Becoming a dance caller, leader and educator...

I was born in the UK, but moved to Dearborn, Mi in 1984. I grew up studying ballet, tap and jazz among other dance forms. In 1993 I saw a flier for a Contra Dance at Lovett Hall (Dearborn, Mi), stating "no partner required.... easy for beginners..." So, I went along and instantly fell in love with the music, the energy and the pervasive sense of joy.

I continued to explore traditional dances of the Anglo-Celtic variety, traveling to workshops and dance weekends whenever feasible. I moved to Ft. Myers in October 2007 planning to distance myself from dance in order to complete my studies and concentrate on furthering my new career in civil engineering. However, sometimes "life" intervenes; in January 2008 I found myself "calling" English Country Dances to a newly formed group whose founders (Brad and Betsy Hopkins) were abroad.

From 2008-2013 I was the primary leader, caller, and educator, organizing three relatively successful dance weekends in the Fort Myers area. I taught English Country Dancing, on a voluntary basis, at the Wa-Ke Hatchee Recreation Center, and traveled regularly to Naples for Irish set dance classes with Susanna Haslett, to the Tampa area for contra dances and to Sarasota for Scottish Country Dances. It was my hope and intent to establish similar groups in Ft. Myers.

I am indebted to dance callers Susan English and Glen Morningstar whose calling styles influenced me and, in partcular, to Brian Johnson who mentored me on his seasonal trips to Florida, and provided me with a wealth of material. All three callers have provided so much enjoyment to so many over the years.