Celtic dance music

Ben Hockenberry (banjo, mandolin, whistle, percussion)
Ella Powers (fiddle)
Ben Goehring (fiddle, concertina, whistle)

Ballingarry, based in Rochester NY’s vibrant Irish music community, brings high-energy dance music to contra with a foot-stomping blend of improvisation and tradition. They include veterans of The Bobbens, Rós Gorm, Foxtown, and the Tom Finucane, An gCarraig, and Drumlin Ceili Bands. They’re always excited to play for dance!

Performs for: Contra, Irish, Scottish

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Performs for: Contra, Irish, Scottish

Eileen Nicholson (violin)
Catherine Sloboda (violin)
Jane Knoeck (piano)

This trio of expert Western NY dance musicians formed in 2023 to play for English Country dances and soon after for contras as well. Each has exceptional musical skills coupled with long experience playing for dancers.

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Performs for: Contra, English Country

Catherine Sloboda (fiddle)
Clara Riedlinger (fiddle)
Alex Fortier (keyboard)

This is a new (2024) addition to the Rochester lineup of contra dance bands. Catherine Sloboda goes deeply into the contra dance experience from her childhood playing with Glenrose, the Sloboda family band. Her passion for dance music has taken her through classical training, Quebecois traditions, English country dance and more. Clara Riedlinger brings an old-time perspective to the band. She’s played with Clinton’s Folly and hosts a weekly old-time jam. Alex Fortier is a master of multiple styles, from traditional to jazz and alt-rock. He’s taught at Maine Fiddle Camp, and brings a solid rhythmic foundation to the band.

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Performs for: Contra

A mother-daughter flute & piano duo from Western New York State

Nadine Dyskant-Miller (flute)
Barbara Dyskant (piano)

Confluence is a mother-daughter duo from Western New York State. Nadine Dyskant-Miller contributes the flute and foot percussion, Barbara Dyskant contributes the piano, and we both contribute our joy of playing traditional music from Québec, New England, Ireland, and Scotland, original tunes, and more, for contra dances, English country dances, and concerts.

Contact Info:

• Phone: (716) 969-2286
• Email:
• Performer Web Site

Performs for: Contra, English Country, Modern Contra

Kathy Selby (fiddle), Gordon Bonnet (flute), John Wobus (piano)

Kathy Selby - Fiddle
Gordon Bonnet - Flute
John Wobus - Piano

This Ithaca-based high-octane trio specializes in music for contradance and English dance. We will get you out of your seat and up on your feet!

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Performs for: Contra, English Country

Appalachian old-time music with a contra dance drive

Kathy Vandemortel – fiddle
Stephen Bland – guitar
Fred Filbrich – bass, banjo-uke

The Esteemed Clams originally came together in 1994 and have been playing for dances ever since.  Their band roots are in Appalachian old-time music with a contra dance drive that will make you want to keep your feet a-movin’ on that dance floor!

Contact Info:

• Phone: 585-482-3924
• Email:

Performs for: Contra, Old-time

Jim Kimball

Led by Jim Kimball, the Geneseo String Band, made up of SUNY Geneseo students, alumni and local residents, has been in existence since 1976 and has played concerts, receptions and dances in a wide variety of venues. The band was organized as an ensemble within the SUNY Geneseo College music department to perform a variety of old-time American popular and folk music, especially that characteristic of central and western New York and in the Irish-American community. The band ranges in size from about 4 to 20, has used a wide range of traditional instruments and performed to date more than a thousand tunes and songs.

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Performs for: Americana, Contra

Jim Sloboda - Accordion
Nancy Sloboda - Violin
Catherine Sloboda McCallen - Violin
Matthew Sloboda - Violin, Mandolin, Guitar

Glenrose is primarily a traditional instrument music ensemble. Glenrose was formed as a Contra Dance band in 1991. Most of us still live in North Rose, NY. The band plays many types of traditional folk dance and listening music, as well as more classically oriented material for weddings, dances and other celebrations.

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• Performer Web Site
• Facebook Page

Performs for: Contra, Contra Dance/Folk

Matt Sloboda (fiddle, mandolin, accordion, bouzuki)
Chuck Abell (guitar)
Catherine Sloboda (fiddle)

For nearly seven years, Lake Effect has been honing its sound while playing for dances and concerts both locally and in New England and along the Eastern Seaboard. Founded initially by Matt Sloboda and Chuck Abell, the band has grown to include Catherine Sloboda. With a shared vision that encompasses the best in folk, Celtic, swing, and World Music, the band has melded seamlessly into a unique ensemble which values both precision and musical variety.

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Performs for: Americana, Contra

World Contra music craft brewed for balance and joy

Eileen Nicholson Kalfass - fiddle
Jane Knoeck - piano, accordion
Tom Santarsiero - guitar, mandolin, feet

One of Western NY’s top traditional dance bands, these accomplished musicians combine broad celtic influences to brew up world class world music in the bal folk, New England Contra, Quebecois traditions.

Performs for: Contra, French

Tom Owens (fiddle)
Dan Palmer (guitar)
Michelle Burack (banjo)
Jordan Kleiman (bass)

The PossumTone String Band, based in Rochester, NY, plays high energy music anchored in the Southern tradition. While most their tunes come from the Appalachian region of the United States, some are from the Midwest and beyond. The band plays music that’s centuries old as well as new tunes created in the past few years. They enjoy playing for dances, weddings, farmers’ markets, and other happy events.

Contact Info:

• Phone: 585-880-3944
• Email:
• Facebook Page

Performs for: Americana, Bluegrass, Contra

A flute and piano duo who plays for both English and Contra dance

Barb Seppeler, Piano
Laurie Giroux-Gillman, Flute

Pianist, music teacher and choral director, Barb Seppeler, fell hard for the beauty of the English Country Dancer repertoire, and she has made it her own with deep understanding and delicacy. Laurie Giroux – Gillman, a fellow music teacher and extraordinary flute player, is the other half of this delightful ensemble. Barb and Laurie have played regularly for dances in Rochester and all over the North East since 2012. They really have  that teamwork thing worked out.

Performs for: Contra, English Country

A trio of musicans who play for both contra and English Country dancing

Eileen Kalfass (violin)
Rebecca McCallum (violin)
Jane Knoeck (piano & accordion)

The musicians in Shandy have played together in various combinations for years and are now performing as a trio, playing for both English country and contra dancing.  Past English events include the 2017 Rochester Jane Austen Ball and a Colin Hume ECD weekend in Toronto in 2019. Rebecca contributed her classically trained violin style to Rochester contra and English dances for many years, until she moved out of the area, and Eileen and Jane, as Sister Haggis, play often at the Rochester English dances.

Eileen has a new (award winning) CD, available on her website.  Jane is the doyenne of Rochester dance piano for both English country and contra. Both Jane and Rebecca have played in the nationally known touring band, The Groovemongers, as well as River Bend, New Brew, and others.

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Performs for: Contra, English Country

World Beat Contra Music

Jane Knoeck, keyboards
Rebecca McCallum, fiddle
Tom Santarsiero, guitar, mandolin, banjo
Mark "Pokey" Hellenberg, percussion

For nearly 20 years, the Groovemongers have been thrilling contra dancers with a world beat approach to dance music. Countless tours, festival weekends and dance camps in 32 US states, Canada, the UK and the Caribbean have forged an ensemble that is equally at home with crafted musical arrangements as with jam band improv.

Pioneers of groove contra, the band works with callers to create a great dance experience, expertly matching tunes to dances and drawing from a breathtaking variety of styles and rhythms. From Celtic to Calypso, Southern to Salsa, Old England to New England, Motown to Cape Town, plus a liberal dose of American Rock ‘n’ Roll, the Groovemongers’ memorable tunes and driving rhythms fuse into a spicy mix that is irresistibly danceable.

Contact Info:

• Phone: (585) 426-1332
• Email:
• Performer Web Site

Performs for: Contra, Contra Dance/Folk, Modern Contra

Tim Ball (fiddle)

Tim Ball has been on the contra music scene for over 15 years. As a performer, he tours throughout the northeast with his Celtic trio Arise & Go, contra dance bands Center Street and Tempest, and has played with Renaissance festival bands Empty Hats and Cantiga. Tim leads the Ithaca Irish Session. He has performed and taught at Ashokan and Pinewoods, teaches regularly at the Ithaca Suzuki Institute and the Kanack School of Music fiddle camp, and maintains a private fiddle/violin studio in Ithaca, New York.

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Performs for: Contra

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.

Contact Info:

• Phone: (585) 244-7141
• Email:

Performs for: Caller, Contra

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.

Contact Info:

• Phone: (315) 479-5844
• Email:

Performs for: Caller, Contra, English Country

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.

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• Performer Web Site

Performs for: Caller, Contra

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, John, host dances on their back porch.

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Performs for: Caller, Contra, English Country

A Rochester caller and choreographer of English dances with a talent for finding new and delightful dances and the confidence to try difficult material.

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Performs for: Caller, Contra, English Country

David Smukler leads evenings of contras and squares, English country dances, family dances, school programs, and special events such as weddings, festivals, etc. He has also presented workshops on numerous dance related topics. His taste in dances is eclectic, and he presents a wide variety of dances. His repertoire includes plenty of New England contras, as well as an assortment of squares, singing calls, mixers, old chestnuts and freshly minted dances. He has a special fondness for English country dances, and his English programs also blend old favorites with new gems.

David grew up singing folk songs with his mom and began dancing contras in New Hampshire as a teen. In 1981 he was drafted to call for his local dance and has been calling ever since. David calls contras and squares, English country dances, and family and community dances, and is also a choreographer.

David is a retired inclusive early childhood and childhood educator who has also taught for years at the college level in a teacher preparation program. He has frequently used dance and song in his teaching, both with children and adults, sometimes to the great surprise of his students. A teacher through and through, David believes that people can always learn and grow. While welcoming change and evolution, David has enormous respect for the value of folk traditions and is the author (with David Millstone) of Cracking Chestnuts: The Living Tradition of Classic American Contra Dances, published in 2008 by CDSS.

Contact Info:

• Phone: 315-474-0710
• Email:
• Performer Web Site

Performs for: Caller, Contra, English Country, Trad Squares

One of Rochester’s seasoned callers, Evan brings great timing from his experiences playing saxophone in marching bands. His lovely, clear, resonant voice carries well, and he is very attentive to the dancers.

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Performs for: Caller, Contra

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 time at one of Katy’s dances!

Contact Info:

• Phone: (607) 273-0249
• Email:

Performs for: Caller, Contra, English Country

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 Old Time square dances, Civil War reenactments, hoedowns, weddings and other joy filled occasions. Her dance calling has taken her up and down the East coast, from the Carolinas to Vermont, as well as the Northwest and Canada. When not calling, Margaret plays bass in Wild Root String Band, a Southern Old Time band.

Contact Info:

• Phone: (585) 749-9542
• Email:

Performs for: Caller, Contra, Old-time, Trad Squares

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.

Contact Info:

• Phone: (716) 997-9423
• Email:

Performs for: Caller, Contra

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 and moving to the music of the band.

Contact Info:

• Phone: (607) 273-6603
• Email:

Performs for: Caller, Contra, Squares

Ithaca caller and singer Pamela Goddard has an engaging, confident and witty style. Her clear and patient teaching make her popular with our dancers.

Contact Info:

• Phone: (607) 273-8678
• Email:
• Performer Web Site

Performs for: Caller, Contra, English Country

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 and her joy in sharing it with all who will is evident and infectious. Above all, her goal as a caller is to make sure the dancers are having as much fun as she is!

Contact Info:

• Phone: (315) 663-6432
• Email:
• Performer Web Site
• Facebook Page

Performs for: Caller, Contra, English Country