Name (required):

Please indicate the classes you are most likely to attend. You can change your mind later; this is to help us make initial decisions about where classes will be held.

Remember, we can’t promise a conflict-free schedule. In fact, it’s our job to make the class options as appealing and exciting as possible, and it’s your job to make hard choices and to pace yourself.

*Go over your choices carefully before you push the Submit button. Once you push the Submit button the form may be cleared, depending on your web browser.*

Class 1

Advanced English Country Dance: Walsh Collections (1708) – Andrew. If you are completely comfortable with all the basic ECD figures and familiar with many of the unusual ones, if you learn dances quickly without needing them called after the first few times through, you'll enjoy this challenging class focusing on dances from the early 18th century annual collections published by John Walsh (1708-).

English Country Dance: Basics and Beyond – Brooke. Whether you’re relatively new to ECD, your main interest is music, or ECD is a long-time passion, come learn or deepen your understanding of the basics and beyond. Refine core figures and play with ECD building blocks: dancing with others, hearing the music, recovering from mistakes. We’ll take time where it’s needed and add a bit of challenge where appropriate.

Advanced Comparative Step Dance – Judy. Experiment with a traditional tune that can be played and danced in several different styles: English clog, Quebecois, Scottish hardshoe, and Appalachian. Your feet will be very happy. For those with step/clog/tap experience. Bring both clogs and flats if you have them.

Class 2

Longsword – Judy. Learn Judy's newest longsword dance. Mr. Hopkins is a laid back single-stepped dance for a set of 8, 9 or 10 dancers. The figures are Continental (tunnels, windows). If you've never done longsword, this will be a great introduction. If you are on a team, this is a chance to learn from the best. Come experience this inventive longsword choreographer and fabulous teacher. Wear shoes that are not slick. Open to all.

Choreographers’ Open Mic – Gene. Whether you are a seasoned choreographer with some new dances to test or have a first effort to try on willing dancers, this is your opportunity for 'flight time.' We'll spend part of the first day talking about what makes a good dance. If you have dances to test but are not a teacher, we'll find a caller to teach your dances. You'll have the option for feedback from Gene and fellow dancers. If you aren’t a choreographer but you love English Country Dance and like to try new dances, please join us as a dancer.
as a dancer as a choreographer

Unlocking the Mysteries of Harmony – Rebecca. Do you play the melody, but wonder how to add harmony to your life? Do you feel uncomfortable playing anything but the printed notes? Do you feel stuck playing the chord and nothing but the chord? Whether you play a melody or chordal instrument, you’ll learn to use chord symbols, music theory, and your ear to add beautiful harmonies and accompaniments to your music.

Class 3

English Country Dance Style – Gene. There are common elements that unify the good dancers at Ren Faire, ceilidhs, Playford balls, and weekly ECD clubs. We will focus on the quintessential elements of ECD style: really hearing and interpreting the energy and affect of the music, dancing rather than walking, recognition of partner and set (and audience if performing), and the realization of pattern. Open to all.

English Waltz Clog for all (open class) – Judy. Learn steps accessible to novices and interesting to experienced dancers. Steps will be progressive in their technique and focus on how the rhythms go with and against the music. Bring clogs if you have them; flats will work fine if you don’t.

OR

Northwest Morris Class – Jane. Northwest Morris is an energetic processional dance form dating from the late 19^th century. From the Lancashire and Cheshire regions of England, it is performed in street parades and at local festivals. Dancers wear clogs and hold implements in their hands, often slings or sticks decorated with bells and ribbons. Learn the Mossley sling dance from the early 20th century, a lively crowd-pleasing dance with fun figures. If you don’t own clogs, come anyway! We’ll have some clogs available, and sneakers (preferably black) can be used in lieu of clogs. Open to all.

Musicians’ Workshop: ‘Noodling’ and Working with Callers – Anita. ‘Noodling’ is a specialized skill that, done well, can greatly enhance the teaching and learning of a dance. Discover from a master ‘noodler’ how to support a caller and the dancers during a walk-through. Get hands-on practice as you integrate your newfound skills with callers from Brooke’s class on working with musicians.

Callers’ Workshop: ‘Doodling’ and Working with Musicians – Brooke. Learn how to add musicality to your teaching even if you don’t have live music or a skilled ‘noodler’ in the band. Determine when and how to trade ‘doodling’ for ‘noodling’ to enhance your teaching. Team up with musicians from Anita’s class on working with callers to develop new collaboration skills.

Class 4

English Country Dance: Playford (c1686-1703) – Andrew. You will delight in Andrew's detailed knowledge, high standards, wit, and clear instruction with an emphasis on style as you learn dances from the Henry Playford editions of The Dancing Master. Open to all.

Northwest Morris Class – Jane. Northwest Morris is an energetic processional dance form dating from the late 19^th century. From the Lancashire and Cheshire regions of England, it is performed in street parades and at local festivals. Dancers wear clogs and hold implements in their hands, often slings or sticks decorated with bells and ribbons. Learn the Mossley sling dance from the early 20th century, a lively crowd-pleasing dance with fun figures. If you don’t own clogs, come anyway! We’ll have some clogs available, and sneakers (preferably black) can be used in lieu of clogs. Open to all.

OR

English Waltz Clog for all (open class) – Judy. Learn steps accessible to novices and interesting to experienced dancers. Steps will be progressive in their technique and focus on how the rhythms go with and against the music. Bring clogs if you have them; flats will work fine if you don’t.

Band Class – Gene. Whether you read music or play by ear, you’ll learn essential techniques for adding the ‘lift’ necessary to inspire the dancers as you explore the wide variety and history of English Country Dance music. Get useful tips on playing in tune and techniques for adding variety. Bring red and blue Barnes if you have them (they will also be available for purchase at the bookstore).

Class 5 (this class does not meet on Wednesday)

English Country Dance: The Dutch Connection – Andrew. Learn a mix of dances, old (from the 2nd half of the 18th century) and new (Pat Shaw, Cor Hogenkijk, and beyond), with connections to the Netherlands. Open to all.

Singing Workshop – Eden. We will focus on singing great music together, concentrating on madrigals and other early works. We will begin each day with basic warm-ups to explore and develop range, strengthen good tone and pitch, and relax. However, the main goal will be to sing together musically, enjoying putting together fun and interesting pieces while being expressive, and having a great time!

Morris (and beyond) Grab Bag – Jane. Spend Sunday-Tuesday working up dances (whatever display dances the group is up for) for the Wednesday Morris tour. Bring a jig if you have one! Thursday and Friday, we will discuss issues common to display dance teams of all sorts, share dances, and more.

Music Grab Bag – Tricky Brits. As a band and individually, the Tricky Brits will present a variety of one to two day workshops. Sunday the band will give a lecture/demonstration. Monday and Tuesday, band members will provide coaching and individual feedback for camper bands. Thursday and Friday band members will give instrument clinics. Depending on what instruments campers play, these clinics could include fiddle, plucked strings, or wind instruments.

Camper Warm ups: I would like to lead one or more mornings of warm-ups. (We may pick one person to do this as their work chore or it may rotate.) If you have a particular style of warm-up in mind, please indicate.

If you plan to attend music workshops and play for campers’ night, please indicate below:

Instrument(s) you play:

Level of experience playing English country dance music (all levels welcome):