American Dance & Music Week at Pinewoods

Does an incomparable week in the woods full of transcendent contras, delightful squares, and swingin’ songs sound appealing to you?

If so, then American Week will be a week full of what you love plus the joy of discovering some new things, too. Young or old, new or experienced, come relax amidst our participatory, welcoming vibe and the pressure-relieving radiance of Pinewoods Camp.

2025 highlights: In addition to the dancing you might expect, some highlights this year include classes on calling, musicianship, singing, flatfooting, tai chi, and fusion dancing.

And of course, we have our contras and squares. We have calling from Cis Hinkle, Janine Smith, and Michael Karcher. Meanwhile, this year’s music revolves around soaring New England melodies from the Stringrays (five piece version!) and deep doses of hot-hot-hot old-time from Jet Bridge. The staff is a unique dream-team of superlatively supportive, talented, world-class teacher-performers.

Dancers: Delightful contras and squares will leave you more in love with dancing than when you arrived. Fusion, flatfooting, line dancing, and more will give variety to your feet. 

Musicians: If you so desire, you could fill your day as an instrumentalist. We’re so lucky to have such talented performers this year. They will be sharing their expertise in a number of musician workshops. (Seriously. Rodney and Sami, for example, are your favorite fiddler’s favorite fiddlers.)

Callers: If you want to learn about calling, we have a mini caller’s workshop track featuring a Contra Caller’s Confab led by Lisa Greenleaf and a session on barn/family dances from Janine Smith.

Singers: If you want to spend some (or a lot) of your week singing, somehow—on top of all of the above—we have a bevy of singing offerings, from soulful mountain melodies to honky-tonk harmony with thanks to Lexi Ugelow and Paula Bradley.

Plus! The week is full of so many chances for fun and relaxation: creative parties, glorious pub singing, joyous jamming, art-making, the Raccoon Bar social hour and old-time jam, and tai chi! Camper-led opportunities include one-off Hot Shots sessions, as well as performing at the campers night dance and the Roadhouse late night.

This may all sound like a lot, but once you are here you’ll know that it is a week of discovery and pleasure. There will still be plenty of time to just sit back and enjoy yourself by the pond. So no matter your level, bring your shoes, your voice, and your instruments to join in. You’ll leave so glad you came and rejuvenated, relaxed, and inspired.

-Max Newman and Julie Metcalf, Program Directors

Arrival & Departure

Saturday Arrival Schedule:

Saturday Departure Schedule: 

Daily Schedule

Period 1

Wake up and Dance! – Janine Smith and Michael Karcher with the Stringrays

Contra dancing to get your legs moving and your lungs filled with pine-scented air. Singing squares to expel that air as you sing along, wake up your fun center, and warm up your voice for the day.

Appalachian Clogging: Basics and Beyond – Abby Ladin with Paula Bradley

Abby can teach anyone how to clog, even you! We’ll learn fundamental footwork, then practice stringing those elements together while keeping solid, rhythmic time. If you already clog, Abby will challenge you with syncopation and phrasing. Hard soled shoes are preferable but not required. 

Old-time Fiddle Tunes with Sami Braman

Come learn some tunes and a few techniques, too. We’ll spend time on bowing/rhythmic articulation, practicing playing with confidence, and active listening. Non-fiddlers with a patience for hearing about bowing are welcome! Instruction will be aimed at an intermediate level.

Singing One-on-Ones – Lexi Ugelow

Throughout the week, Lexi has special time available for singing/vocal coaching. If you want to learn, practice, explore, exercise your singing and vocal work, see Lexi to schedule. Don’t miss!

Period 2

Square ’em Up – Cis Hinkle with Sami Braman, Paula Bradley, Sam Bartlett, and Abby Ladin

In the 1950s and ‘60s, square dancing swept the country, and new moves were invented every day. Come explore some fresh ideas from “back in the day,” and a few contemporary takes on the tradition. Squares rock!

Songs of the Mountains with Lexi Ugelow

We’ll learn several beautiful songs—Appalachian and other delicacies—and work them up to perform for the camp.

New England Fiddling – Rodney Miller

Learn tunes and technique from a master fiddler. Rodney is excited to share some tunes and fiddle techniques. Other instruments are welcome as long as you don’t mind hearing about bowing. 

New England Piano Style – Charlie Pilzer

Learn the keys to the propulsive, driving New England style of piano playing. 

Period 3

Mind-bending Contras & More – Cis Hinkle and Michael Karcher

For a little more spice in your dancing experience, come explore some tricky moves, unexpected twists, challenging timing, and a few unusual formations.

Libana: Songs of Peace – Lexi Ugelow

Using only our voices, we’ll learn a mix of rounds, chants, and other Libana songs from the daughter of the band! As someone who has heard these since being on stage in the womb, Lexi is excited to share these songs of peace, humanity, and living in harmony with nature. Sight reading is not required as we will learn mostly by ear.

Everyday Comix – Sam Bartlett

Participants will write and draw autobiographical comix in a fun, no-talent-required drawing salon, guided by acclaimed comic/folk artist Sam, who has spent (too many) years depicting his life and the lives of others in comic form.

Essential Tunes for Living – Julie Metcalf

Play some tunes that will improve your life!

Period 4

Fusion Dance Basics – Annie Kidwell

Fusion is a space for mixing and matching dance styles. Blues, West Coast swing, waltz, and more—and how to fuse them—will be explored in this all levels class. All welcome. No experience required. 

Red Case Tunes – Stuart Kenney

Everyone of any musical ability is welcome to come collaborate on a one-of-a-kind musical meditation and creation. Rejuvenation and inspiration (and Stuart) are your guides.

Honky-Tonk and Harmony Sing

Description coming soon!

Contra Caller’s Confab – Lisa Greenleaf

We love getting into the nitty gritty of calling and will explore a different theme each day. Participants can choose from such topics as: stellar walk throughs, working with musicians, programming secrets, gotta have stage presence, and practice-practice-practice! We will create a safe space to enjoy learning from each other, so get ready to boost your skill set and your confidence! All experience levels are welcome.

Period 5

Movement Improvement with Tai Chi – Cis Hinkle

Tai Chi, the ancient Chinese meditative martial art, is sometimes called “swimming in the air.” Come learn these gentle and powerful movements to enhance your flexibility, strength, balance, and flow.  You’ll feel better at the end of class than when you came in, guaranteed!

Let’s Throw A Barn Dance! – Janine Smith

Ever been asked by a friend to call a dance at their wedding? Or are you in a community with a lot of 20- and 30-year-olds and you want to get them up and dancing fast? Want to dance some really fun, easy dances in the last period of the day? Well, come on down! Learn how to call simple but satisfying dances that build community and get everyone (including you) smiling and laughing and having a big old time. Dancers, callers, and musicians are welcome to attend this very happy workshop. On Thursday, we switch over to honky tonk line dancing to get ready for the big after-hours Roadhouse. This class is where the fifth period P-A-R-T-Y is!

Hot Shots

A time for one-offs. This could be dance, song, craft, a walk in the woods, a genre jam session, etc. Most of these will be camper-initiated, so bring your ideas!

Late Afternoons

Raccoon Bar

Snacks. Beverages (including non-alcoholic). Old-time music, in the key of the day. All are welcome. Just a good old time.

CDSS camps use a variety of calling terms, including gendered and non-gendered role terms, as well as positional language, at the discretion of each week’s Program Director. Read more about CDSS and dance calling language here.

Camp fees cover all accommodation, meals from dinner on the arrival day to breakfast on the departure day, and all of the various dance, music, and song events in the program. 

This year, all of our weeks have sliding scale pricing for adults to help make camp financially accessible to more people. The fee you choose will not affect your chance of getting into camp.

How it works:

• The standard camper fee covers program staff pay and travel costs, facility fees, and all of the other costs associated with running this camp week.
• The higher price options allow you to add an additional amount to your registration fee to help make camp more accessible to more people. Thanks for supporting this community!
• If the standard camper fee doesn’t work for you, no worries! Feel free to choose one of the lower price options.
• If the lower price tiers still leave camp out of reach for you, we encourage you to apply for a scholarship and/or work exchange. See our Scholarships page for more details

Sliding Scale Fees

You can find more information about the registration process here.