Syllabus of Dance Descriptions
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Syllabus of Dance Descriptions STOCKTON FOLK DANCE CAMP – 2012 – FINAL – 08/07/2012 In Memoriam Desa Djordjević May 1927–November 2011 Desa Djordjević joined the first professional ensemble founded in Beograd, Serbia, and stayed with it until her retirement in 1980. In Ansambl Kolo, she was first a dancer and singer, and later became the choreographer and assistant artistic director. With Ansambl Kolo, she visited many countries on five continents. Desa spent much time in Serbia exploring and recording folk dances, made three records of melodies and songs for dances of Serbia, and together with Rickey Holden, made two dance records. In 1988, her book of dances from the central part of Serbia was published. She was a permanent teacher in the Serbian Research Center, which organizes seminars for folk dancing each summer in Serbia. Desa taught at Stockton Folk Dance Camp in 1996. Morris Gelman April 1920–September 2011 Morris (“Morry”) Gelman, born in Minneapolis, was the premier teacher of Bavarian schuhplattlers and zwiefachers in the United States, teaching at camps, workshops, seminars, and conferences all over North America, including Stockton Folk Dance Camp. He helped organize the International Folk Dance Federation of Minnesota in 1951. He met Nancy Borgman when she walked into his Minneapolis YMCA folk dance class in 1949. The couple was married in 1951 and danced together for over 50 years. Between 1951 and 1956, during Morry’s time stationed on a U.S. Air Force base near Munich, Germany, he and Nancy were members of the Munich Schuhplattler Trachten Verein dance group. In 1958, the couple returned Stateside, and even- tually ended up in Los Angeles, where Morry was employed by NASA. During the next few years, Morry started four folk dance groups. Morry danced with the Westwood Folk Dance Co-op, acting as its first president. In 1959, Morry was invited to teach at Stockton Folk Dance Camp for the first time. He subsequently taught many times at the San Diego University Folk Dance Conference and the Idyllwild Folk Dance Workshop as well as again at Stockton Folk Dance Camp in 1979. In April 2010, more than 90 friends, NASA colleagues and family members gathered for an evening of waltzing, polkas, and a myriad of international folk dances for Morry’s 90th birthday. Everyone still chuckles when they remember all of the family history stories he wanted to tell that night. It was a fitting way to celebrate a life of dance, music, culture, and friendship. STOCKTON FOLK DANCE CAMP – 2012 – FINAL – 08/07/2012 Neal Sandler August 1931–March 2012 Born in Philadelphia in 1931, Neal Sandler had a life-long interest in dance and theater as well as a career in engineering. Neal’s early theatrical experience included training in both ballet and modern dance. He brought this experience to his initial involvement with Westwind in Los Angeles in the early 1960s, where he eventually became a co-director with Anthony Ivancich. With Westwind, he acquired a growing interest in both recreational folk dance and in the theatrical presentation of folk material. When Neal and his wife, Carol, moved to California’s San Francisco Bay Area in 1966, they started a San Francisco branch of Westwind. Their unselfish contributions of time and energy enabled Westwind to become a strong amateur performing group. In addition to Westwind, Neal worked extensively with Jubilee American Dance Theatre, also based in the San Francisco Bay Area. Neal, with his far- reaching and ever-present artistic vision, became a mentor for many young folk dancers, some of whom went on to pursue professional careers in folk dance. Neal was a vendor at Stockton Folk Dance Camp in the mid-1970s. Although he never taught at Stockton Folk Dance Camp, Neal contributed to Northern California folk dance at every level. He enjoyed working with beginners, helping them to enjoy folk dancing while carefully teaching them their first dances. He also worked well with advanced dancers, particularly in Westwind, where he taught not only about dancing, but also a great deal about acting and theatrical presentation. He taught in many venues, including the Menlo Park Recreation Center, the South Whidbey International Folkdancers, the Stanford International Dancers, Ashkenaz coffeehouse, Hearst Gym, J house, Stanford Tressider Union, the Mandala coffeehouse, and Hillel. STOCKTON FOLK DANCE CAMP – 2012 – FINAL – 08/07/2012 Preface Many of the dance descriptions in the syllabus have been or are being copyrighted. They should not be reproduced in any form without permission. Specific permission of the instructors involved must be secured. Camp is satisfied if a suitable by-line such as “Learned at Folk Dance Camp, University of the Pacific” is included. Loui Tucker served as editor of this syllabus, with valuable assistance from Karen Bennett, Marge Gajicki, and Joyce Lissant Uggla. A special round of applause for Nila Shimomura, Sueko Takahashi- Gilbert and Keiko Sakura Trenholm for their timely and valuable help with the Japanese material. We are indebted to members of the Dance Research Committee of the Folk Dance Federation of California (North and South) for assistance in preparing the Final Syllabus. Cover art copyright © 2012 Susan Gregory. (Thanks, Susan.) Please do not use the art without Susan’s permission. Abbreviations Used in the Syllabus beg beginning, begin meas measure bkwd backward opp opposite CCW counterclockwise orig original cpl(s) couple(s) pos position ct(s) count(s) ptr(s) partner(s) ctr center R right CW clockwise RLOD reverse line of direction (CW) diag diagonal; diagonally sdwd sideward Fig figure shldr(s) shoulder(s) ft foot, feet T-pos hands on shoulders ftwk footwork twd toward fwd forward V-pos hands joined and held down L left W woman, women LOD line of direction (CCW) W-pos hands joined, elbows bent M man, men wt weight Folk Dance Camp Committee Jeff O’Connor, Director Bobi Ashley, Adony Beniares, Gordon Deeg, Bob Harris, Bruce Mitchell, Lee Otterholt, Loui Tucker, Dr. Steven Turner, and E. David Uggla. Founder and Director of Folk Dance Camp 1948-67—Lawton Harris STOCKTON FOLK DANCE CAMP – 2012 – FINAL – 08/07/2012 NOTES STOCKTON FOLK DANCE CAMP – 2012 – FINAL – 08/07/2012 FACULTY BIOGRAPHIES George and Irina Arabagi (Ukrainian & Moldavian) George and Irina Arabagi are graduates with honors of the Choreographic College in Kiev, Ukraine, and former principal dancers with the Moldavian State Academic Dance Company, Joc, which has toured more than 25 countries around the world. During their time in Joc, George was awarded the title of “People’s Artist” and Irina “Merited Artist of Moldova.” In 1999, George and Irina settled in Sacramento, California. Shortly after that, they became the directors and choreographers of the local Ukrainian children’s ensemble, Sonechko, which in 2006 merged with the adult Ukrainian group, Kalyna, keeping the latter name. In March 2011, George and Irina taught at the Camellia International Dance Festival in Sacramento and they were featured again a year later. This is their first appearance at Stockton camp. Pampa Cortés (Argentine Tango) Pampa Cortés hails from Santiago del Estero, Argentina. At age 15, he embarked on a professional career that has spanned five decades. Cortés initially studied and performed with master folk dancers. With his own company Ballet Pampa, he was invited to present in the most prestigious folkloric festival in Argentina. Pampa danced for six years in the tango Ballet of Juan Carlos Copes, achieving the post of assistant choreographer and captain. He directed the folkloric and tango company of Argentine TV’s “Grandes Valores del Tango” and performed in the best houses in Buenos Aires, working alongside the biggest names in Argentine tango dance and music. Cortés has performed and taught in the US, Canada, Western Europe, Japan, and in several Central and South American countries. He came to the United States as choreographer with the international tour of “Tango Revue.” He toured the US for more than two years with the stage hit “Forever Tango.” He settled in San Francisco, CA, founded his production company Tango A Media Luz and produced several stage shows. Pampa Cortés’ clean footwork and elegant masculinity have inspired thousands. His presence in the international press, his extensive work for Japanese TV, his photos in tango books and on CD covers, including his photo on the back cover of the hit CD “Tango” by Julio Iglesias, have made him recognizable by millions. His long, prosperous career and large body of artistic work confirm Pampa Cortés as a dance legend. STOCKTON FOLK DANCE CAMP – 2012 – FINAL – 08/07/2012 Cristian Florescu and Sonia Dion (Romanian) Cristian Florescu was born in Bucharest, Romania. He started dancing in 1982 with different Romanian folk ensembles and studied with various specialists, including Theodor Vasilescu. Cristian was principal dancer with the National Ensemble Cununa Carpatilor. In 1990-91, he received his certificate as a recognized solo dancer and choreographer in the field of folklore from the Romanian Ministry of Culture and the ACAFR. In 1993, he joined Les Sortilèges, a professional folk dance company based in Montreal, as a dancer, teacher, rehearsal director and choreographer. During his time in Canada, Cristian has acquired multiple skills in various dance forms, including modern dance, ballroom, jazz and tap, as well as French-Canadian and Irish step dancing. Sonia Dion was born in Quebec and has been a professional dancer for over 20 years. She was lead dancer and choreographer for Les Sortilèges dance company, Canada’s oldest folk dance ensemble, with whom she developed several new productions. Sonia has toured worldwide and has been exposed to a wide range of dance techniques including Romanian folk dance, Scottish Highland dancing, French- Canadian step dance and ballroom dance.