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Buffalo Gap Camp

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Nordic Fiddles & Feet 2003

Evaluation Form

If you didn't fill out and hand in an evaluation form during camp, now is your chance to fill one out online.

Description from the Brochure

Dance classes include Swedish, Norwegian and Basics and are designed for all levels of dancers. Dance basics is intended to give beginners an introduction to Scandinavian dancing while working on skills that help all levels of dancing. We change partners often (you need not register with one). Evening parties are varied with gammaldans, mixers, bygdedans, dances taught during daily classes, and your special requests. We dance to live music at every session and party!

Music classes include multiple levels of Swedish and/or Norwegian fiddle, as well as hardingfele, nyckelharpa, and singing. (Yes, this year we'll have more than one singing group.) Classes are generally taught "by ear"; sheet music may be available later. To take a fiddle class you should be a competent fiddler in some tradition, but may be new to Scandinavian music. For basic hardingfele or nyckelharpa you need to have some musical background. Basic singing will include language coaching. The gammaldans band and allspel sessions are open to ALL instruments and singers. We also offer coaching with small ensembles.

Crafts and cultural sessions will be presented by various members of the staff throughout the week.

Swedish Staff

EVA EDBERG & LARS-GÖRAN MACKENGARD are part of the team that initiated the revival of Slängpolska. They worked with dancers and musicians to research and recreate this popular 19th century dance done throughout Sweden and seen consistently with similar styling. After more than 25 years of work the basic dance is stable and the team is confident that they have found the pattern and structure of the dance. Eva and Lars-Göran are passionate about teaching and sharing their experience and joy of this dance with other dancers and musicians.

BRITT-MARIE PERSSON grew up surrounded by folkmusic and dance. She learned directly Röjas Gustav and Röjos Jonas (from Boda in Dalarna), and earned her Riksspelman title in 1977 for playing Boda. In the 1980s Britt-Marie began to experiment with 16th-note polska tunes from Uppland and Bingsjö as dance music for the newly rediscovered slängpolska. She is now recognized for her improvisation and development of those tunes to a basic rhythm suitable for slängpolska.

ANN-SOFI NILSSON grew up in Malung singing and dancing. She has studied with Maria Röjås, at the music conservatory in Falun, and is now studying for a degree in voice and vocal instruction with folkmusic emphasis in Ingesund. Most of her repertoire comes from western Sweden and Norway. She has taught song classes in Sweden and toured in Scandinavia and England, especially with the vocal quartet Västerdalälvorna.

Norwegian Staff

BODIL & KNUT ODNES have danced Vågå springleik together for many years and are class A dancers at the Landskappleik. The 2002 Landskappleik was held in Vågå with Knut as one of the organizers. Knut and Bodil are members of Vågå Spel-og Dansarlag and have danced and taught springleik, parhalling, and gammaldans throughout the world. Knut has studied Norwegian Folk dance at the University in Trondheim with special emphasis on springleik and the dance traditions of Gudbrandsdalen and how to teach these dances.

IVAR ODNES grew up fiddling and dancing within the tradition of springleik from Gudbrandsdal, especially Vågå. He has led the Vågå spelemannslag, has played extensively with Leif-Inge Schølberg, and is a member of both the popular band, Nye Ringnesin, and of the international ensemble Fiolöveret. He has toured and taught extensively in Norway and abroad. Students and dancers have loved his clear, enthusiastic teaching and playing.

State-Side Staff

ROO LESTER & LARRY HARDING are widely known throughout the US. They have an encouraging, clear style of teaching that makes them favorite teachers for both experienced and novice dancers. Their energy and enthusiasm can't be beat!

ANDREA HOAG is loved from east coast to west by Scandinavian and contradance fans. While living in Sweden she attended the Malung folk-music class, and studied with older generation tradition bearers. She has several recordings to her credit (she and Elizabeth have even recorded together).

ELIZABETH FOSTER lived (and taught music) for a number of years in the Hallingdal area of Norway and also made frequent trips to Valdres to study with hardingfele masters. She also lived briefly in Sweden (with Björn Ståbi, whose children she taught piano!). Her musicality and ability to improvise make her a popular member of any session.

PETER MICHAELSEN is music director for Springdans Northwest and allspel leader at Scandia Camp Mendocino. He travels to Sweden for study and performance and is known for both his breadth of repertoire and regional styling.

PAUL MORRISSETT is valued for his command of many instruments and genres. Among scandophiles he is well known for his spirited, danceable telespringar. He has made many trips to Norway to study with Hauk Buen among others. He currently makes his living as a musician and is an excellent teacher.

Registration, Policies, etc.

REGISTRATION: The total cost of the seven-day program is $555 per adult. A $175 deposit is due by May 1; we will hold a place for you when we receive the deposit. The balance of $380 must be postmarked by June 1. Deposits are fully refundable until then, but not thereafter. There is a $40 surcharge on all applications postmarked AFTER MAY 1. These must be accompanied by the FULL AMOUNT of $595, not by a deposit only. No registrations will be accepted after June 12. Please enclose TWO SELF-ADDRESSED, STAMPED ENVELOPES (SASE) with registrations. A one-page registration form in pdf format can be found here.

Sorry, NO PART-TIMERS, NO VISITORS, and NO PETS. NO SMOKING is allowed in any camp buildings. We adhere to these policies. Please do not ask for exceptions.

WORK SCHOLARSHIPS are available, mainly in the kitchen, at a reduced rate of $295 ($345 after May 1). All positions involve about 3 hours daily and can be arranged so that you don't miss special classes. You need a current TB test to work in the kitchen. To apply, send a letter, along with your registration form and deposit, describing your cooking or other RELEVANT experience. Please call or email for more details.

CHILDREN are welcome with a responsible adult (under 3, free; Ages 3-7, $160; Ages 8-15, $225; 16 and up, full price). Parents are responsible for their children. We will put the parents in touch with one another and if you would like, you may arrange programs for the children together.

BUFFALO GAP COMMUNITY CAMP is in Capon Bridge, WV, near Winchester, VA, about 2 hours west of Washington, DC. It is a rustic 200 acre camp with a beautiful, open-air, covered dance pavilion overlooking a small, private swimming lake with a sandy beach (bathing suits are optional) and a wood burning sauna at one end. Cabins are nestled in the hill surrounding the pavilion. Some are only screened in, others are more enclosed. The bathrooms facilities range from sinks and toilets in the cabin and group showers, to rennovated full bathrooms shared by 3 to 4 rooms. Expect to share a cabin with up to 8 people. You are welcome to bring a tent for more privacy.

DETAILS will be sent later. Don't forget your SASE with your registration! If you fly, plan to arrive at Dulles Airport by 4 p.m. on Saturday. We can help you coordinate with other campers needing rental cars and, if possible, arranging rides.

ARRIVE at camp AFTER 5 p.m. on Saturday. Camp begins with dinner at 7 p.m. on SATURDAY, JUNE 28 and ends on SATURDAY, JULY 5 after breakfast. You can plan flights home after 2 p.m. on Saturday.

SYLLABUS: You may pre-order dance ($4) or music ($6) syllabi by checking to appropriate box on the registration form. If you plan to take music (including singing) classes, it is best to pre-order.

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