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Country Dance and Song SocietyFamily Week at Timber Ridge
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Country Dance and Song SocietyFamily Week at Timber Ridge
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Family Week at Timber Ridge August 12 - 19, 2007 Program Directors: Staff: * Advisors, 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.
Timber Ridge! August 12th seems so far away. Wouldn't you like to be there now? This spacious camp with it's wide vistas, Olympic size pool, multiple art, music and dance spaces is cradled in the West Virginia mountains on a bend of the Cacapon River. We like to think of this week as a grand experiment. Whatever we plan, when it becomes reality it's always beyond anything we can ever imagine. This year, the second at Timber Ridge, we are once again combining Family Week with English & American Dance Week. This expands the opportunities in a very exciting way. The combined program encourages a stimulating interaction between the two groups. Families will get more and higher quality dancing and music workshops. The E&A folks will get to enjoy the vitality, creativity and joie de vivre of the younger generation.
Our Family Week program continues the tradition of building a community of families learning and playing together. Each day is punctuated by morning and evening gatherings where the community meets to share in song and dance as well as skits, art projects or to perform in an impromptu circus act. The evening gathering always includes a story followed by the bound-for-bed procession of younger children following the pied piper.
The offerings include the whole English & American Week program as well as a brand new Teachers Training Course led by Betsy Blachly Chapin. So if you are a teen or adult who wants a more extensive roster of dance opportunities or if you'd like to learn to bring dance and music into your classroom, you'll be well satisfied. Ritual, couple dance, percussive dance, as well as multiple contra, English and square dance classes all make a fabulous smorgasbord of dance activity. We are also encouraging more instrumental playing this year. Besides the (un)usual band class, lead by David Cantieni and the enchanting Ralph Gordon, we are scheduling times for repertoire sessions, open band / open mic as well as jams of different sorts. There is opportunity to be part of the late night stage band if you are old enough.
During the week there are many opportunities for campers and staff to show and tell -- whether it's sharing a previously undiscovered talent or a particularly beautiful song -- there is a venue for it. If you'd like to get your hands dirty in good company, come to Community Art. The Harmony Singing and Song Kitchen will take care of your singing urges and on Friday comes a grand parade featuring costumes, the festival parade band, side shows and games. What fun!
All week you'll find good company and superb song, art, dance, nature walks and music everywhere. Our staff are leaders. Each one brings a level of expertise and commitment that is hard to find in the "real world." So grab your coat -- don't forget your hat -- leave your worries on the door step... just direct your feet or your car or however you travel to Camp Timber Ridge this August. We'll see you there! -- Ann Percival and David Cantieni, Program Directors
Mary Alice Amidon will be lifting up her voice with us once again -- leading several of the children's classes and a harmony singing class with Peter. Mary Alice comes with her gift of songs, stories and her many years as a music educator. Word is that she's working on her own solo recording. We hope it's done and available by August.
Peter Amidon has gone from cheer leading in college to coiling ropes on a navy destroyer to working in a mental hospital to becoming one of the leading music and dance icons of Brattleboro, VT? You should ask Peter about this, he might know. Otherwise, you can enjoy Peter as he tells stories, leads dances and collaborates with Mary Alice in the harmony singing class.
Kathy Anderson has been playing old-time music for years and calling since 1982, with squares a specialty. Known for her great energy and humor, she has an unerring eye for dances that incorporate good flow and unusual figures. Quick, clear teaching is a hallmark of her style, and she knows how to connect the music, rhythm and dancers' energy. Kathy has called extensively and is equally at home at local dances, weekend, dance week or international events.
Karen Axelrod plays piano for English, American and Scottish dance and has been on staff at numerous dance events around the country for many years. She is highly regarded for her creative and rich piano accompaniment. She also plays accordion for the renowned longsword team, Orion Longsword and piano with the bands Foxfire and Woodlark. A professional dog walker -- with a PhD in dog walking from a highly respected internet correspondence school, Karen occasionally appears with the comedy improvisation troupe, the Villa Jidiots.
David Cantieni, primarily an Irish-style wooden flute player, switched from playing classical music on the oboe more than 20 years ago. He began playing for contra dances with such bands as Swallowtail and Wild Asparagus. The love of music and dance infuses all of David's many activities, which might include rebuilding a1955 Ford 850 tractor or playing the bombarde while leading a parade of costumed campers at family dance camp.
Betsy Blachly Chapin is there for the children. Singing with children is what makes her happiest. Betsy is a master music teacher at Bank Street School in New York City and a freelance timpanist. She will lead a children's class and also the new Teachers Training Course offered to a pre-registered group. We are honored to have her back.
Henry Chapin may treat us to a vaudeville style swing ballad or an old-time tune on the fiddle. He can show us how the old English tradition of mumming continues to provide us with a fresh outlet for fun, satire and social commentary. Bring it on Henry!
John Devine is much loved by the Family Week community. He has 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.
Sue Dupre, based in central New Jersey, has been calling contra, square and English country dances for over 24 years. Sue has been a featured performer at various festivals, many dance weekends and summer dance camps. Sue is known for enthusiasm and good humor, for an extensive repertoire representing the best of the old and the new, for clear and efficient teaching, for a rhythmic calling style and for her work with novice dancers. She is also passionately devoted to the promotion and performance of historic English ritual and ceremonial dances in American communities. She is the founder and foreman of the first American molly dance team, Handsome Molly and, for many years, has directed the mumming troupe, General Mercer's Mummers.
Jan Elliott has been involved with many morris and sword teams in her 30 years of dancing. She has founded teams, taught, played and helped devise new dances, working with both adults and children. Her current sword team, the Vineyard Swordfish, has recently spawned an all-teen group, Clownfish Rapper. The fast-paced border morris style she teaches comes mainly from Rogue Morris of Oxford, England. Jan is an experienced accompanist for many styles of dance, including English country dance; she plays for an English dance series on Cape Cod, where she also performs with a number of early music and folk music groups. When not performing, she teaches recorder, pennywhistle and concertina to all ages in her home studio in Woods Hole, MA.
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.
Ethan Hazzard-Watkins began dancing and playing fiddle for contra and English dances while growing up in Amherst, MA. Since graduating from Macalester College in 2001 Ethan has traveled the U.S. and Europe playing traditional music for dances, concerts and sessions and has played on street corners and subway platforms far and wide. Like any good New England fiddler he enjoys stealing repertoire from a variety of traditions, although he is particularly fond of Irish music. Ethan is also an avid composer of fiddle tunes and currently resides in the music ghetto of Brattleboro, VT. Personal Webpage
Steve Hickman is a world class fiddler and has toured internationally with various groups and performers including the Fiddle Puppet dancers and Childsplay. He is dedicated to the family homestead south of our nation's capital. Steve has been known to strap on his head lamp and weed the garden to wind down late at night after an evening of music. We expect we'll be enjoying Steve's music this week rather than his weeding abilities.
Mary Lea has played 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. Mary is Program Director of English & American Dance Week.
Leslie Jeanne Milbourne's nature walks and observations help us appreciate the immediate camp surroundings. She is mindful of our surroundings, filled with the quiet intensity of one who is listening with all her being. She, John Devine and daughter Chanaya, share a patch of earth just down the road.
Elvie Miller spent her childhood in New Hampshire surrounded by folk music and dance. With a strong background in classical piano, she began playing for contra dances in her early teens and since then has performed and taught contra dance music across the country. Currently touring with Night Watch and Airdance, she contributes driving and spunky rhythm and energy on both piano and accordion. She recently spent a year as a Watson Fellow tracing the origins of contra dance music across five northern European countries. Elvie is also a professional weaver and resides in Boston.
Gene Murrow has been an English country dancer and musician since 1965 and has taught and called at clubs, workshops, festivals and balls throughout the U.S. as well as Britain, Europe and Japan since 1988. In 1996, he organized the Amherst Assembly, a week-long conference devoted to a scholarly and practical look at the origins and evolution of the country dance. Sought out for his deep understanding of both music and dance and for his exceptional clarity when teaching, Gene has written a resource guide and training curriculum on musicianship for English country dance teachers and, in his latest venture, toured Japan for two weeks teaching ECD workshops. He has also performed on four recordings as a member of MGM, produced the CDS Boston English Country Dance series featuring Bare Necessities and served on the Board of Directors of CDSS and Early Music America. The list could go on. Needless to say, we are very fortunate to have him on staff this summer!
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. Matthew is an accomplished performer, teacher and all around good camper. We're excited to welcome Matthew back!
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.
Anna Patton plays dance tunes on clarinet with great verve, clarity and harmonic whim. Besides English and American dance music, her repertoire includes Balkan tunes, Brazilian choros and early jazz. Based in Brattleboro, VT, Anna has spent much of her young life on tour in the States and abroad singing or playing for dancers, concert goers and pedestrians.
Ann Percival, the minister of fun, artist, musician, social worker and once more Family Week co-coordinator. She grew up dancing. Her Norwegian grandparents took her dancing at the Sons of Norway hall in Brooklyn. Ann is at her best doing art with children. Or is it singing one of her many singalongs? This year there will be plenty of both and the mazurka too!
| Family Week at Timber Ridge Daily Schedule click for tentative Detailed Daily Schedule | |
| 7:45 - 8:15 | Breakfast |
| 9:00 - 10:00 | Morning classes, divided by age group |
| 10:00 | Refreshments |
| 10:15 - 11:00 | Family Gathering |
| 11:00 - 12:45 11:15 - 12:15 |
Swimming, Bookstore staffed and/or Late morning class, 13 and up |
| 12:30 | Lunch |
| 1:45 - 2:45 | Early afternoon classes / Rest time |
| 3:00 - 4:00 | Afternoon classes, divided by age group |
| 4:15 - 5:45 4:15 - 5:15 |
Swimming and/or Late afternoon classes |
| 4:45 - 5:45 | Bookstore staffed |
| 5:30 - 6:00 | Sing For Your Supper |
| 6:00 | Dinner |
| 7:15 - 7:45 | Community Dance |
| 7:45 - 8:15 | All Camp Gathering |
| 8:15 | Pied Piper / Bedtime for children 9 and younger |
| 8:30 - 11:00 | Evening Dance Party |
| 9:30 | Bedtime for 10-12 year olds |
| 11:00 | Optional after-dance activities/parties |
Class Descriptions: [Back to Top]
Children attend classes by age group at 9:00am and 3:00pm, while those 13-adult attend the class of their choice. All children are expected to attend class during the age group times.
Children's classes by age group -- 9:00 and 3:00
Ages 2 and 3
A wonderful combo: Morning class with DeLaura Padovan, making things and singing songs. Afternoons with Leslie Jeanne Milbourne telling stories and helping our young ones explore the out-of-doors.
Ages 4 and 5
Mornings with Betsy Blachly Chapin features singing, dancing and playing with her carload of musical instruments. Afternoon with Mary Alice Amidon include her singing storybooks. What Fun!
Ages 6 and 7
Morning class, with Mary Alice Amidon, will share favorite songs and stories. Dancing and singing, crafting and making merry are on the menu for afternoons with DeLaura Padovan.
Ages 8 and 9
Flora and fauna, crafts and more with Leslie Jeanne Milbourne in the morning. Peter Amidon continues in the afternoon with longsword and some simple contra dances.
Ages 10 to 12
Peter Amidon often begins the day for the 10-12s with a story followed by some contra dancing. What will they dance to this year? In the afternoon Matthew Olwell leads them in percussive dance and rhythm games of all sorts.
Ages 13 and up Morning classes (9:00-10:00)
Contras and Squares for All -- Kathy Anderson / Ethan Hazzard-Watkins, David Cantieni, John Devine, Ann Percival, Matthew Olwell
Contras and squares to wake up the body; open to dancers of all levels.
Experienced English: English Country Dances from English Choreographers -- Gene Murrow / Mary Lea, Anna Patton, Karen Axelrod
For more experienced dancers -- modern dances composed by English choreographers including Charles Bolton, Colin Hume and others.
Ages 13 and up 2nd Morning classes (11:15 - 12:15)
There are classes offered by English & American Week which are concurrent with swimming period. Families need to attend to their children first but, if free, teens and parents may take a class at this time. The space near the pool offers shaded spots to gather -- and the playing fields are close by.
Early Afternoon Classes (1:45 - 2:45)
Many of these classes offer a chance for families to do something together.
Napping/Resting (99 and under)
Highly respected!
Nature Walk for Everyone (all ages) -- Leslie Jeanne Milbourne
Explore the neighborhood with our resident naturalist.
Community Art (13 and up, 8-12 w / parent) -- Ann Percival, DeLaura Padovan
Back by popular demand! Join us in the Timber Ridge art studio as we create, talk and laugh together. Leave behind the critic and bring your creative spirit. Everyone's an artist! A variety of mediums will be explored.
Dance Band (13 and up) -- David Cantieni, Ralph Gordon
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.
Song Kitchen (13 and up) -- Henry Chapin
What's cookin'? Calypso, Beatles, folk, blues, motown, swing? Henry will help you cook up a song. Learn how to handle a mic, lead a band, pick a key and just have some fun singing.
Longsword (13 and up) -- Sue Dupre / Jan Elliott
A longsword dance from Yorkshire, England. Exciting figures and simple footwork.
Ages 13 and up Afternoon classes (3:00 - 4:00)
Hilsen fra Norge: Scandinavian Couple Dancing -- Ann Percival, David Cantieni / Mary Lea, Elvie Miller
Ann and David will teach the dances from Ann's heritage: schottis, snua, polska, hambo, Norwegian polka and the ever popular mazurka.
English Afternoon Dance for All: Dances for a Summer Afternoon -- Gene Murrow / Steve Hickman, Ralph Gordon, Karen Axelrod
An hour of lovely, easy dances with great music.
Garland -- Sue Dupre / Anna Patton
Two modern garland dances with gold star choreography for all experience levels and genders.
Late Afternoon Classes (4:15 - 5:15)
These are concurrent with Swimming (all ages)
Swimming (all ages)
English & American Dance Party for All (13 and up) -- Sue Dupre / Ethan Hazzard-Watkins, Elvie Miller, John Devine
A relaxed dance party for dancers of all experience levels. Sue's favorites from both American and English traditions (ECD M-W, AD Th-Sat).
Border Morris (13 and up) -- Jan Elliott / Karen Axelrod
Lively morris from the Welsh border area of England featuring fast-paced stick dances, simple footwork and geometric patterns in sets of varying numbers.
Open Mic / Open Band (13 and up) -- Kathy Anderson / Steve Hickman, Henry Chapin
For dance musicians and callers! Three days American, three days English dance and music. Callers get feedback from Kathy (if they wish); musicians get assistance from Steve and Henry.
Special All-Camp Times
Family Gathering (10:15-11:00)
Sing For Your Supper (5:30-6:00)
Community Dance (7:15-7:45)
All Camp Gathering (7:45-8:15)
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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