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Nils Fredland
Nils Fredland
hails from Keene, NH, but his travels as a dance caller, song leader, and musician over the last two
decades have have taken him all over the map. He is the dance caller, trombone player, and occasional vocalist
for the popular dance bands, Elixir and Maivish; he can also be found sharing the stage with some of the
best-known contra dance bands on the National circuit, such as Great Bear Trio, Mean Lids, and Notorious.
Nils is widely respected for his expertise and skilled leadership, and beloved for his sensitivity, generosity, and
community-minded approach. |
Linda Leslie
Linda Leslie
comes to American Week from Southeastern Massachusetts. Her warm, resonant voice instills confidence and
enjoyment for musicians and dancers alike. A skilled choreographer and caller, she has over 150 dances to her credit.
With these and a broad repertoire of dances in her collection, Linda’s programming is always a dancer’s delight. She is
a long-time leader and a member of the NEFFA Board. Linda is highly sought after for her skills and leadership in the
dance community; she has traveled extensively throughout the United States, and is just back from a calling tour of
England. Get ready for a joyful, heart-felt dance experience when Linda is in your dance hall! |
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Bands
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Ryan McKasson
Fiddle and Viola
Ashley Broder
Mandolin and Fiddle
Jeff Spero
Piano and Keyboards
Christa Burch
Vocals and Bodhrán |
From dance floors to concert halls, The Syncopaths bring a fresh, contemporary spin to music and songs rooted in the Scottish, Irish, and American folk traditions. Evolving beyond their contra dance origins, they are creating a “chamber folk” sound characterized by the compelling, rhythmic interplay of fiddle and mandolin, rich vocals, and unexpected colors and rhythms from the piano and bodhran. The exuberant joy they derive from the music and each other is palpable and contagious. Ryan McKasson - fiddle and viola; Jeffrey Spero - piano and keyboards; Ashley Broder - mandolin and fiddle; and Christa Burch - vocals and bodhrán.
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Clew Bay
Stuart Kenney
Bass
Peter Siegel
Mandolin, Guitar
Owen Marshall
Guitar, Mandolin
Alden Robinson
Fiddle
Matthew Kenney
Percussion |
Rooted in deep musical traditions, Clew Bay brings a melting pot of Irish, Appalachian, Cape Breton,
New England, and original compositions to the dance floor. These veteran musicians propel the living
traditions of dance music into your heart and soles. Named for a bay off the west of Ireland, Clew Bay
represents music where the tides of timeless traditions meet. Alden Robinson (fiddle), Peter Siegel
(guitar, mandolin, and vocals), Matthew Kenney (percussion), Owen Marshall (guitar and vocals),
Stuart Kenney (upright bass, five-string banjo, and vocals).
Laura Light
Fiddle and Vocals
George Paul
Piano, Accordian, Composition
Jim Oakden
Mandolin, Clarinet, Recorders,
and more instruments than will fit in one vehicle! |
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The Avant Gardeners are the creative collaboration of
Virginia fiddler, singer, and composer Laura Light and
Alaskan wild man George Paul. Laura brings traditional
American fiddle styles and swing influenced improvisation to the
eclectic compositions of both Laura and George, all driven by George’s
electric and groove oriented keyboard wizardry. A nationally touring
band with the full complement of Gardeners, as a duo George and
Laura are always in demand for dances and workshops, coast to coast.
George has been dubbed the king of contra funk as well as the energizer
bunny of dance camps. Both love performing but are equally excited
about including and encouraging musicians in their growth and explorations.
Jim Oakden has gone through a succession of musical stages, from early music to traditional. He's been a staff musician at many West Coast camps including Fall Weekend, both by himself and as part of the GUPpies, and is currently active as a musician for English country dances, contras, Irish and Cape Breton sessions and dances from Brittany.
Jim not only is a world-class dance and folk
musician, he is also Program Director of this year's camp.
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Laura Light
Fiddle, Vocals, Yoga
George Paul
Piano, Accordian, Composition |
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Laura Light is the founder and core of The Avant Gardeners, and George Paul is known as The Energizer Bunny of
Contra. They have long been at the heart of AmWeek, and we are thrilled that they are continuing this
year. Laura’s yoga class is a highlight of the day for many campers, and George’s tunes begin each day in a
glorious way. They will again lead the incredibly hot Camper Band, as well as adding their unique
musical touch to workshops and evening dances through the week.
Music Workshops |
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Michelle Levy
Michelle Levy has been performing on and exploring the possibilities
of the violin/viola for over 20 years. She currently performs with the Boston Camerata and regularly plays
for English & contra dances on the west coast (Roguery, The Whoots, Tritonic), including Playford Balls, English Week Dance & Music Camp,
Fall Frolick, and Spring Fever. This is her second year at AmWeek.
As a fiddle/violin instructor, Michelle is on the faculty of the Bay Area
Academy of Music, and is trained in the Orff Shulwerk approach to teaching
music as well as the Mark O’Connor Method. She teaches all ages from 3½
and up, nurturing creative string players with solid technique. |
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Ben Schreiber
Ben Schreiber is a young “Fiddling Phenom” who has been taking the country by storm.
He also plays with The Whoots as well as Uncle Farmer. Ben is a voracious sight-reader, is fluent in several musical genres, and has been known to write a dozen tunes in an afternoon before the evening dance, much to the dancers' delight. |
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Photography Workshop |
Doug Plummer
Doug Plummer is a busy free lance photographer and filmmaker based in Seattle. His personal passion project for the last 30 years has been to document the American contra dance scene. He is the publisher of the Contradance Calendar, which seeks to display the diversity of dance communities across the country. As a teacher he helps photographers understand how to find the compelling image by becoming more sensitive to their own emotional response to the moment. He loves working with beginners. |
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Couple Dancing
Erik Erhardt
Erik presented the couple dance track in 2011 with rave
reviews. We are pleased that he has agreed to return this
year to build on the foundation laid last summer. Plans are
for waltz styles, Scandinavian dances, and who knows what
else? Join us and continue the class from last summer.
Lori Pimentel
Whether you are dancing the "lead" or the "follow" part
(often called the "gent" and "lady",
but who cares about labels?), Lori is without
doubt your
favorite partner. She'll help you improve your dancing in
either role, or both! Do not miss this chance to dance with
and learn from this most excellent partner! |
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Jam-o-Rama
is a versatile musician (bass, guitar, mandolin) from Carlsbad,
CA, who has been playing music on various stages since 1974.
Currently a member of three bluegrass bands: Highway
76, The Tail Draggers, and Superstrings,
he also plays in the old-time contra dance band, The
Remnants, for the San Diego contra dance community.
A devoted old-car nut and sailing enthusiast, he is a staunch
and reliably mischievous camp instigator. |
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Sound
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Marty Brenneis
Marty Brenneis, a valued “gizmo guy,” was a rock-n-roll sound
engineer in a former life. It wasn’t long after he
started contra dancing that he began twiddling the knobs
on the soundboards for dances … and he hasn’t
stopped yet. |
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