2017 Callers / Bands / Teachers
Phil Jamison
Caller and Workshop Leader
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Phil (along with Nancy Mamlin) envisioned and crafted the original Dare To Be Square event held in Asheville in 2003. He spent many years researching the origins of southern Appalachian Dance and he literally "wrote the book" on this. Check it out at http://www.philjamison.com/hoedowns-reels-and-frolics/!
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Kathy Anderson
Caller and Workshop Leader
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Kathy is known for her exuberant delivery, impeccable timing, and FUN fast-moving squares. She has taught Square Dance calling at Camps all over the US and abroad and is known as a supportive and skilled teacher eager to pass on her love of squares!
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Graham DeZarn
Friday Night Band
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4th generation fiddler Graham DeZarn comes from the Shenandoah Valley of Virgina. He was first inspired by the musical life of his father Joe DeZarn, which exposed him to an enthralling array of music and musical characters at homes and dances all around Virginia and the Washington DC area. For the last seven years he's travelled from the Rocky Mountains to the Shetland Islands, playing old-time, ragtime and honky-tonk music with the Richmond-based stringband The Hot Seats. Graham takes a particular interest and joy in the conversation between dancers and musicians, which he has explored in long-time collaborations with Shannon Dunne Dance, the Good Foot Dance Company, and at every social dance he has the privilege to play.
Graham will be joined by Martha Burns (guitar), Brent Feito (banjo), Ralph Gordon (bass) |
Rachel Eddy
Saturday Night Band
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Rachel was born and raised in rural WV just south of Morgantown, where her musical family inspired her to play and sing as a little girl. She grew up listening to local fiddlers, her father among them, going to old-time festivals, and attending square dances. The old-time bug bit her early in life and Rachel now performs and teaches full-time on fiddle, banjo, guitar, mandolin and bass.
Over the years, she has had the honor of sharing stages, workshops and recording sessions with the likes of Tim O’Brien, Erynn Marshall, Dirk Powell, Adam Hurt, Rayna Gellert, Russ Barenberg, Bruce Molsky, Mark Schatz, and a month long tour in Germany with the g’earls from Uncle Earl! Rachel will be joined by Mark Kilianski (guitar), Jay White (banjo), and Lorie Lichtenwalner (bass) Find out more about Rachel at http://www.racheleddymusic.com/ |
Brad Kolodner
Workshop Leader - Clawhammer Banjo; Old Time Slow Jam
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Baltimore-based clawhammer banjoist Brad Kolodner represents the next generation of Old-Time musicians pushing the boundaries of the tradition into uncharted territory. Regarded for his delicate touch, expressive style, and original compositions, Kolodner has rapidly gained national attention for his unique approach to the banjo at just 27 years of age. Awarded the 2016 IBMA Momentum Award for Industry Involvement, Kolodner is helping to lead the charge as a performer, teacher, DJ for WAMU’s Bluegrass Country, jam leader, community builder and ambassador for Old-Time music. He regularly performs across the country in a duo with his father Ken Kolodner, a world renowned hammered dulcimer player and with the acoustic roots quartet Charm City Junction.
Find out more about Brad at http://www.bradkolodner.com/ |
Mark Kilianski
Saturday Night Band, Workshop Leader - Flatpicking Guitar
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Mark is a versatile guitar player, singer and composer from New Jersey now residing in Asheville, NC. He tours regularly with Bluegrass and Old-Time actsHoot and Holler, The Moonlight Ramblers, and as a solo artist. He plays blues-rock, jazz, and country music with The Country Shuffle. He writes songs about real life and imagination, and composes music for horns, strings, and anything else. https://www.hootandhollermusic.com/
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Amy Alvey
Workshop Leader - Old Time Fiddle
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Originally from Orange County, CA, Amy graduated from Berklee College of Music with a performance degree in 2011. She freelanced locally in Boston's music scene while making pilgrimages to Clifftop and Mt. Airy. She performs nationally with the duo Hoot & Holler. She is now based in Asheville, NC.
https://www.hootandhollermusic.com/ |
Lorie Lichtenwalner
Saturday Night Band; Song Swap Leader
Photo by Sandy Parks
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Lorie Lichtenwalner has been singing and playing traditional old time and early country music since her teens when she was involved with the Old time Music revival in Charlottesville Virginia where the Prism Coffeehouse was exploding with music concerts and jams, went to folk festivals, learned hundreds of songs and honed her skills as a guitarist and bass player. Lorie performed as lead vocalist and bass player with acclaimed Old Time Band Troublesome Creek at festivals and concerts throughout the East Coast. She is known for her clear voice and ability to draw in the listener to the story of her songs. Lorie has a depth of knowledge about Old time Music and Early Country music that is deep and rare.
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Janine Smith
Workshop Leader - Open Mic Calling Practice
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Janine Smith calls square, contra, ceilidh, and family dances in the Washington, DC area. She shares her humorous (OK, sometimes goofy) style and infectious love of music and dance with dancers from Glen Echo, MD to Seattle, WA, and specializes in singing squares. She is one of the Hot Square Babes, a quintet of female square dance callers who throw an occasional square dance party in College Park, MD. She is a founding member of the DC Square Dance Collective.
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Stan Fowler
Dance Ranger Extraordinaire; Workshop Leader - Fun Ways to Move Your Feet to Southern Music
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Stan Fowler, aka Dance Ranger, spent the entirety of his career with the National Park Service making dance accessible to the first time park visitor in the world-famous Spanish Garden Ballroom at Glen Echo Park. He shares his love for dancing with knowledge acquired through more than 45 years of dancing. Having attended slightly north of 6,000 dances, over 200 dance camps, and innumerable dance weekends and folk festivals all over the country, Stan is able to provide a unique perspective on the subject. He promises a twelve (dance) step program to help your feet overcome their fear of the dance floor!
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Gabe Popkin
Workshop Leader - How to Call Your First Square Dance
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Gabriel Popkin has been calling dances since 2007, and has called in DC, Baltimore, Wisconsin, Kentucky and elsewhere. He specializes in simple and fun dances that are accessible to everyone, including complete beginners. He is also a cofounder of the DC Square Dance.
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Kim Forry and Jan Scopel
Workshop Leaders - Clogging/Flatfooting Basics
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If you've ever thought about learning to flatfoot or clog, look no further than these two extremely talented, long-time dancing teachers. They promise that there is something for everyone, from basic steps to advanced percussion. Being the "inactive couple" in a square dance takes on a liberating slant when you know how to bust loose with some cool steppin'. Those spare moments in the elevator will have the maintenance staff going crazy!
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