Folklore Village Cajun Weekend 2019 Staff Bios

The life work of Jesse Lége A native of Lafayette, is to bring traditional, foot- LA, Darren Wallace stompin’ Cajun dance hall started playing fiddle, music from the dusty back guitar, mandolin and bass roads of southwest Louisiana, fiddle at the age of 15. coast to coast and around His search for the area’s the world. older musicians led him Jesse defines traditional to master fiddlers such as Louisiana dance hall music. Lionel LeLeux and Varise Conner. His unmistakeable hard He absorbed their musical traditions, and went on to driving style of accordion develop his own unique style of playing. playing and his powerful voice Darren has shared the stage with many of the legends will get even the most staid of Cajun and Zydeco music. He has played, toured and listener up on the dance floor. recorded with many great Cajun bands.

Ellen Keane has spent most of Betsy Neil is an accomplished her life studying dance forms player in many styles. She has been and dancing bodies. Her focus performing since 1976 in numer- is on knowing our bodies in ous groups, including the Buffalo space and in relationship to Gals. In Bayou Grenouille, she plays others, the power of nonver- traditional Cajun dance music of bal communication, whether rural southwest Louisiana, in a intended or not. Partnering has double-fiddle style that traces back specific challenges that cross to the Acadian French dances along social dance forms. Cajun dance the Louisiana bayous in the 1800's. She teaches strings is her favorite form of partnering. She approaches in the LaCrosse, Wisconsin schools and will be teach- her classes like a clinic and likes to make dancers ing beginning Cajun fiddle. more comfortable and confident in their ability to dance with multiple partners with success. Brian O' Donnell plays fiddle for Madison's The Cajun Strangers. One of their celebrated albums Charlie and John Terr have contributed fab- was awarded the 2010 Prix De- ulous musicianship and charm to our Cajun Hors de Nous from the Cajun Weekends since the beginning. They are both French Music Association. Brian founders of the renowned Chicago Cajun has traveled many times to Loui- Aces and continue to teach, play and inspire siana and has studied with Courtney Granger and audiences and students across Kevin Wimmer. He will teach two fiddle work- the country. John plays with the Terr-Doug- shops, one for intermediate students, and one for las Quintet and the New Riverside Ramblers. both beginning and intermediate. John will teach two Cajun guitar workshops and tit fer (Cajun triangle), and Charlie will See the Schedule for teach two intermediate accordion workshops. workshop times Gene Losey will guide beginning accordion players in basic scales, fingering and the techniques that "make it sound Cajun." Don't have an accordion? We can find one for you to use if you in- quire early! Gene will teach two beginning accordion workshops on Saturday. Beginning students also have the chance to learn with Charlie Terr on Sunday morning at a third workshop.