






After seeing several other young callers in action I was inspired to find
a way to participate in and contribute to the tradition and community I
had so fallen in love with. I started asking other callers how they got started.
One person let me call a guest slot at a dance, then another. Then someone
told me about Lisa Greenleaf's contra dance caller class at Pinewoods American
Week. I attended that summer. About a year later with a few more guest calling
slots and a few small community dances under my belt I decided I needed some
peer support to help me improve my calling. I started the Mad Robin Callers
Collective in Burlington, VT in the fall of 2009.
As a group we gathered to
practice and talk about calling and worked to get gigs as a group. Together
we learned how to handle a whole evening and our gigs were opportunities for
each of us to call and get feedback. With the support of this group I
eventually started to get more solo gigs but I continue to call with the
Mad Robins as there is always more to learn, together!
Others describe me as friendly, energetic, patient, encouraging, passionate,
excited, inclusive, accessible and FUN!