our Sunday 11/08 Workshops
Ripley Grier Studios near Columbus Circle:939 8th Ave, New York, NY, 10019 — Rooms 2A, 3B, and 4BRemember to bring your photo ID for entry to the building!
Directions from Workshops to Hall (15min by train, Take the 1 train from Columbus Circle to 86th St)
Folk Dance Taster
Room 2A
Time: 10:30 am to 11:30 am
Cathie Springer has been teaching and performing Bulgarian folk dance since 1979. A founder of the Bosilek Bulgarian Folk Dance Ensemble in New York City, she has been the group’s artistic director since 1981. For over 6 years, since the start of COVID in 2020, she has been teaching twice-weekly classes in Bulgarian dance online via Zoom. Cathie is a member of the team presenting the annual Bulgarian Folk Music & Dance Seminar in Plovdiv and is translator of several books on Bulgarian folk music. In 2019, she was awarded the medal of honor of the President of Bulgaria. She is featured in the prize-winning Bulgarian documentary film, Soul Beyond Measure.
Cathie will share some lively traditional dances of Bulgaria. Join the circle and have fun moving to exciting music in rhythms like 7/8, 9/8, 11/16 and more. No partner and no experience needed! See you then!
Time: 11:30 am to 12:30 pm
Sztajerek is a traditional Polish couple's folk dance performed in a 3/4 time signature and in many Polish regional dialects, the word simply became a local term for a waltz. It is highly prominent in southern Polish folklore, particularly around Rzeszów, Nowy Sącz, and the Pieniny Mountains.
Rafal Pustelny is a vibrant dancer and instructor who is passionate about traditional dances from all around the world! Rafal grew up in Poland and moved to NYC in 2010 where he studied Vernacular Jazz dance forms, Tap, Clogging, Hungarian folk dances, and Polish folk dances. He continued his Polish folk dance education as a member of Polish American Folk Dance Company where he learned and performed dances from various regions of Poland.His wide knowledge and skill in various styles has helped him win top placements in international competitions and has created opportunities for him to teach around the world. As a performer, he works with several regional groups, including “Gatsby Entertainment,” “The Vanaver Caravan,” “Project Connect”, and Polish American Folk Dance Company. A Frankie Manning Foundation Ambassador, he teaches and performs locally with “You Should Be Dancing” studios. You can also find him at international events where he works with dance communities across the globe.
Time: 12:30 pm to 1:30 pm
Get ready to move, groove, and work it on the dance floor! This high-energy line dance class is all about confidence, attitude, and having fun while learning dynamic routines set to today’s hottest tracks and throwback favorites.
Designed for all levels, this class focuses on easy-to-follow choreography, stylish footwork, and adding your own flair to every step. You’ll build coordination, boost your confidence, and get a great full-body workout—all without needing a partner.
Samuel Coleman is a multi-disciplinary teaching/performing artist who has taught and facilitated for many prestigious institutions including: Jazz at Lincoln Center, Jazzmobile, The Ailey School, The Spence School, The Dalton School, Grace Church School, Columbia Grammer & Preparatory School, City and Country School, High School for Contemporary Arts, Talented Unlimited High School, Columbia University, New York University Tisch School of the Arts, Yale University, Rutgers University, New Jersey Performing Arts Center, Hunter College, New York Police Department, Harlem One Stop, Boys and Girls Club of Harlem, Minton’s Playhouse, Ginny’s Supper Club, Swing 46, Harlem Stage, The Sugar Hill Children’s Museum of Art & Storytelling, Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts Midsummer Night Swing and Summer for the City, City Parks Foundation SummerStage, New York City Department of Education, 92nd Street Y, Jazz Power Initiative and Harlem School of the Arts, The National Jazz Museum in Harlem. Samuel received his first crew credit listing in a feature film as the choreographer for Sundance released “PASSING” directed by Rebecca Hall starring Tessa Thompson and Ruth Negga. Mr.Coleman is the founder and director of Sammy Swings and The Harlem Strutters, and proud to be a Frankie Manning and Norma Miller Ambassador.
Continuing Contra Education
Room 3B
Time: 10:30 am to 11:30 am
What makes a working contradance sequence, and more importantly, what makes a good one? Come dissect contras good, bad, and ugly, and learn the do's and don'ts of contra choreography through discussion and dancing. We'll start from the very basics, so all are welcome, from seasoned choreographers to raw beginners. (Credentials: Maia has been choreographing dances for over a decade, and choreographing well for uh, at least half of that time.)
Maia is a contradance caller and choreographer based in New York City and has called festivals, dance camps, and weekends all over the country. She got her start while organizing the Williams College contradance, and has been behind the mic ever since. As a caller, Maia is known for her accessible and stimulating programming, her dedication to building safe and comfortable dance floors, and her terrible (charming?) puns. Her choreography is both compelling and idiomatic—the coolest dance in the world isn’t worth anything if it doesn’t flow well enough for people to get the hang of it—and her dances have been called as far afield as Alaska and England.
Time: 11:30 am to 12:30 pm
You know those figures that you’ve seen a dozen times but you just never really got it? Pass through to the Ocean Wave, Right hand High Left Hand Low, Contra Corners, perhaps even a Dolphin Hey! Now’s your chance to drill them with caller Carter North in a dedicated hour of distilled figures and transitions.
Carter North has been dancing throughout the country since 2014, and started calling to deepen his understanding of contra dance as a form. He participated in Brooklyn Contra’s Caller Development workshop series in 2023 and apprenticed through a grant from NYSCA. He brings his love of social dance to the mic, with focus on creating a joyful experience for dancers of all experience levels.
Time: 12:30 pm to 1:30 pm
Carl, who takes delight in waltzing through life, and on the dance floor, will teach/review the basics of a rotary waltz, as well as sharing some of his favorite flourishes. After reviewing the basics Carl will teach participants how to shadow your partner while they twirl, and how to include pivots in your dance routine. This session is appropriate for both beginning and experienced waltzers.
Carl will be joined by Anna Ginsburg-Sullivan as a teaching partner. Anna is currently a BH2 Scholar at the Ballet Hispánico New York.
All About The Partner
Room 4B
Time: 10:30 am to 11:30 am
Lead, follow, swap? Join this workshop to pick up tools for skillful and creative role swapping within the structure of a contra dance. We will practice flourishes for swapping both in the swing and beyond. Come away able to swap with more confidence, and ease!
Qwill has a background in many forms of social dance, and they were drawn to contra by the strong community, and the culture of dancing both roles and role swapping. They have enjoyed finding fun and interesting ways to swap roles as they have traveled the country for dance. They began calling in 2019, and have been touring nationally since 2023. Qwill brings an upbeat, playful energy to every dance, focusing on creating an inclusive and welcoming atmosphere.
Time: 11:30 am to 12:30 pm
Harsh has been partner dancing since 2012 and loves exploring the many ways people connect through movement. Over the years he’s danced contra, swing, blues, salsa, bachata, zouk, waltz, and a variety of international folk dances, including Hungarian, Israeli and Polish traditions. Every dance has taught him something new about musicality, connection, and communication.
In this workshop, I'll share the core principles of leading and following that carry across many partner dances. My goal is to help you dance comfortably, creatively, and with confidence, regardless of the music or style. Whether you're completely new to partner dancing or looking to build a stronger foundation, you'll leave with practical skills that will give you a head start and make every dance more enjoyable. I love dancing, and I'm excited to share simple, approachable techniques that help create relaxed, connected, and creative partnerships on the dance floor.
Time: 12:30 pm to 1:30 pm
Evan and Joanna are reprising their 2025 workshop on skills to redirect cues from your partner to regain or take control of your movement to shape your dance experience. This class will develop skills for non-verbal and immediate communication with partners and neighbors without breaking the dance. If you attended last year, this class will revisit some fundamental skills, and expand on new ideas.
Evan Kohne has been dancing, and eventually teaching and calling folk dances since childhood in the Pacific Northwest and beyond. In recent years, Evan has supplemented his contra dance skills by cross training in other dance styles, especially in West Coast Swing at Big Apple Ballroom and Morris Dancing with the Bouwerie Boys.
Joanna Dudley found contra dancing at Pinewoods only a few years ago. Her delight in participatory folk dance and fresh perspectives on contra dance mechanics is informed by 20 years of Scottish Country Dance and a decade of formal ballet training.