Equally at home on fiddle and viola, Eric Martin is a dance musician who brings joy and soulful expression to many folk dance idioms. Through the freedom and improvisation inherent in traditional music, Eric enjoys the opportunity to break away from his Classical background while playing for English country dances, contra dances, festivals, balls, camps, and concerts throughout the United States, Canada, and Europe with Alchemy, Axelrod-Martin duo, and Coincidance. Eric holds performance degrees from Ithaca College and University of Limerick,
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Margaret Bary leads English Country and community dancing in New York City and beyond. She has been on staff at Pinewoods Family Week, Campers’ Week and other dance camps, teaching ECD, sword dance and classes for children and teens. As a member of Half Moon Sword, she hosts an annual sword dance festival, and performs locally, as well as at DART, NEFFA and the Marlboro Ale. Recently, Margaret along with her husband Jeff, have delved into dance choreography,
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Owen Morrison is an accomplished rhythm and lead guitarist, at home in many styles of traditional music. His playing, laced with rhythmic power and skillful finesse, has made him popular among dancers and fiddlers alike. Owen has toured the U.S. and abroad with bands such as Elixir, Airdance, Night Watch and The Morrison Brothers Band. A frequent staff member and Program Director at Pinewoods, Ashokan, Augusta, and many other camps.
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Rachel Bell is an accordion player based in Brattleboro, VT and in demand throughout North America and abroad for concerts, contra dances, French bal folk events, English country dances, workshops, camps, and festivals. This performer, tunesmith, and teacher draws her inspiration from Celtic, French, English, Quebecois, and New England traditions. Rachel’s greatest love is collaboration with other musicians, evidenced by her vibrant projects including Alchemy, Peregrine Road, Eloise & Co., Constellation, Andromeda,
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Karen Axelrod left the world of classical music over 40 years ago, and has found her home in the folk world. She is highly regarded for her creative piano playing at English, American and Scottish dance events around the US (including Pinewoods Dance Camps, Ogontz, Buffalo Gap, Berea Christmas Country Dance Week, The John C. Campbell Folk School, and BACDS events) and abroad. Her improvisational playing is lyrical yet touched with humor and whimsy.
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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.
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Scott Higgs began dancing in college, and started teaching soon thereafter (when the knowledgeable dancers graduated !). For over 30 years he has traveled the world, calling contras and English country dances. From Seattle to Antwerp, dancers praise Scott’s engaging programs, dynamic presentation, and emphasis on fun.
At home, Scott is one of the co-founders and leaders of Renegade Morris, organizes an ECD series, and regularly appears at local contra and ECD events.
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