Vossaspringar is a running dance from the town of Voss.  The step is simple, with an even rhythm.  The music is based on the exotic and beautiful Hardanger fiddle (see photo), and Voss is in fact the source of some of Norway's finest fiddlers.  Springleik is the springar dance from Gudbrandsdal.  It has a relatively simple pattern that is very easy to learn.  Pols frå Finnskogen is well liked by international folk dancers and has been taught at folk dance camps.  Roo Lester is renowned for her enthusiasm and ability to teach in a relaxed way, and Loretta Kelley is one of America's best and most well-known Hardanger fiddlers.  Although the dances are not very difficult, they have a beautiful Norwegian feel that should delight both new and experienced dancers.  We think you'll find this an unbeatable combination for a weekend workshop.

Schedule and Prices

A workshop package is available for $45 which includes everything in the schedule except for the lunches.  Total cost for everything including the lunches is $55.  You may use the registration form to order the lunches and/or the workshop package.

Individual sessions and dancing may be paid for at the door (see schedule for prices).  However, it is most strongly recommended that you do not skip any workshop sessions.  Except for Saturday evening, the learning sequence is progressive, and you will have great difficulty if you miss too much material.  The review session is for workshop attendees only, but interested persons are invited to come and observe.

About the Teachers and Musician

Roo Lester is one of the most popular teachers of Scandinavian dancing in this country.  Her clarity of presentation and emphasis on styling and technique have helped to make Scandinavian dances accessible and fun for many American folk dancers.  She has taught at Mendocino, Buffalo Gap, and Folklore Village, and she has given numerous workshops around the country.  She has also danced and choreographed professionally for the Aman Folk Ensemble.  She has helped organize study tours in Telemark with Karin Brennesvik, and has played a major role in popularizing Scandinavian dances in the United States.  She has spent several summers in Norway and Sweden attending dance courses and festivals, and has a masters degree in ethnic dance from UCLA.  She has won kappleik competitions, and is the partner of choice for many Swedish and Norwegian teachers who come without their own partners.  Her previous workshops in St. Louis have been very popular.  She will be co-teaching with Larry Harding.

Loretta Kelley is the best-known American player of the Hardingfele or Hardanger fiddle (pronounced "HAR-dahn-ger"), an elaborately decorated folk violin native to Norway having an ethereal sound and a 300-year-old tradition.  Since 1979 she has made over a dozen trips to Norway to study Hardanger fiddle playing with the masters.  Loretta has taught and performed extensively throughout the United States, including appearances on Prairie Home Companion and All Things Considered.  She teaches at Nordic Fiddles and Feet (formerly Scandinavian Week at Buffalo Gap), at the Hardanger Fiddle Association of America's yearly workshops, Scandia Camp Mendocino, and numerous other camps and workshops throughout the country.  She has written several articles about the Hardanger fiddle in magazines such as Strings and The Strad, contributed a chapter to a book published in Norway, and authored a booklet of transcriptions of Hardanger fiddle tunes.  She has served as president and board member of the Hardanger Fiddle Association of America.  She has recorded two compact discs, and in 1994 her playing was featured in an hour-long program on Norwegian radio.

For more information on the Hardanger fiddle and sound samples, see the Hardanger Fiddle Association of America's web site at www.hfaa.org.  To hear examples of the type of dance music that will be featured at this workshop, tune in to Music from the Hills on Saturdays from 4 to 6 p.m. on radio station KDHX, 88.1 FM in St. Louis, co-hosted by IFDA members John Uhlemann and Gitry Heydebrand.  You can also listen online -- see KDHX's web site at www.kdhx.org.

Locations

University United Methodist Church (Friday and Saturday):  6901 Washington Ave., University City, Missouri; on the northwest corner of Washington and Trinity south of the Lion Gates on Delmar -- see Google Map (most streets in the area other than the main streets are not through).  Parking is available in the church lot and on Trinity, but please do not park on the residential part of Washington.  Walk by the playground in front of the church, and enter by the door at the inner corner of the L-shaped building.

The Focal Point (Sunday):  2720 Sutton Blvd., Maplewood, Missouri; 1 1/2 blocks south of Manchester -- see Google Map.  Watch for one-way streets in the area.  Park on street.  Directions will also be available at the Saturday sessions.

Other Information

Shoes:  Hard-soled shoes (leather or synthetic) are recommended, as rubber tends to stick to the floor.

Food:  Lunches will feature Scandinavian soup and sandwiches.  Dinner will be a traditional Scandinavian meal.  Contributions of fruits and sweets for snacks would be appreciated.

Crash Space is available.  Please contact Diana Blanchard at 314-726-5737 or diana.blanchard@att.net.

For Other Information:  Please contact Rex or Nancy Couture at 314-275-8228 or , or Bill or Diana Blanchard at 314-726-5737 or diana.blanchard@att.net.