Country Dance and Song Society

Celebrating our 75th year at Pinewoods Camp

Contra Dance Callers Course at Pinewoods
August 9 - 16, 2008

As of March 26, this week has a short wait list.

Timber Ridge	Pinewoods			Ogontz
English & American Family	Early Music Folk Music Community Dance Leaders Family Teachers	English Dance American Dance & Music Contra Dance Callers	Campers' English & American Square Dance Callers	Family Week 1 Family Week 2 Teachers

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Registration

Contra Dance Callers Course at Pinewoods
August 9 - 16, 2008
Program Director:
Lisa Greenleaf

Tentative Class Schedule: [Back to Top]

7:45 - 8:15 Breakfast

9:00 - 11:15

Contra Callers Course Lisa Greenleaf

11:15 - 12:00 Swimming, Bookstore staffed

12:00 Lunch

1:30 - 2:30

Callers Course Open Lab Lynn Ackerson

2:45 - 3:45

Afternoon Delights Lisa Greenleaf

Slow Jam Larry Unger

Beginning Appalachian Clogging Ellie and Leela Grace

4:00 - 5:00

Campers' Calling Hour Carol Ormand

Old-Time Jam Greg and Jere Canote

Harmony By Heart: How to Learn and Keep a Part Leela Grace

4:45 - 5:15 Tea with Jam, Swimming
and Bookstore staffed

5:15 - 6:00 Salon

6:30 Dinner

8:00 Couple Dances

8:15 - 11:00 Evening Dance Party

11:00 After-dance activities

Program Description: [Back to Top]
Look up our Special Programs for some general information; here is more detail about this particular program and staff.

This contra callers course is an intensive workshop designed for advanced-beginner through intermediate callers who are ready to work hard at getting to the next level. We will focus on two particular topics important to any caller: teaching skills (understanding choreography and crafting a concise teaching vocabulary) and stage presence (becoming comfortable behind the mic, learning how to handle mistakes or unexpected situations and working with musicians).

This program, held concurrently with American Dance & Music Week, is designed and led by Lisa Greenleaf. Lisa brings many years of experience to her callers' workshops. She has been on staff at camps across the U.S. as well as Europe and particularly enjoys observing how people learn to dance as well as how they build effective dance communities.

Class Descriptions: [Back to Top]
During the day, participants should expect to focus most of their energy on the course, which covers three class periods. In the morning we'll start with a workshop to cover such topics as teaching figures, recognizing good choreography and working with musicians. The latter half of the morning will be a hands-on hour of basic microphone and stage techniques as participants practice conducting effective walk throughs. The afternoon session with Lynn Ackerson and musicians, Eden MacAdam-Somer and Bruce Rosen, is geared towards calling with live music to real dancers, while receiving feedback in a constructive and supportive setting.

There is also time later in the day to join the all-camp open mic session, a part of the concurrent American Dance & Music Week.

Participation is limited to ten students, and before camp each student is expected to complete a preparatory assignment, which will be explained with acceptance materials. Because we have a lot of material to cover, attendees are expected to have knowledge of basic calling skills before attending the course. Feel free to contact the CDSS office for more information.

Registration: [Back to Top]

The registration deadline for this course is March 17. If it is oversubscribed on the 17th, there will be a lottery. This course is limited to ten participants to ensure plenty of opportunity for active participation. In case of over-subscription, preference will be given to advanced-beginner through intermediate callers, particularly those who were on the wait list last year. Please clearly indicate on your registration form if you would like to attend American Dance & Music Week if you do not get into this course. Scholarships are available.