Dan is a new-to-Rochester caller (as well as a superb dancer) with over a decade of experience, most recently as a staff caller at the CDSS dance week at Camp Cavell this past summer.
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Colleen Liggett
A longtime member of our dance community, Colleen initiated live music at our dances, arranging music and organizing the first bands when the English dance series began in the 1980s. Colleen currently books our performers and has more recently turned her considerable enthusiasm towards calling. In addition to calling for us, she and her husband,… Read more »
Susan Kevra
Susan Kevra burst onto the contra dance scene in the early 1990s in New England and honed her craft at her monthly dance series in Greenfield, MA for ten years. She now makes her home in Nashville, Tennessee, where she calls and organizes English, contra and square dances. She also travels to call at dance… Read more »
Lisa Brown
Lisa is dedicated to bringing the joys of English country dance to all by specializing in teaching newcomers to dance. She directs our demonstration team, the Meryton Assembly Dancers, and is also known for her encyclopedic knowledge of Regency Era clothing and history. During the Pandemic, Lisa created English Country Dance bingo, Early Music Bingo,… Read more »
Mary Collins
Mary Collins loves to dance, loves to call, and is a dedicated organizer of contra dances in Buffalo. We’re always happy to have her call (and dance) in Rochester.
Joe Kwiatowski
Katy Heine
Ithaca-based caller Katy Heine has been leading contras and community dances in the Finger Lakes region and beyond for more than 30 years. She’s known for her clear teaching style and for her large repertoire of fun and flowing dances. Whether the hall’s full of experienced dancers or first-timers, they’re sure to have a great… Read more »
Ted Crane
Long-time caller and organizer from Ithaca, Ted calls his favorite dances from his extensive collection.
Casey Carr
Acclaimed caller/teacher Casey Carr is skilled at making new dancers of all ages feel comfortable while keeping experienced dancers on their toes. She has a collection of fascinating grid squares that she pulls out for larger events.
Eric Rounds
Both an accomplished fiddler and long-time caller, Eric has been around since the early days of CDR. He has a great collection of dances and tunes from the early days of CDR: traditional dances which were called all around New England as well as the “newer” zesty contras.
Nancy Spero
Ithaca caller Nancy Spero is especially welcome in Rochester. In addition to being a fine contra dance caller, Nancy is particularly interested in the music and moves of traditional, old-time square dancing and she calls for square dances held several times a year in the greater Ithaca area. On our stage, she is always smiling… Read more »
Bob Nicholson
Bob is a veteran caller from Syracuse. He’s totally focussed on fun, accessible dances. His dance repertoire is deep and his memory is amazing. A versatile caller, Bob handles both Contra and English Country dances with ease, and events from advanced to weddings to introductory workshops.
Rich Sbardella
Rich calls contras, square dances, community, and family dances.
Richard Sauvain
Rochester English dance caller and dance organizer.
Pamela Goddard
Ithaca caller and singer Pamela Goddard has an engaging, confident and witty style. Her clear and patient teaching make her popular with our dancers.
Carmen Giunta
Hailing from Syracuse, Carmen is popular with our dance group for his patient teaching manner and his interesting and varied choice of dances.
Margaret Mathews
With more than 35 years experience as dancer, musician and caller, Margaret’s easy-going, engaging style gets everyone out on the dance floor. Her ability to smoothly adjust the dances to the experience level of the dance community make it a fun and accessible evening for everyone. In addition to contra dances, she calls for traditional… Read more »
Sherry Nevins
Noted Washington state Contra dance caller Sherry Nevins graces our stage annually.
Chuck Abell
In his caller persona, Chuck Abell brings us challenging dances that will exercise your mind and tickle your fancy with their intricate beauty. Chuck organizes the monthly caller meetings in Rochester to workshop new dances. He debuted his “DJ Abell” persona at our 2017 Thanksgiving Festival, with a Taste of Techno Contra session.
Tom Calwell and Myra Hirschberg
Toronto dance callers and teachers Myra Hirschberg and Tom Calwell are Dancingthread: bringing people together on the dance floor with a minimum of fuss and a maximum of fun.
Maxine McDonald
Young Maxine McDonald calling has a locked-in sense of timing that is never off, and never obtrusive. Quiet and unassuming, she puts the music first for a sweet evening. Her enthusiasm for the dance is contagious, and stems from a love of historical re-enactment at the Genesee Country Village and Museum–and a delight in twirling… Read more »
Dugan Murphy
Dugan Murphy is a contra dance caller performing across the U.S. and Canada, whose smooth-voiced and joyful teaching has the precision of clockwork.
Sarah VanNorstrand
Sarah VanNorstrand has been calling, organizing and teaching contra, square, and family/community dances for seven years, and more recently has been expanding into calling English dances. She has a clear and engaging teaching style and a great repertoire of dances to share. Instantly hooked from her first contra dance as a teen, Sarah’s love of dance… Read more »
Bob Fabinski
Clear and affable, Bob never forgets the beginner’s experience in contra, so he always gives you what you need to get dancing and to have fun right away.