Program: Class Descriptions 2025
ECD: Progression of Progression
For dancers of ALL abilities
Andrew Swaine
There is huge variety in historic country dances from the Playford collections, and one particularly intriguing element is in the forms of progression that they employed, i.e. how the dancers move between places in the set between turns of the dance. We'll explore the evolution of progression itself, including some forms of dance that are largely forgotten today, and with many glorious dances along the way.
ECD: Playford Without All the Answers
For dancers of ALL abilities
Andrew Swaine
When we dance a historic country dance, we're doing a dance as described by a caller and interpreted by a choreographer – but how do we know we're doing it "right"? What decisions does a choreographer have to make, big and small? What if there is no right answer? Do we want to be completely historically accurate anyway? This series will look at the original dances from published and manuscript sources, and give some insight into what we do and don't know. There will be opportunities for you to do some of your own interpretation along the way.
ECD (Advanced): The Art of Untangling Knots
For SKILLED and ACCOMPLISHED dancers
Joanna Reiner-Wilkinson
What makes a dance “advanced”? Is it new or new to you? Does it feature different sensibilities than much of our modern ECD repertoire? Does it have a high piece count? This class will feature a wide variety of challenging dances, old and new, and explore the skills required to master complex choreographies. Cheerful recovery skills and knowledge of ECD figures and basic repertoire is expected!
ECD: The Art of Dancing Well
For dancers of ALL abilities
Joanna Reiner-Wilkinson
We’ll look specifically at the technique of English country dancing and consider the notion that how you move, how you hold your body, how well you transition between figures, change roles, and recover from mistakes directly affect, and hopefully increase your enjoyment of the dance.
ECD Caller's Workshop: The Art of Noticing
For dancers of ALL abilities
Joanna Reiner-Wilkinson
As callers, only part of our job is writing the dance program, conducting the walk-through, and calling the dance. So much of what we do is take in information about what is happening all around us. This class will explore the various things callers have to pay attention to while they are working: the dance form itself, individual dancers, the whole room of dancers, music and musicians, the community, and, of course, themselves. Class will consist of discussion, exercises, opportunities to practice calling, and a daily observational homework assignment.
ECD Explorations
For dancers of ALL abilities
Rachel Pusey
Join Rachel for an exploration of various aspects of English Country Dance. Each day we will play with a different idea: the delight of dancing basic figures with musicality and grace, ways to think about the patterns we make on the dance floor, how to be the dancer you’d like to dance with, what we can learn and borrow from our Scottish cousins, and more. Tips for learning dances, recovering from mistakes, dancing safely, and inclusion will be woven throughout the week.
ECD: Playford's Theatre and Theatre for Playford
For clowns, queens, villains, and dancers of ALL abilities
Daisy Black
Join us for a fun exploration of dance in two parts. The first half of the week will be a playful workshop exploring how Playford’s dances reflected the plays and characters of their times, then using this knowledge to dance them. In the second half, we’ll explore how modern theatre movement games and techniques can improve the coordination, style, rhythm, connection, group communication, and asserting personal comfort in your dancing.
Callers Open Mic
For callers and dancers of ALL abilities
Facilitated by Rachel Pusey
Are you a budding caller who would like to practice your teaching and prompting skills? Then join us for our Open Mic session! This is open to any caller who wants to practice prompting tried and true dances in front of a kind, forgiving audience—and an opportunity to work with some of our excellent staff musicians. There may also be opportunities to receive feedback, if desired. And of course, callers can’t practice without willing dancers, so please join us! Anyone may join, and drop-ins are welcome.
Border Morris
For dancers of ALL abilities
Boggarts Breakfast border morris dances are mischievous, mathematical, and full of their own dramatic choreography. Learn a selection of dances from the repertoire of this Sheffield border side.
Longsword
For dancers of ALL abilities
Longsword is an ancient, spectacular, and mesmerizing linked sword dance tradition from northeast England, with related forms across Europe. Long, straight, single-handled swords link dancers in a ring; moving over, under and around them creates fascinating patterns, culminating in a ‘lock’ or star of interwoven swords. Explore both traditional and invented figures, likely focusing on the dance "Happy Jack" as adapted by the Vineyard Swordfish from a traditional Manx dance. Be prepared to leap lightly over low swords and bend from the waist. Check out this video of Happy Jack (the dance starts at about one minute).
Storytelling: Unlocking the Word Hoard
Open to ALL
Daisy Black
Are you interested in learning how to spin a yarn of your own? Discover the skills needed to break down any story for performance. We will cover structure, memorization, character, and world-building. Using medieval tales from Daisy's research as examples, we will also cover how to adapt old tales for modern audiences and creatively address the problems inherent in telling stories from the past. Drop-ins are fine; if you attend all week you'll come away with a polished tale to tell and the skills to tell new stories of your own.
Social Singing Circle
Open to ALL
Chris Bracken
Singing with a group of people is one of the more magical things in life - whether it's shouting the rousing chorus, leaning into a crunchy harmony, or feeling the soft vibration of a quiet chord in your bones. We'll do a lot of magic-making, including learning some easy choruses, trying out harmonies, and practicing leading songs. Bring a song (or several) to share, or come to enjoy singing the choruses.
Social Singing Nitty Gritty
Open to ALL
Chris Bracken
We’ll do plenty of singing as we discuss such things as what makes a good song and where to find some, what to do (and not do) to make a social singing session great, making a song your own, and how to tangle with problematic parts of our singing traditions.
Music Class: Creating Harmony
For musicians of ALL levels
Rebecca King
Bring your instrument and play around with making harmonies. We’ll use scales, modes and easy music theory to create harmony for English Country Dance tunes. Take this class at your own level - beginning players can work on the tune while more advanced players can try harmonies and other improvisations, all in a safe environment. Music reading recommended. Bring your Barnes Books.
Music Class: Around the World in Five Tunes
For musicians of ALL levels
Take a quick dive into several different styles of music and come away with a tantalizing taste of the many rich cultures of traditional music. Over the week we will play five tunes from various Celtic and Western European musical styles, ranging from Swedish polskas and Breton andros to Quebecois brandys. Each day we will choose one style and listen to prominent musicians, discuss the ornaments, and learn a tune or two!
Music Class: Recorders
For musicians of ALL levels
Jan will offer a recorder class featuring lively Renaissance dance pieces, encouraging players of all sizes and levels to join together and explore this wonderful repertoire. Music reading is required, though the material is straightforward. Alto, tenor and bass players are especially welcome!
Music Class: Camper Band
For musicians of ALL levels
Michelle Masek (Levy)
Camper Band Class is a great way for musicians of all levels to connect with others to make inspiring dance music together! During the first part of the week, we'll learn and play the tunes that will be on the camper night program, when the staff dances and the campers call and play the music! We'll also learn and practice techniques for adding variety to the music in ways that complement the dance and the dancers. We'll play as one community ensemble, with Michelle conducting. More advanced players who want a challenge will have opportunities to take solos on camper band night. After camper night, we'll dive deeper into experimenting with accompaniment techniques. Bring your own instrument(s) and your Barnes books. While this band is open to all levels, to get the most out of the class, we strongly recommend that you be able to tune your own instrument and to play scales up to 3 sharps and flats in at least one octave. You should also be able to either read music fluently or be confident picking up tunes by ear.
Dance, Music, and More - Grab Bag Sessions
Open to ALL
staff and camper led
Experience a wide variety of one-day workshops led by staff and campers--something different every day! Campers will be invited to propose sessions as part of their pre-camp questionnaire.
Daily Gathering
Open to ALL
facilitated by Chris Bracken
Our daily camp gathering is a chance to entertain your fellow campers. Read a poem, tell a joke, perform a skit, sing a song…share your talents – sublime, ridiculous or somewhere in between.