Jeff has been playing piano and singing since he was five years old. At a young age he discovered an affinity for popular music and developed his style emulating musicians like James Taylor, Elton John, and Bruce Hornsby. In his 30s, he brought his rhythmic style to American and Celtic folk and dance music and now travels around the country playing dances, concerts and festivals with bands such as Syncopaths and Rhythm Raptors.
In addition to playing music,
I started dancing morris in 1974 as a founding member of Marlboro Morris and Sword. I have been dancing with MMS ever since and have been the team foreman for 40+/- years. We perform our original morris, sword, and molly dances.
When not morris and sword dancing, I taught physical education for 35 years, kindergarten through college. In retirement, my husband Bob and I are helping to rehabilitate a water powered mill and blissfully survive mud season producing maple syrup.
Brad Foster loves sharing the joy of dance through his teaching. He started teaching in his teens and running events in his twenties. Brad is co-founder of the Mendocino Country Dance Camps (the predecessor of Hey Days) and was Executive and Artistic Director of the Country Dance and Song Society for 28 years; he was Program Director For English Week ten times between 1986 and 2013. Brad has traveled throughout the U.S., Canada and Europe as a teacher of English country,
Dave Langford is an experienced and versatile fiddler and guitarist and fiddle teacher from the Boston area. A veteran of 30+ years of playing for public dances, weddings, parties and late night sessions, Dave combines multiple styles of fiddling with fierce energy and drive. He has been a staff member for music and dance weeks at Pinewoods, Ogontz, Mendocino, Augusta and Christmas Country Dance School at Berea KY as well as hundreds of weekend dance events around the US and beyond.
Carol has been part of the Boston area dance community her whole life. She is a classically trained violinist and an avid contra dancer, having started both at an early age. Over 30 years ago, she put the two together and began
playing fiddle for contra and English Country dances. She has played all over New England and as far as California and believes that dancing and playing for dances is more fun than anything.
Brooke Friendly is known for her warm yet commanding personality, clear teaching, sense of whimsy, and focus on community. A dancer for more than 40 years, she teaches English country dance using global/positional language and strategies in a variety of settings including college academic credit and for older adults. Brooke has been on staff at week-long dance and music camps, weekends, festivals, and events throughout North America, England, and Australia. She has led numerous workshops for callers,
Kate Barnes has been playing more instruments, in more genres, in more interesting locations, for longer than most of us can remember. She currently plays in the Latter Day Lizards, Bare Necessities, Celantrio and a myriad of pickup bands. Kate also keeps herself busy with teaching, recording, publishing music books, composing, ceramics and wisecrackery.
Alex Cumming is a traditional singer, accordionist and dance caller hailing from Somerset, England who now lives in Boston, MA. He performs songs and tunes from around the UK and beyond with a great depth of knowledge for the traditions backed up by a Bachelor’s Degree in Folk & Traditional Music from Newcastle University. Alex has made his mark on the folk scene with his rhythmic danceable accordion style, strong voice and his fun and engaging stage presence.
Karen Axelrod is highly regarded for her creative piano playing at English, American and Scottish dance events around the country. She is in the band Foxfire, Alchemy with Eric Martin and Rachel Bell, and Peregrine Road with Rachel Bell. Karen plays accordion with 3rd String Trio, a band that plays old world cafe music. She also plays accordion for Orion Longsword. She loves the ensemble aspect of playing for dancing, as well as the close connection between what the musicians do and what the dancers do.
Anna Patton is a clarinetist, singer, composer, and educator driven by musical curiosity. She plays with the internationally touring dance band Elixir and with many other contra, ECD, and swing/blues bands. She loves to teach ensemble classes, improvisation, and ear training. In her home town of Brattleboro VT, she directs the Soubrette Jazz Choir which performs her creative arrangements of historical and contemporary American music. She also enjoys drinking good espresso and playing ping pong.
Dance, Music, & Song Camps