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Country Dance and Song SocietyFamily Week 1 at Ogontz
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Country Dance and Song SocietyFamily Week 1 at Ogontz
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Family Week 1 at Ogontz July 28 - August 4, 2007 Program Directors: Staff: * Advisor, plus: |
Program Description: [Back to Top]
Look up our Family Programs for some general information; here is more detail about this particular program and staff.
Oh how happy we are that we found Ogontz Family Week! It is a magical week in the beautiful New Hampshire mountains where the sounds of families dancing, singing and playing together echo down the green fields to the crystal clear lake and across to the magnificent mountains surrounding us. Families learn and play in age-group classes and then come together throughout each day to share stories, songs, dance and laughter -- so much laughter!
At Ogontz, simple moments of joy combine to create a week of memories: children of all ages building fairy houses under a massive tree, playing games in the great field, swinging on the swings and learning new songs, dances and traditions from their gentle and talented teachers. Weave in campers sharing funny stories, a lovely song or instrumental piece at Morning Gathering; friends, old and new, performing a skit to delight us in the evening; Donald's stories bringing us all together at the Green Chairs; and the wonder of Alpenhorns played by our dedicated and generous hosts, the Kent family. From belly aching laughter to moments of gentle warmth and kindness, this week promises to weave magic into our lives!
The staff at this year's Family Week 1 includes familiar favorites and welcomes exciting new faces to Ogontz. Musical magic will be created by Dave Langford, Steve Hickman, Karen Axelrod and Peter Barnes. Joining them this year will be Matthew Olwell, foot percussionist and flute-player extraordinaire! Just wait until you see the power and excitement he'll bring to teaching the adult foot percussion class and to an afternoon rhythm and dance workshop! Steve Zakon-Anderson, a fun and talented American dance caller, will weave the evening dances together with Michael Cicone, new to Ogontz but a favorite of English country dancers over the last 20 years. Michael will bring his amazing hammered dulcimer playing and professional folk-singing talents to share as well! And thinking about singing? We welcome back Jeanne Morrill who will lead us in a daily Song Swap. Bring your favorite songs to share! Suzannah Park will enthrall us with her powerful harmony-singing workshop, as she weaves together styles from Appalachia, the Balkans, Africa and other traditions. The teens at camp will be thrilled to have her back to lead a special workshop just for, and created with, them. More weaving magic will happen in Anne Goodwin's daily crafts class as she teaches us the art and quiet pleasure of making paper baskets, while Bettie Zakon-Anderson brings weaving and other fiber arts to camp. Laurie Cumming and John Mayberry will bring ritual traditions to the week with longsword and morris dancing, and John will work his magic, skillfully weaving together your ideas for a great mummers play! DeLaura Padovan will enchant and teach us as we dance and sing together at each evening's Community Dance. And, just as Donald Davis weaves us all together with his stories at the Green Chairs, Merle Davis will gently, sweetly weave together all the many, magical moments of each day at our Evening Gatherings.
We'll celebrate the week with a grand costume parade and sharing of all we've created together: a woven masterpiece of community, talent, humor and joyful noise! And the campers -- you are the most important threads in it all. It is your stories, your talents, your music, your feet and shared voices that will weave together this wonderful week! Our boys have already started packing! Come and join us! -- Bettie and Steve Zakon-Anderson, Program Directors
Karen Axelrod plays piano for English, American and Scottish dances and has been on staff at numerous dance events around the country, including CDSS camps, Monte Toyon and Berea. Highly regarded for her creative and rich piano accompaniment, Karen also plays accordion for Orion Longsword. When not playing music, she performs with the improv comedy troupe, the Villa Jidiots and makes jewelry. Karen will share her music, as well as her great humor and improv talents at this week's Morning Gathering, encouraging campers to share and make our bellies ache with laughter!
Peter Barnes, enthralled by dance music since birth, has been putting sparks under people's feet for over 30 years playing piano, flute, whistle, guitar and assorted other instruments. He has published four dance music books, toured 12 countries and appeared on over 50 recordings. He plays for English country, contra, square and vintage dancing and has played for festivals and tours from Prague to Hawaii. He works with the bands Bare Necessities, The Latter Day Lizards, Yankee Ingenuity, Big Bandemonium, singer Cathie Ryan and as a member of The Dactyls for the NPR radio program Says You! (but his current passions are playing the oboe and making whistles!).
Michael Cicone first learned traditional English country, morris, and court dance in 1980 as a performer in the green show at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival in Ashland, Oregon, where he worked with Carl Wittman. He has been leading English country dance ever since, teaching at regular dances and camps in Boston and western Massachusetts, Albany, Hartford and Philadelphia, as well as Early Music and English & American weeks at Pinewoods, Heather and Rose weekends in Sisters, Oregon, and dance weekends in Seattle and Monte Toyon, CA. Michael also regularly performs as a musician and choreographer for Christmas Revels productions in Hanover, NH and Boston, MA. He sings and plays hammered dulcimer with the popular folk trio Kallet, Epstein and Cicone, and performs world folk and original music in an instrumental duo with Susan Robbins.
Laurie Cumming, a founding member and former teacher of Toronto Women's Sword and an accomplished step-dancer, has taught dance at numerous camps, schools and festivals. During the school year, she delights in teaching 5th and 6th grade students as much dance and drama as she can squeeze into the regular classroom studies. Laurie will teach a longsword class at Ogontz this summer, and we hope she'll show us a little of that Canadian step-dancing too!
Donald Davis is a superb storyteller who traces his stories to his memories of growing up in the southern Appalachians. He is happiest when his stories remind you of your stories. Donald will offer a storytelling workshop and will teach the 8-9's morning class. His daily storytelling at the Green Chairs is one of the highlights of camp!
Merle Davis has brought her teaching, theatre arts and crafts talents to Ocracoke Island's school and to family dance camps for years. This summer she'll share her warmth and talents with a special early afternoon class for children 6 years old and under with their parent(s) and with the 2-4 year olds in the late afternoon class time. We'll all get to absorb her sunny personality at each Evening Gathering.
Anne Goodwin has recorded two CDs with the a cappella quartet Taproot and has sung with the Balkan ensemble Laduvane, the Festival of Light and Song and many other groups in the Boston area. She has worked in children's theatre as an actress, costume designer and director and has taught art and drama for children in various community settings, at family weeks at Pinewoods and Ogontz camps and at Christmas Country Dance School in Berea, KY. Anne will share her artistic talents at this week's family camp by teaching us paper basket weaving in the early afternoon crafts class. She'll start the community building at camp by helping us create cabin signs -- a fun way for us all to get to know each other just a little faster!
Steve Hickman is a world-class fiddler and has toured internationally with groups including the Fiddle Puppet dancers and Childsplay. He is dedicated to the family homestead south of our nation's capital and has been known to strap on his headlamp and weed the garden to wind down late at night after an evening of music. In addition to playing for dances, Steve will lead the family dance band class and get the band playing for the Community Dances early in the week! We're sure he'll share his hambone virtuosity with us, as well as his deep well of kindness and humor.
Dave Langford is an experienced and versatile fiddler, guitarist and fiddle teacher from the Boston area. A veteran of over 20 years of playing for all manner of dance events, Dave combines multiple styles of fiddling with fierce energy and drive. Dave is featured on recordings of the "mega-fiddle-band" Childsplay and currently plays in several musical configurations including The Latter Day Lizards with Bill Tomczak and Peter Barnes.
John Mayberry went to his first dance at two weeks old, carried in a basket. His love of dance, music, performance and craft has led to a career including carpentry, performance, writing, teaching, directing and almost everything else. He is the Fool of the Toronto Morris Men, a traditional singer, an experienced street theater and mumming performer and a professor of theatre production in the Department of Theatre, York University, Toronto. A high point of last year was dancing with the Toronto Morris Men in the Carnival Parade in Santiago de Cuba. He will be sharing his morris dance experience with the 10-12s and guiding the creation of the mummers play this week.
Jeanne Morrill received musical training from Boston University, School for the Arts, New England Conservatory and in Scotland studying both Gaelic language and song. She has received enthusiastic acclaim in concerts, festivals and Scottish and Irish events and performs frequently with Peter Barnes. She has performed with other artists such as Seamus Connolly, Alistair Fraser, Aine Minogue, Kim Robertson and Jacqueline Schwab and has two solo recordings. She teaches voice and piano and gives frequent workshops to adults and children. Jeanne will lead us in a daily Song Swap after Morning Gathering and will share her talents with fiber in the early afternoon, working with Bettie and Anne.
Matthew Olwell, a Virginia native, grew up surrounded with music and dance. Much of his childhood was spent at festivals, traveling as part of his family's wooden flute-making business. Matthew spent nine years performing and teaching with the well-known dance troupe Footworks. We're excited to welcome Matthew to his first week at Ogontz where he'll teach percussive dance in the morning, the 8-9's class and the exciting Rhythm and Dance in the late afternoon. He'll join in for the evening dances on flute and percussion.
DeLaura Padovan is as vibrant as a song and as sturdy as the goats on her Virginia farm. She is a family dance leader, singer and organic farmer, as well as one of the pioneers of living life the best way possible, which includes singing, calling, signing and creating one thing out of another. She will light up the days for the lucky 2-4s in the morning and the 5-7 year olds in the afternoon with song, dance and crafts and will weave us all together with delight at the Community Dance each evening.
Suzannah Park comes from a family of four generations of ballad singers and storytellers and has been performing Appalachian folk music most of her life. Her interest in the performance and study of traditional music of all kinds has taken her from music-filled kitchens to concert halls across the U.S. and Europe. She performs and tours with Village Harmony and is known for her powerful voice and striking harmonies, as well as her ability to inspire others with her love of music and sparkling personality. A delightful force at camp, she will play and sing with the 5-7 year olds, inspire the teenagers with a special class dedicated to their age-group and will lead a not-to-be-missed harmony-singing workshop in the late afternoon.
Bettie Zakon-Anderson has taught many couple dance styles at camps and weekends throughout the U.S. with her husband Steve. She spent many years working as a professional weaver and member of the League of New Hampshire Craftsmen and various artist cooperatives and galleries. She and Steve will offer some one-shot couples dance workshops and, in the early afternoon, Bettie will share her passion as you try your hand at various fiber arts from around the world, including weaving, knitting, Japanese kumihimo braiding and felting.
Steve Zakon-Anderson has been calling contras and teaching dance workshops for over 25 years. He has performed at dance camps and festivals in 36 states, including Pinewoods, Ogontz, Buffalo Gap, Lady of the Lake, Augusta and Brasstown. Steve's clear teaching, energetic calling and sense of humor have made him a favorite of dancers of all ages and abilities. He'll be our American dance caller, contra workshop leader and will lead a dance workshop for the 10-12 year olds, including a bit of dance writing and calling and even some waltzing tips. He and Bettie will offer some one-shot couples dance workshops as well.
| Family Week 1 at Ogontz Daily Schedule click for tentative Detailed Daily Schedule |
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| 7:45 - 8:30 | Breakfast |
| 9:00 - 9:55 | Morning classes, divided by age group |
| 10:00 | Refreshments |
| 10:15 - 11:00 | Morning Gathering |
| 11:00 - 12:15 11:00 - 11:45 |
Swimming, Bookstore staffed and/or Late Morning Classes |
| 12:15 | Lunch |
| 12:45 - 1:15 | Bookstore staffed |
| 1:30 - 2:25 | Early afternoon classes / Rest time |
| 2:35 - 3:30 | Afternoon classes, divided by age group |
| 3:30 | Refreshments |
| 3:40 - 4:40 | Swimming, Late afternoon classes |
| 4:55 - 5:30 | Stories at the Green Chairs |
| 5:50 | Dinner |
| 7:15 | Community Dance |
| 7:45 - 8:30 | Evening Gathering |
| 8:15 | Pied Piper / Bedtime for children 9 and younger |
| 8:30 - 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 2:35
Ages 2 - 4
Stories, songs, movement, rhythms and projects! These tiny campers will have a wonderful time with the caring presence of DeLaura in the morning and Merle in the afternoon.
Ages 5 - 7
These lucky children will enjoy the magic of Suzannah in the morning and DeLaura in the afternoon. Songs, games, crafts, dancing! What fun they'll have learning and doing!
Ages 8 and 9
Donald is sure to keep these kids' minds and imaginations busy in the morning and Matthew teaches percussive dance, hambone and basic body rhythm fun in the afternoon.
Ages 10 to 12
Steve Z. will lead these young dancers in American contra dance style and will get them writing and calling dances, too! With Peter on piano or flute, it will be great! In the afternoon they'll leap along with John in a morris dance class. Will they have the energy to dance at the evening dance? We think so!
Ages 13 and up Morning classes (9:00 - 9:55)
English Country Dancing -- Michael Cicone / Dave Langford, Karen Axelrod
Some old, some new, flowing and delightful taught in Michael's clear and engaging style with two great musicians to help you move so gracefully.
Percussive Dance -- Matthew Olwell / Steve Hickman
Foot percussion from the Appalachian clogging tradition, Matthew will have you feeling the beat and moving your feet.
Ages 13 and up Afternoon classes (2:35 - 3:30)
American Dance -- Steve Zakon-Anderson / Peter Barnes, Dave Langford
Steve is known for his clear teaching, great sense of humor and wonderful selection of dances that will be fun and even educational! With Dave and Peter providing the music, you'll feel the magic!
Longsword -- Laurie Cumming / Michael Cicone
Learn an elegant traditional dance with one of the best longsword teachers we know. This time, dance it to Michael's hammered dulcimer accompaniment! You'll move like never before!
Late Morning Classes (11:00 - 11:45)
Song Swap (13 and up) -- Jeanne Morrill
Jeanne's class will start the singing that's sure to continue throughout the day! Bring your favorites to share and learn some new ones as the week goes by. With all the fine singers at camp, this should be a great time!
One Shots -- Staff and camper-led variety
This is a great opportunity for campers to share their talents! Bettie and Steve will use this time to offer a one-shot class in turning waltz and/or hambo. Bring your ideas and lead a class too!
Swimming and Bookstore staffed (11:00 – 12:15)
Enjoy the beauty of Ogontz Lake and peruse the recorded talents for sale at the CDSS bookstore (also open 12:45-1:15).
The Early Afternoon Classes (1:30 - 2:25)
Napping and resting (99 and under)
A great time to relax and recharge! Also, family walks exploring camp are great!
Quiet Story Time (6 and under with parent) -- Merle Davis
Merle will lead a gentle, quiet time for parents and younger children. Restful stories, simple crafts, quiet songs.
Paper Baskets and Other Marvels (8 and up, 6-7 with parent) -- Anne Goodwin and Jeanne Morrill
Colorful, creative and durable baskets can be made from paper and cardboard! We begin by painting large pieces of paper and then cutting it into strips to make baskets. We will then use traditional weaving techniques to create our own unique baskets. A coat of finish at the end makes then surprisingly sturdy. The basic technique is easy. You can make a small, simple basket or follow your imagination to a major work of art. We may also do some quick projects like paper fish kites and other marvels.
Fiber Arts (8 and up, 6-7 with parent) -- Bettie Zakon-Anderson and Jeanne Morrill
This week is all about weaving – weaving paper with Anne, weaving stories with Donald, weaving music and song and dance into our lives. We might as well tangle up some fibers too! Various fiber arts will be introduced, including weaving, knitting, Japanese kumihimo braiding and felting.
Family Dance Band (8 and up) -- Steve Hickman
Learn great tunes by ear with one of the most versatile and entertaining musicians around. We'll look forward to dancing to your tunes at the Community Dance!
Storytelling Traditions (10 and up) -- Donald Davis
Stories and songs the way they've been passed along through the ages .... a folkloric journey.
Teen Class (13-19) -- Suzannah Park
Music, dance, art -- we'll weave it all together to create a show. It'll be a collaborative adventure!
The Late Afternoon Classes (3:40 - 4:40)
Mumming (8 and up) -- John Mayberry
Create this year's original, devised play in the mumming tradition with leader extraordinaire, John Mayberry.
Rhythm and Dance (10 and up) -- Matthew Olwell
Whether found in a plastic bucket, a wooden drawer or just our own hands and feet, rhythm is the name of the game. We will have a great time while immersing ourselves in the world of the beat.
Harmony Singing (13 and up) -- Suzannah Park
We'll sing in two, three and four-part harmony, drawing from Appalachian harmony singing, gospel songs and Bulgarian village music. No sight-reading skills are required – just a love of singing.
Swimming
A great way to cool off after a busy day!
At the Green Chairs -- Donald Davis (4:55 - 5:30)
The whole camp gathers together at the Green Chairs to listen while Donald weaves glorious tales before dinner.
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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