Louis Henschen is a violinist based in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Beginning violin lessons at the age of 4 in his hometown of Austin, Texas, Louis was trained in the classical tradition of solo and orchestral repertoire, eventually receiving his Bachelor’s degree in violin performance from Baylor University in 2018. After graduation, Louis moved to Ann Arbor where he began studies at the University of Michigan, where he received a Master of Music degree in 2020.
Brad is an accomplished and innovative fiddler of many styles, including contras and squares, English country, swing, and Scandinavian. Brad can be found playing contra and English country dances in and around Ann Arbor most weeks with Big Fun, Debbie Jackson, the Ruffwater String Band, or other fabulous Michigan musicians. Brad has also staffed dance weeks and weekends from Colorado to Denmark and Cape Breton to Texas. Along with his fiddling partner, Bruce Sagan,
Sotty Leach has been playing fiddle since before he was born. Ultrasounds from his time in the womb show what experts have said appear to be a gestating piano and fiddle alongside him. His mother has not confirmed these rumors. As an adult, Scotty now plays with fellow Cavell staff member Ben Schreiber in a contra trio called the Dam Beavers. In his spare time, Scotty enjoys traveling and exploring, working out and exercising,
This generation of Carlbergs, both Dana and Bryce, started dancing as children and based out of Berea Kentucky. They have been dancing morris and rapper sword for 25 years, and started teaching about 10 years ago. They have performed on multiple teams around the world, and competed in and judged DART (Dance America Rapper Tournament). Although this is their first year on staff at Dance, Music and Spice, they have a long history of attending CDSS and other dance camps,
This generation of Carlbergs, both Dana and Bryce, started dancing as children and based out of Berea Kentucky. They have been dancing morris and rapper sword for 25 years, and started teaching about 10 years ago. They have performed on multiple teams around the world, and competed in and judged DART (Dance America Rapper Tournament). Although this is their first year on staff at Dance, Music and Spice, they have a long history of attending CDSS and other dance camps,
Dan Blim is a dancer, caller, and choreographer of English, Scottish, and Contra Dances. Based in Columbus, OH, Dan teaches music history at Denison University and loves trivia, board games, baking, movies, and musicals.
Kendall Rogers (piano, accordion, guitar, bodhran) has been playing traditional dance tunes since he started picking them out on the piano at about age 4 or 5. He has been performing on piano in public at American folk dance events since about age 15, adding other related dance events over the next *mumbled number* years. Steeped in the rich Appalachian folk heritage of his native Kentucky, alongside the Celtic/American/Canadian/British/Danish musical traditions of his family’s dance customs,
Diane Sutliff has worked in many art forms, from painting, drawing, and textiles, to costume construction, cigar box guitars, and Franken-fiddles. Right now, she is mostly focused on pottery and human potential. Since 1995 she has taught thousands of kids and adults to draw, both in public schools and at her own neighborhood art classes. She currently teaches pre-K through 8th grade artists at several schools in Chicago. She likes to give her students tips and tricks,
Ben Schreiber, a fiddler and tune writer rooted in the contra dance scene, brings a diverse musical palette influenced by his Midwest upbringing and years in the San Francisco Bay Area. Having started with the Suzuki method at an early age, Ben’s musical journey has been enriched through exploration of folk music. While best known for his contributions to contra dance bands like Uncle Farmer, the Dam Beavers, Offbeats, and Potent Brew, he also performs with the newly-established chamber-folk trio,
Alex Cumming is a traditional singer, accordionist, pianist and dance caller hailing from Somerset, England, now living in Brattleboro VT, USA. He performs songs and tunes from around the United Kingdom and America with a great depth of knowledge of the tradition. Alex has made his mark on the folk scene with his rhythmic dance-able accordion style, strong voice and his fun and engaging stage presence.
After over a decade of recording albums and touring with various bands,
Dance, Music, & Song Camps