In 2002, Rick and Judy became Relative Harmony, officially welcoming their son Jonathan to the musical team. Daughter Katie joined the melange in 2005. Relative Harmony has appeared individually and together at many southern Ontario venues, as well as many dance venues throughout the American mid-west. They have entertained at numerous social gatherings. Their instrumental music… Read more »
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Filtered by Performer Style: Contra
Gaye Fifer
Gaye Fifer (Pittsburgh, PA) hasn’t stopped dancing since she found contras in 1979. Introduced to the community in St. Louis, she has found dancing wherever she goes. Gaye learned to call contras in Charlottesville, VA and has been traveling to call and dance for the past 25 years. After 15 years of dancing, she finally realized that… Read more »
Andrew Anna and Julie
Andrew VanNorstrand, Anna Patton and Julie Vallimont are touring as a trio, playing fantastic dance music. Here in Western NY, we’ve delighted in Andrew’s music since he was a precocious tween growing into the rockin’ Great Bear Trio. Anna and her jazzy clarinet first came to our attention in the superstar band, Elixir. Julie’s inventive… Read more »
Geneseo String Band
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… Read more »
Buddy System
Noah and Julie play as an acoustic duo, using fiddle, feet, didgeridoo, piano, and jawharp. They play original compositions, traditional tunes from Ireland, Quebec, Appalachia, and France, and modern tunes collected from their travels in the music scene. It’s the synergy between Julie and Noah that makes Buddy System so magical. They had known each… Read more »
Untitled
Eileen Kalfass with musical friends from Syracuse.
Tim Ball and Liza Sommers
Tim Ball has been on the contra music scene for about 10 years, playing fiddle with TuneScape, Tempest, Arise and Go and many other bands. He travels throughout the country making music and when home in Ithaca, teaches a couple dozen fiddle students. In addition, Tim has taught for the past few years at the… Read more »
Polaris
Quebecois, Irish and contemporary tunes infused with a youthful energy and exuberance that fills up the hall.
Andrew and Noah
Andrew and Noah Van Norstrand grew up around Syracuse, NY and began playing for dances when they were teenagers. They are all music, all the time and play in venues throughout the United States (and beyond!). Musicianship, creativity, and energy combine for can’t-keep-from-smiling dancing the whole night long. We’re so glad when the stars align… Read more »
Eileen Kalfass and John Wobus
Longtime friends Eileen Kalfass and John Wobus get together to play beloved tunes with lift and joy.
Lake Effect
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,… Read more »
Andrew VanNorstrand
Insanely talented, Andrew vanNorstrand is a welcome addition to any band.
Dan Seppeler
A Rochester caller and choreographer of English dances with a talent for finding new and delightful dances and the confidence to try difficult material.
Evan De Smitt
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.
Wild Root String Band
Wild Root String Band provides hot old-time music
Sharon Perry
Sharon Perry was a long-time local caller who refined her skills at contra caller’s camp sponsored by the Country Dance and Song Society at Pinewoods. Sharon exhibited a calm demeanor and called both regionally and up and down the east coast.
Over and Under
Roger Cass leads Over and Under, a band with a long history of playing for dances in Rochester. Over and Under got its name by playing for many years for the Over and Under Square Dance Club where you had to be over . . . or under . . . 40 to be a member…. Read more »
Old World Charm School
Susan Kevra, Karen Axelrod, and Rachel Bell — known collectively as Old World Charm School — are equally at home playing contra dances, English country dances, French dances, and concerts, with Susan switching roles between caller and clarinetist/singer. In concert, the trio presents lively Quebecois songs, mesmerizing French village dance tunes, passionate waltzes, and exciting… Read more »
David Smukler
Caller of contra and English Country dances.
Tim Ball & Jane Knoeck
Fabulous musicians and always in demand, Tim Ball (Arise & Go, Center Street, Tempest) and Jane Knoeck (The Groovemongers, Riverbend, Sister Haggis) are busy with their regional and national schedules. It’s a rare treat to have them on stage together!
Jane, Mark & Roberta
Experienced and talented musicians all!
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 »
Great Bear
For more than sixteen years, GREAT BEAR has set the standard and pushed the boundaries of modern contra dance music. They are known all over North America for their epic dynamics, genre-transcending arrangements and deep dance grooves. Andrew VanNorstrand (guitars and fiddle), Noah VanNorstrand (fiddle, mandolin and feet) and Kim “Mama Bear” Yerton (piano) are… 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
Nancy Spero lives in Ithaca NY. She has been calling contra dances, square dances, and community/family dances in the Northeast since 1988. Her dances provide high energy fun for participants of all ages, whether they are newcomers or seasoned dancers. She will have you movin’ and groovin’ to the music in no time!
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.
New Brew
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.
Open Band
Founded by Eric Rounds, open band nights in Rochester are now led by Daphne Pickens and Jane Knoeck. Like Eric, Jane has been an enthusiastic member of the Rochester traditional music community for many years. Daphne has grown up in the tradition and is on the faculty at the Kanack School of Music. We continue… Read more »
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.
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 »
Peregrine Road
RACHEL BELL (accordion) has been gracing the stages of contra dance halls, concert venues and bal folk dances for many years. Pair Rachel up with pianist KAREN AXELROD, widely known for her lyrical and powerful English Country Dance playing, and you get Peregrine Road. These two seasoned musicians provide an exhilarating dance experience infused with… Read more »
Arugula
Dependably enjoyable Rochester regular, Arugula plays for both Contra and English Country dances.
Serendipity
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… Read more »
Blue Dance
The cure for the blues is the fantastic local ensemble Blue Dance. This band electrifies the contra stage with their singable, danceable fusion tunes. Expect the unexpected as this band wows the crowd with classics from Stevie Wonder, Sinatra, Sam Cooke, and Louis Armstrong.
Ginger Majority
Casey Murray, Daphne Pickens, Liza Sommers, and Audrey Potter are back with that high energy fiddle and cello dance music. They formed at the Kanack School of Music, an outstanding resource in Brighton. Now Casey is attending the Berklee School of Music in Boston, and Daphne is attending Oberlin. Liza and Audrey are in high… Read more »
Crooked Sixpence
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!
Sister Haggis
Western NY duo Eileen and Jane, are familiar to Rochesterians but also well known traveling musicians who play all over the country. Here they get together as good friends to play the tunes they love and give us a great time. We’ve known Eileen, daughter of long-time Syracuse caller Bob Nicholson, since she was a lass…. Read more »
Glenrose
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.
Eloise & Co.
Eloise & Co. features the combined creative force of two of the country’s most sought-after dance musicians, Becky Tracy and Rachel Bell. These two, sometimes playing as a duo and other times joined by various guest guitarists including Owen Morrison, Owen Marshall, and Andrew VanNorstrand, crank out dance music with unbridled energy and soaring beauty…. Read more »