Dance, Music, & Song Camps
Noah VanNorstrand’s driving fiddle, feet and mandolin have been a rhythmic powerhouse behind some of the most popular dance bands of the last decade including Great Bear, Buddy System, Wake Up Robin and The Faux Paws. He has performed all over North America at nearly two hundred different dance weekends, folk festivals and music camps. His musicianship is deeply compelling and virtuosic but difficult to define; freely blending traditional folk genres such as Celtic and Old-time Applachian fiddling with elements of rock, newgrass and pure unfiltered improvisation. His unique approach to foot percussion and innate understanding of dynamics and groove have made him a defining figure of modern contra dance music. He often works with his older brother Andrew VanNorstrand and together they manage their own independent label, Great Bear Records, which has released over a dozen albums. Noah is also a prolific composer and many of his tunes can be found in the recently published music book Long Flight Home: Original tunes by Andrew & Noah VanNorstrand. Whether he’s leading a full band or completely solo and unaccompanied, Noah’s music is always inspired, honest, irresistibly dance-able.