings over the years.

Lynne Mackey, by the age of 4, was playing piano by ear and by high school had progressed to entertaining at local hotel brunches. After conservatory she got back to playing by ear when she discovered the traditional music scene in Galax, WV. Lynne will share her heart and chops in the English dance band.

Robert Mills, of Pennington, NJ, has been playing piano and fiddle for contra dances and English dances for 20 years. He currently plays in the bands Fire Hazard and Rum & Onions where he is known for rhythmic and inventive playing. Robert also plays accordion for Millstone River Morris and does his best as foreman.

Beth Molaro, from Asheville, NC, is in demand as a caller and teacher for community dances large and small, for dance weekends and folk festivals. Beth is a very dynamic and exciting leader who calls high-energy squares and flowing contras. She is also a skilled and exuberant foot percussionist in the Appalachian flat-foot style.

Matthew Olwell, a Virginia native, grew up surrounded with music and dance. The whole family was involved with making wooden flutes. Later, Matthew spent several years performing and teaching with the well-known dance troupe, Footworks. .

George Penk, from Portland, OR, has been playing fiddle for 25 years for contra and English country dancing. In his quiet at home moments, he tends to favor Irish tunes. He is a rhythmic and lyrical player who propels and delights dancers and has performed primarily in the Northwest at camps and weekend events.

Ann Percival, pianist, guitarist and singer, erstwhile social worker and artist, grew up dancing. She is a founding member of Wild Asparagus and the O-Tones and is an exceptional dance musician for contras, squares and swing. She has in recent years found special enjoyment teaching visual arts and crafts. Ann is co-Program Director of Family Week.

Jacqueline Schwab, pianist and English dance leader, has done much to define the sound of English country dance music. Flow, drive, creativity and passion are her hallmarks and are evident in her many performances, concerts and recordings. A longtime dancer, Jacqueline plays and teaches English dance workshops with Bare Necessities around the country and abroad.

Kari Smith has been performing and teaching a variety of English and Anglo-American display dance traditions since 1985. She is foreman of Guiding Star Clog Morris. Currently, she is teaching teachers to use music and dance in the classroom and to use the arts to address needs in local communities.

English & American Dance Week at Timber Ridge click for tentative Detailed Combined Daily Schedule Tentative Schedule:
7:45 - 8:15 Breakfast
9:00 - 10:00 Class Period 1
Contras and Squares for All	Beth Molaro
English for Experienced Dancers	Brad Foster
Percussive Dance	Matthew Olwell, Ellie Grace
10:15 - 11:00
Morning Gathering
11:15 - 12:15 Class Period 2
Challenging Contras	Beth Molaro
Longsword	Kari Smith
Cross-step Waltz (M, W, F)	Matthew Duveneck
Western Swing (T, Th)	Matthew Duveneck
11:00 - 12:45 Swimming, Bookstore staffed
12:30 Lunch
1:45 - 2:45 Class Period 3
Contemporary English for All	Jacqueline Schwab
Dance Band	David Cantieni, George Penk
*Harmony Singing	Ellie and Leela Grace
*Community Art	Ann Percival, Kari Smith
*Afternoon Story	Bill Wellington
*Nature Walk for Everyone	Leslie Jeanne Milbourne
3:00 - 4:00 Class Period 4
Hot Squares	Beth Molaro
English Favorites for All	Brad Foster
Northwest Morris	Kari Smith
4:15 - 5:15 Class Period 5
Argentine Tango	Matthew Duveneck
*The Beach Chairs: Stories and Handwork	Betsy Blachly Chapin
A Musical Feast	Daniel Beerbohm
4:15 - 5:45 Swimming
4:45 - 5:45 Bookstore staffed
5:30 Sing For Your Supper
6:00 Dinner
7:15 Community Dance and Evening Gathering
8:20 - 11:00 Evening Dance Party
11:00 Optional After-dance Activities
* May include younger campers

Class Descriptions: [Back to Top]
All of these classes are for campers age 13 and up. There are additional options open to you described on Family Week.

Dance:

Contras and Squares for All -- Beth Molaro / George Penk, David Cantieni, Ann Percival, John Devine
Contras and squares to wake up the body; open to dancers of all levels.

Challenging Contras -- Beth Molaro / George Penk, Robert Mills, Matthew Olwell
A presentation of dances with a little extra complexity.

Hot Squares -- Beth Molaro / Mary Lea, Leela Grace, John Devine
Choice squares, many fast-paced, some challenging, always fun and certain to improve your timing and enjoyment.

English for Experienced Dancers -- Brad Foster / Earl Gaddis, Daniel Beerbohm, Jacqueline Schwab
For dancers who are already familiar with basic English country dance movement and style and who like more challenging dances.

English Favorites for All -- Brad Foster / Earl Gaddis, David Cantieni, Lynne Mackey
English country dance favorites new and old.

Contemporary English for All -- Jacqueline Schwab / Earl Gaddis, Ralph Gordon
A selection of recently-choreographed dances, reconstructions of older dances and other favorites.

Longsword -- Kari Smith / Daniel Beerbohm
Dances from northeastern England that combine intricate figures where dancers, linked by swords, move over, under and around one another. Movement style is energetic, driving and elegant, and the dancing requires collaboration and teamwork. For dancers of all levels.

Northwest Morris -- Kari Smith / Robert Mills
An exciting tradition of Morris dancing from industrial northwest England, at once vigorous and disciplined, with fancy footwork and a wide range of figures that capitalize on typically large sets of 8, 16 or more dancers. For dancers of all levels. Bring indoor NW clogs if you have them.

Percussive Dance -- Matthew Olwell, Ellie Grace
Foot percussion from many traditions. Both of these fabulous dancers are accomplished performers. We can't wait to see what they come up with!

Cross-step Waltz (M, W, F) -- Matthew Duveneck / Mary Lea, John Devine, Ralph Gordon
A workshop in cross-step waltz, vintage dance moves made popular by the Bay Area's Richard Powers. Particular emphasis will be on partnering skills, good leading and following. All levels welcome. Leather or suede soles necessary.

Western Swing (T, Th) -- Matthew Duveneck / Mary Lea, John Devine, Ralph Gordon
Western swing has foundations from East coast swing, two-step and polka. Matthew will teach a variety of partner-based swing dance styles found on the honky-tonk dance floors of the American West.

Argentine Tango -- Matthew Duveneck / Mary Lea, Jacqueline Schwab, Ralph Gordon
A class specifically aimed at those who are familiar with English and contra dance but might not know anything about tango. This dance form is considered by many partner dancers to be the ultimate form of creative dance. All levels are welcome! Shoes with leather or suede soles are necessary.

Music and Art:

Dance Band (13 and up) -- David Cantieni, George Penk
The plan is to start right in playing for dances. The band class will perform every evening during the community dance. We will work on style, rhythm and ensemble playing. This band may also be the core of the parade band for Friday's festivities.

*A Musical Feast -- Daniel Beerbohm
Come and taste music from a variety of styles and locations. We'll supply the parts to read, you bring your favorite instruments to play. There'll be classical, popular song, English Country dance and even some International Folk dance tunes, all in three-part harmony. Non-readers welcome, too!

*Harmony Singing -- Ellie and Leela Grace
The singing Grace sisters are back! Whether you're here to listen or to sing you'll be delighted. This is a class for singers of all abilities!

*There are more class offerings which could include younger campers and are more completely described in Family Week. These include:

Nature Walk for Everyone (all ages) -- Leslie Jeann Milbourne

Afternoon Story (all ages) -- Bill Wellington

Community Art (13 and up, 8-12 w/parent) -- Ann Percival and Kari Smith

The Beach Chairs: Stories and Handwork (all ages) -- Betsy Blachly Chapin

Sing For Your Supper (all ages) -- Staff

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/