Darlene Underwood
Darlene Underwood has been teaching and calling contra and square dances throughout the United States for over 25 years, spreading happiness, connections and fun.
She enjoys calling dances that have stories and flow. An engaging and well-prepared teacher, Darlene knows when to stop calling and get out of the way to allow the dancers to connect with the music and each other
She has called at Berea Christmas Country Dance school week, the Snowball Dance Weekend, Many Michigan local dances, Pigtown Fling, Winter WarmUp and many other local dances and dance weekends and weeks.
Darlene is from Cincinnati, OH. She and her family have been dancing in the Heartland and at dance camps all over the country ever since her now gown children were toddlers.
She has also taught caller’s workshops and says she always wants to “pay it forward,” hoping to inspire the next generation of callers
Joanna Reiner Wilkinson
Joanna Reiner Wilkinson has taught English dance for over two decades. In addition to being one of the leaders of the Philadelphia-based Germantown Country Dancers (English dance demonstration team), her calling has taken her from Amherst, MA to Ann Arbor, MI, from. the New England Folk Festival to Hey Days, from St. Croix to Vancouver, and many sessions at Pinewoods Camp.
Known for her clear calling and instruction, she also loves teaching workshops for ECD callers, and workshops that explore ECD technique, new dances, and how people learn and remember dance choreography.
Joanna also teaches Scottish dance and longsword dancing.
Sister Haggis
Jane Knoeck
Jane Knoeck is the premier of Rochester dance piano for both English country and contra. She is a founding member of the nationally touring band, The Groovemongers, and Montage. She is also a member of several other amazing bands, including River Bend, Sister Haggis (with Eileen Kalfass), and others reaching back over many years. She anchors any bands music with an inventive piano style that is rooted in tradion and eminently danceable.
And
Eileen Kalfass
Eileen Kalfass, the daughter of Syracuse’s own Bob Nicholson, grew up dancing and fiddling for dances. She has played nationally with such bands as Seaglass and Continental Drift, and her award-winning solo recording, “Crossing Bridges” features collaborations with lots of amazing dance musicians. Her sound is big, expressive, and dynamic.