Dave is one of the nation’s premier pianists and composer of tunes for English, Scottish, and American country dance. He has published a book of waltzes and another of tunes in the folk dance tradition.
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Filtered by Performer Style: English Country
Alex Fortier
Alex Louis Fortier has been studying and playing piano in various idioms since the age of 6. His traditional accompaniment stylings range between classic New England style (Bob McQuillen, Gordon Peery), Quebecois style (Mario Loiselle, Rachel Aucoin), and Cape Breton style (Neil Pearlman, Jason Roach, Mac Morin, Troy MacGillivray). With a love of tradition and… Read more »
Quicksilver
Jean, Scott & Henry Smith
A trio that plays for both Irish step dancing and English country dance.
Bev Bernbaum
We have enjoyed the fine work of Canadian caller, Bev Bernbaum, for many years. We’re delighted to welcome her back to Rochester. Bev has travelled all over the world spreading the joy of contra dancing. She has embraced calling and dancing at Zoom-based events to stay connected with her beloved community during the pandemic. Get… Read more »
Calico
With its unique mix of driving cello, 12-string guitar, and a hell of a lot of foot percussion, Calico brings a fiery twist to the fiddle music of Québec and New England. Whether they’re playing archival crooked tunes or new compositions, Casey Murray, Jesse Ball, and Eric Boodman create a joyous sound all their own…. Read more »
Beverly Francis
Beverly is a skilled caller with a specialty in dances from Jane Austen’s time.
Laurel, Cat & Meg
Bellamira
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.
Trillium
Kaia Megiel
Annie Simpson
Catherine, Laurel & Meg
Mark & Chris
Alyssa, Silvia and Meg
Silvia Sörensen
Meg Grindrod
Molly, Jenna and Jane
Mark, Chris & Jenna
A trio that plays for English dances.
Pat & Mark
Catherine Sloboda
Catherine’s fiddling is energizing, sensitive, and creates music with that elusive quality of danceability. She also has long experience in playing for dancing; in the early ’90’s, Catherine was a member of the Sloboda family band, Glenrose, who played for many contra and family dances. She is a member of the ECD bands Bellamira, Quicksilver,… Read more »
Alyssa, Laurel & Meg
Katie Marshall
Sweet melodies and tasty harmonies are evident in Katie’s fiddling. She started playing for our English country dances in the summer of 2022. Having distinguished herself there, she has moved on to playing for contra dances.
Molly, Katie & Jane
A trio that plays for English Country dances
Shandy
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… Read more »
Tom Amessé
Before Tom discovered English Country Dance, he pursued several interests which included both American History, and acting. If he seems a natural on stage, some of the credit goes to his having acted in local community theater! He has been a dance leader for over 20 years in New York City and northeastern New Jersey, and… Read more »
Jane Knoeck
Jane Knoeck is the doyenne of Rochester dance piano for both English country and contra. She is a member of the nationally touring band, The Groovemongers, as well as River Bend, Sister Haggis, and others reaching back over many years. It’s always a great night for dancing when Jane is on stage.
Jane & Katie
A duo that plays for English Country dance
Molly, Laurel & Chris
Laurel, Margaret & Chris
Barbara Seppeler
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.
Daphne, Laurel & Jane
Stomp Rocket
Stomp Rocket is a New England based trio. They’ve played for contras throughout New England, and at dance weekends in Alaska, Tennessee, and Maryland. In 2019 Stomp Rocket was at Fleur de Lis Fling in Kentucky, The Florida Snowball, and the Corvallis Contra Weekend among other places. Stomp Rocket also provides very fine music for English Country dancing. Dave brings decades… Read more »
Laurel, Margaret & Jane
Laurel, Meg & Ben
An English country dance trio. Laurel is adept on whistles, recorders, and oboe, Ben adds banjo, more whistles, & bodhran, and Meg handles piano and concertina.
John Kerr
John has years of experience in playing for dancing and has used his extra time during the pandemic to work on English dance tunes. He is adept at using a looping pedal to add harmonies to the solo mandolin. John & Colleen have played together in dance bands from Just Add Water in the 1980s… Read more »
Roberta Truscello & Laurie Gillman-Giroux
Laurel Sharp
Laurel is a true multi-instrumentalist, equally at home with with recorders, pennywhistle, and oboe, and adding variety to any ensemble she works with.
Cathy Stephens
Cathy is one of the most popular and skillful dance teachers in North America today. As a professional dance instructor, choreographer, and historical dance specialist since 1984, she has traveled extensively teaching and conducting hundreds of dance events for museums and historical sites, festivals, universities and many arts, educational, and recreational organizations. Her ability to… Read more »
Megan Wilson
Megan Wilson began dancing as a teenager in Boston, Massachusetts, and is a caller of English and contra dances based in Ann Arbor, Michigan, where she is working on a Ph.D. She specializes in challenging dances, dances by women choreographers, and fostering connection between music and movement. She has led dances in several states and… Read more »
Serendipity Plus
Our wonderful Serendipity duo with the addition of mandolin & guitar.
Dave Boyer
Long time dancer, artist, caricaturist, and delightful man.
Molly & Chris
Confluence
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.
Dames Rocket
Alchemy
Alchemy is Karen Axelrod, Rachel Bell, and Eric Martin, three dynamic players steeped in traditional English Country Dance and Contra Dance music. Individually, they have performed across the United States, Canada, and Europe. As a trio, their improvisatory style brings a contemporary and innovative feel to both traditional and newly composed tunes and songs. Alchemy… Read more »
Molly, Ben, Ben & Jane
Laurel, Kit & Meg
This grouping is now named Dames Rocket.
Spindrift
Eileen, Chuck, and a variety of friends play for both contra and English dances.