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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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Class Descriptions & Schedule
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Family Week at Pinewoods July 28 - August 4, 2007 Program Director: Staff: Advisor: |
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 2007! Our outstanding, 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 16 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. All are filled with great ideas for the morning and afternoon sessions for both children and adults, as you can see below. Our musicians are the core group of members of two of the most requested dance bands for events on the east coast (the Avant Gardeners and Goldcrest) and they 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. Learn origami or another new weaving craft with Megan Hicks and Kathleen Vetter. Let Megan weave her wonderful stories around your heart. Relax with yoga or be easy with Alexander Technique. Sing in harmony with Susie Petrov 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 with Seth Tepfer and Brad Foster. 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.
Whether this is your first time at camp, or your 21st -- we will welcome you to a magical week at Pinewoods! -- Robbin Schaffer, Program Director
Daron Douglas, again living in New Orleans, is a fine fiddler for American and English dance traditions. Daron also brings a rich repertoire of songs from her great-grandmother, who was one of Cecil Sharp's informants in the southern mountains.
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.
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.
Megan Hicks writes, tells stories and makes art in Fredericksburg, VA. Storytelling has taken her as far as Providence, Punxsutawney, the Pacific Northwest and Perth (Western Australia). Mostly, though, she performs throughout the mid-Atlantic. In her studio at LibertyTown Arts Workshop she makes and teaches origami and "funktional folk art." personal website Liberty Arts website
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 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 nearly 20 years, Valerie currently teaches at two wonderful elementary schools in Vermont and conducts the Main Street Children's Chorus.
Laura Light has been playing fiddle for dances, festivals and various celebratory occasions for 30 years. A true American hybrid, her repertoire includes Southern 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
Owen Morrison has been lucky enough to play and dance at Pinewoods nearly every year of his life. He began playing guitar for contras when he was 15 and hasn't looked back. In 2006 Owen earned a degree in music from Guilford College and is now a full-time guitarist based in Nashville, TN.
Paul Oorts, a Belgian native, displays his musical versatility on things with strings and on musette accordion. He plays Celtic and continental European repertoire in duo with his wife, Karen Ashbrook, as well as English, Scottish, vintage and contra with Goldcrest and various DC area bands.
George Paul comes to contra music via a long musical road including classical training and jazz clubs in California, blues and country bands in the Pacific Northwest and finally Irish sessions and contra dances in Anchorage, AK. 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!"
Susie Petrov has been teaching and playing for Scottish dances ever since her first paying gig at Pinewoods Scottish session in 1980 and plays for Scottish, American and English dances with her U.S. band, Local Hero. She teaches students in kindergarten through Grade 9 to sing, dance, play games, act in plays and generally to be nice to each other and she also teaches music teachers at the Kodaly Music Institute at New England Conservatory. She has published 8 recordings and 2 books of Scottish tunes and songs.
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.
Diane Shaw rejoins us 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 currently is squire and bag lady for Charm City Rapper and performs with a modern dance troupe. Recently, she returned to teaching children science and leads an elementary school level ritual dance and longsword group.
Seth Tepfer is "Atlanta's Dance Magician," calling dances for adults and children like you've never seen before. Known for his infectious energy and his short walkthroughs, his enthusiasm is contagious. He gets everyone moving, smiling and having a great time. Whether squares, contras or other folk dances, you can be certain that novices and experienced dancers alike will amble away happy.
Kathleen Vetter draws on many years of experience as a kindergarten teacher, and as creator of the Mill Hollow Camp, a community camp that she ran out of her home in rural New Hampshire while 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 and she sings with the River Singers in Saxton's River, VT.
Pianist Dave Wiesler began his musical journey as the "guy who could figure out the chords" in his high school garage band. Nearly 20 years later he discovered playing folk music for dances and felt that the job description had been written just for him. At home in a wide range of styles, Dave is in demand for contra, English and Scottish country dancing, swing, waltz, and vintage dance, and he has played at festivals and camps across the country as well as in Canada, Scotland, England and France. He is a prolific composer of tunes and songs and is also a capable guitarist and singer. He presently lives in Newark, DE, with his wife and young son, and two beloved cats.
| 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 - 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
The 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
Jump, dance, play, sing, act, CREATE! Morning Magic with Valerie Kosednar will begin each day with all of the pleasures of music making including singing, dancing, playing instruments and creative movement. In the afternoons, with Megan Hicks, 4-5s will have their hands full of found and reappropriated materials to turn into art. We'll have fun with the process of making. There will be cool stuff to take home. Bring a big shirt you can get paint on.
Ages 6 and 7
Dance in the morning with Seth Tepfer and music by Owen Morrison and George Paul. In the afternoon, drumming, stories and song with Valerie Kosednar is a musical journey using drums and a variety of instruments to accompany games, stories and songs. Small djembe drums and a diverse collection of rhythm instruments provided (or bring your own if you wish)!
Ages 8 and 9
Explore nature with Andy Kane in the morning. In the afternoon, Susie Petrov's longsword class will feature traditional figures and new moves derived from the Ampleforth tradition. Calling-on songs and team-building singing games will also be part of the daily offering.
Ages 10 to 12
In the morning, the 10-12s will travel as far as their collective energy can take them. Susie Petrov anticipates a fun journey of singing, dancing and playing games. After warming up with a game, they will make sure they are prepared for the evening dance and challenge themselves to make some beautiful music together. In the afternoon join Diane Shaw with music by Paul Oorts -- grab your sticks and stomp your feet. Starting with simple border morris and slashing into other sticky and stickish stuff. Helmets not required, but watch for things that go thump in the woods.
Ages 13 and up Morning classes (9:00 - 9:55)
English -- Brad Foster / Daron Douglas, Ralph Gordon, Dave Wiesler, Paul Oorts
Appalachian Clog -- Diane Shaw / Laura Light, Owen Morrison
The basics of Appalachian step dancing practiced as a solo percussive instrument at three ability levels and choreographed into a dance piece of movement and percussive expression. Bring sturdy leather-soled or other stiff-soled shoes. Please no taps.
Ages 13 and up Afternoon classes (2:45 - 3:40)
Contras and Squares -- Seth Tepfer / Laura Light, Owen Morrison, George Paul, Ralph Gordon
Couple Dance -- Brad Foster / Daron Douglas, Dave Wiesler
The Early Afternoon Classes (1:35 - 2:30)
Crafts (8 and up, younger / parent) -- Megan Hicks, Kathleen Vetter
Kathleen and Megan teach folk art projects utilizing natural and found materials: Corn husk dolls, wheatstraw ornaments, origami action toys and soda bottle bouquets. Bring a paint shirt. We might get a little bit messy.
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
This year we will start with a traditional mummers script and add in Family Week humor to make it our own. Come with big voices and a playful spirit. We will perform our play for the whole camp as part of the last day's festivities.
Singing (13 and up) -- Susie Petrov
This class will be inspired by the wonderful sounds of the camp. Everyone is welcome to join the chorus of voices. Singing in parts is excellent training for the brain. Our repertoire will take us on an exciting trip around the world and back through time.
Yoga (13 and up) -- Diane Shaw, Kathleen Vetter
We are pleased to announce that yoga will be a regularly scheduled daily class this year. Taught by Kathleen Vetter and Diane Shaw, both certified yoga instructors, the class will relax you during quiet time and energize you for the rest of the day.
Advanced Napping For as Many as Will
The Late Afternoon Class (3:50 - 4:40)
Rapper (13 and up) -- Diane Shaw / Daron Douglas
A rapper class for all levels (experienced dancers appreciated). The goal is to create a unique dance from traditional rapper figures. Focus will be on integrating all levels of dancers into the fun, footwork and flamboyant swordwork of this English ritual dance form.
Alexander Technique -- 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.
Stories on the Porch -- Megan Hicks (4:45 - 5:15)
Everybody's invited to the Camphouse Porch for stories each afternoon. Fairy tales intact and fractured, origami "stories in-creasing," tales of underdogs who come out on top and a dash of Poetry Out Loud.
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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