Catapult! Dana Parkinson (2014)

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After stomping and swinging at a few dance weekends I starting thinking, "What can I do to bring this experience back to my home community?" It was not long until I started looking for a way to learn more about contra calling. I attended the Caller’s Workshop led by Cis Hinkle at Augusta in Elkins, WV in the summer of 2010. Nils Fredland was also on staff that week and played a large role in my calling education. I started calling slots at our local dances, attending caller’s workshops at dance weekends, and soon was calling entire evenings. In 2012 I called my very first dance weekend! The blur of wonderful local dances, dance weekends, and mini-tours that followed have made me feel like I have found an amazing way to enhance the dance community.

I want to be a part of dance communities because they accept everyone, providing a creative outlet for all participants through live music and human connection. I am so thankful for the opportunity to help bring traditional music and dance into the lives of those around me. I want to continue on the tradition of contra dancing for years to come.

C’mon out and hear me call! I promise you will be laughing, swinging, and groovin’ in no time!

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