Led by folk dance artist Kerry Fletcher working with a musician, the one day course is for dance educators, callers and others who wish to expand their knowledge and skills in teaching English social folk dance (country, ceilidh and barn dancing) – in schools, community settings and adult learning.
We are keen to increase the pool of people with strong skills in teaching English social folk dance in a variety of settings. No previous experience of English folk dance is required, although prior experience as a dance teacher (in any genre), or of participating in English folk dance, is deemed helpful.
The aims of the course are to:
- Share good practice in teaching social folk dance in schools and community settings
- Provide practical training in social folk dances
- Demonstrate how to plan and adapt dances for varied ages, abilities and settings
- Explore the partnership between folk dance and folk music – including working with musicians
- Signpost further professional development
- Introduce freely available learning resources on the Resource Bank and elsewhere, for using folk music, dance and drama.
- Provide a networking opportunity
Topics covered included:
- Structure and creativity
- Figures, formations and conventions
- Gender-free calling and terminology
- Adapting dances for disabled dancers and odd numbers
- Approaching folk dance as part of the school curriculum and in varied community settings
- Working with music, both live and recorded - phrasing, rhythm and tempo
Before I thought ‘I wonder if...’,
now ‘I know I can!’
Participant
Kerry Fletcher trained as a community folk dance artist, working in wide range of settings with people from a variety of backgrounds and ages. She is the Co-ordinator of the English Folk Dance and Song Society’s (EFDSS) national Folk Education Network, established in 2011 to encourage high quality practice in folk arts education. She has been delivering dance projects and training workshops with EFDSS for 15 years and is a proud recipient of their esteemed Gold Badge for her ‘outstanding services to folk dance and wider folk arts.’
Kerry is also Co-Artistic Director of Folk Dance Remixed, with Natasha Khamjani – working in the great outdoors, their trailblazing work creates a sense of joy and connection through performance and participation. Their innovative fusion of traditional folk with contemporary hip hop dance styles and live music, brings people together from across generations and cultures.
Kerry also runs her own classes, calls and teaches at events and clubs up and down the country. She is particularly keen to inspire and encourage new people to the delights of English folk!
Course content draws from the publication English Traditional Dancing, a copy of which was given to all course participants.
Presented by EFDSS' Dance Development Programme, this course has previously been run at Cecil Sharp House and at The Lowry.
For more information about the next training day or to be added to the mailing list, contact [email protected]| 020 7241 8953
