Callers and Bands

Bands

See Callers list below.

Arugula

Arugula band has Fred on bass, Mike on fiddle, Silvia on flute and Barb on piano.
Plays for both contra and English dances

Mike Hoeschele (fiddle & mandolin)
Silvia Sörensen (flute)
Barb Seppeler (piano)
Fred Filbrich (bass)

Dependably enjoyable Rochester regulars, Arugula plays for both Contra and English Country dances.

Contact Info:
  • Email:

Performs for: Contra, English Country

Bellamira

Eileen Nicholson (violin)
Catherine Sloboda (violin)
Jane Knoeck (piano)

Eileen Nicholson, Catherine Sloboda, and Jane Knoeck formed this trio of expert Western NY dance musicians in 2023 to play for English Country dances and soon after for contras as well. Each has exceptional musical skills coupled with years of experience playing for dancers.

Contact Info:
  • Email:

Performs for: Contra, English Country

Confluence

A mother-daughter flute & piano duo from Western New York State

Nadine Dyskant-Miller (flute)
Barbara Dyskant (piano)

Confluence is a mother-daughter duo from Western New York State. Nadine Dyskant-Miller contributes the flute and foot percussion, Barbara Dyskant contributes the piano, and we both contribute our joy of playing traditional music from Québec, New England, Ireland, and Scotland, original tunes, and more, for contra dances, English country dances, and concerts.

Contact Info:
  • Phone: (716) 969-2286
  • Email:
  • Performer Web Site

Performs for: Contra, English Country, Modern Contra

Crooked Sixpence

Kathy Selby (fiddle), Gordon Bonnet (flute), John Wobus (piano)

Kathy Selby - Fiddle
Gordon Bonnet - Flute
John Wobus - Piano

This Ithaca-based high-octane trio specializes in music for contradance and English dance. We will get you out of your seat and up on your feet!

Contact Info:
  • Email:

Performs for: Contra, English Country

Esteemed Clams

Appalachian old-time music with a contra dance drive

Kathy Vandemortel – fiddle
Stephen Bland – guitar
Fred Filbrich – bass, banjo-uke

The Esteemed Clams originally came together in 1994 and have been playing for dances ever since.  Their band roots are in Appalachian old-time music with a contra dance drive that will make you want to keep your feet a-movin’ on that dance floor!

Contact Info:
  • Phone: 585-482-3924
  • Email:

Performs for: Contra, Old-time

Geneseo String Band

Jim Kimball

Led by Jim Kimball, the Geneseo String Band, made up of SUNY Geneseo students, alumni and local residents, has been in existence since 1976 and has played concerts, receptions and dances in a wide variety of venues. The band was organized as an ensemble within the SUNY Geneseo College music department to perform a variety of old-time American popular and folk music, especially that characteristic of central and western New York and in the Irish-American community. The band ranges in size from about 4 to 20, has used a wide range of traditional instruments and performed to date more than a thousand tunes and songs.

Contact Info:
  • Email:
  • Facebook Page

Performs for: Americana, Contra

Glenrose

Jim Sloboda - Accordion
Nancy Sloboda - Violin
Catherine Sloboda McCallen - Violin
Matthew Sloboda - Violin, Mandolin, Guitar

Glenrose is primarily a traditional instrument music ensemble. Glenrose was formed as a Contra Dance band in 1991. Most of us still live in North Rose, NY. The band plays many types of traditional folk dance and listening music, as well as more classically oriented material for weddings, dances and other celebrations.

Contact Info:

Performs for: Contra, Contra Dance/Folk

Lake Effect

Lake Effect duo are Matt Sloboda on fiddle and Chuck Abell on guitar.

Matt Sloboda (fiddle)
Chuck Abell (guitar)

For nearly five years, Lake Effect has been honing its sound while playing for dances and concerts both locally and in New England and along the Eastern Seaboard. Founded initially by Matt Sloboda and Chuck Abell, the band has grown to include Eastman Jazz graduates Grace Frarey and frequent collaborator Jack Courtright. With a shared vision that encompasses the best in folk, Celtic, swing, and World Music, the band has melded seamlessly into a unique and soulful ensemble which values both precision and musical variety.

Contact Info:
  • Email:
  • Performer Web Site
  • Facebook Page

Performs for: Americana, Contra

New Brew

World Contra music craft brewed for balance and joy

Eileen Nicholson Kalfass - fiddle
Jane Knoeck - piano, accordion
Tom Santarsiero - guitar, mandolin, feet

One of Western NY’s top traditional dance bands, these accomplished musicians combine broad celtic influences to brew up world class world music in the bal folk, New England Contra, Quebecois traditions.

Performs for: Contra, French

PossumTone String Band

PossumTone Stringband on stage

Tom Owens (fiddle)
Dan Palmer (guitar)
Michelle Burack (banjo)
Jordan Kleiman (bass)

The PossumTone String Band, based in Rochester, NY, plays high energy music anchored in the Southern tradition. While most their tunes come from the Appalachian region of the United States, some are from the Midwest and beyond. The band plays music that’s centuries old as well as new tunes created in the past few years. They enjoy playing for dances, weddings, farmers’ markets, and other happy events.

Contact Info:
  • Phone: 585-880-3944
  • Email:
  • Facebook Page

Performs for: Americana, Bluegrass, Contra

Serendipity

A flute and piano duo who plays for both English and Contra dance

Barb Seppeler, Piano
Laurie Giroux-Gillman, Flute

Pianist, music teacher and choral director, Barb Seppeler, fell hard for the beauty of the English Country Dancer repertoire, and she has made it her own with deep understanding and delicacy. Laurie Giroux – Gillman, a fellow music teacher and extraordinary flute player, is the other half of this delightful ensemble. Barb and Laurie have played regularly in Rochester and elsewhere since 2012 and really have really got that teamwork thing worked out.

Performs for: Contra, English Country

Shandy

Eileen Kalfass, Jane Knoeck and Rebecca MacCallum are the members of Shandy.
A trio of musicans who play for both contra and English Country dancing

Eileen Kalfass (violin)
Rebecca McCallum (violin)
Jane Knoeck (piano & accordion)

The musicians in Shandy have played together in various combinations for years and are now performing as a trio, playing for both English country and contra dancing.  Past English events include the 2017 Rochester Jane Austen Ball and a Colin Hume ECD weekend in Toronto in 2019. Rebecca contributed her classically trained violin style to Rochester contra and English dances for many years, until she moved out of the area, and Eileen and Jane, as Sister Haggis, play often at the Rochester English dances.

Eileen has a new (award winning) CD, available on her website.  Jane is the doyenne of Rochester dance piano for both English country and contra. Both Jane and Rebecca have played in the nationally known touring band, The Groovemongers, as well as River Bend, New Brew, and others.

Contact Info:
  • Email:

Performs for: Contra, English Country

The Groovemongers

World Beat Contra Music

Jane Knoeck, keyboards
Rebecca McCallum, fiddle
Tom Santarsiero, guitar, mandolin, banjo
Mark "Pokey" Hellenberg, percussion

For nearly 20 years, the Groovemongers have been thrilling contra dancers with a world beat approach to dance music. Countless tours, festival weekends and dance camps in 32 US states, Canada, the UK and the Caribbean have forged an ensemble that is equally at home with crafted musical arrangements as with jam band improv.

Pioneers of groove contra, the band works with callers to create a great dance experience, expertly matching tunes to dances and drawing from a breathtaking variety of styles and rhythms. From Celtic to Calypso, Southern to Salsa, Old England to New England, Motown to Cape Town, plus a liberal dose of American Rock ‘n’ Roll, the Groovemongers’ memorable tunes and driving rhythms fuse into a spicy mix that is irresistibly danceable.

Contact Info:
  • Phone: (585) 426-1332
  • Email:
  • Performer Web Site

Performs for: Contra, Contra Dance/Folk, Modern Contra

Tim Ball

Tim Ball at Buttermilk Falls

Tim Ball (fiddle)

Tim Ball has been on the contra music scene for over 15 years. As a performer, he tours throughout the northeast with his Celtic trio Arise & Go, contra dance bands Center Street and Tempest, and has played with Renaissance festival bands Empty Hats and Cantiga. Tim leads the Ithaca Irish Session. He has performed and taught at Ashokan and Pinewoods, teaches regularly at the Ithaca Suzuki Institute and the Kanack School of Music fiddle camp, and maintains a private fiddle/violin studio in Ithaca, New York.

Contact Info:
  • Email:

Performs for: Contra

 

Callers

Bob Fabinski

Clear and affable, Bob never forgets the beginner’s experience in contra, so he always gives you what you need to get dancing and to have fun right away.

Contact Info:
  • Phone: (585) 244-7141
  • Email:

Performs for: Caller, Contra

Bob Nicholson

Bob is a veteran caller from Syracuse. He’s totally focussed on fun, accessible dances. His dance repertoire is deep and his memory is amazing. A versatile caller, Bob handles both Contra and English Country dances with ease, and events from advanced to weddings to introductory workshops.

Contact Info:
  • Phone: (315) 479-5844
  • Email:

Performs for: Caller, Contra, English Country

Chuck Abell

In his caller persona, Chuck Abell brings us challenging dances that will exercise your mind and tickle your fancy with their intricate beauty. Chuck organizes the monthly caller meetings in Rochester to workshop new dances. He debuted his “DJ Abell” persona at our 2017 Thanksgiving Festival, with a Taste of Techno Contra session.

Contact Info:

Performs for: Caller, Contra

Colleen Liggett

Colleen Liggett Calls

A longtime member of our dance community, Colleen initiated live music at our dances, arranging music and organizing the first bands when the English dance series began in  the 1980s. Colleen currently books our performers and has more recently turned her considerable enthusiasm towards calling. In addition to calling for us, she and her husband, John, host dances on their back porch.

Contact Info:
  • Email:

Performs for: Caller, Contra, English Country

Dan Seppeler

Dan Seppeler teaching with both hands.

A Rochester caller and choreographer of English dances with a talent for finding new and delightful dances and the confidence to try difficult material.

Contact Info:
  • Email:
  • Performer Web Site

Performs for: Caller, Contra, English Country

David Smukler

I lead evenings of contras and squares, English country dances, family dances, school programs, and special events such as weddings, festivals, etc. I have also presented workshops on numerous dance related topics. My taste in dances is eclectic, and I tend to present a wide variety of dances when I call. My repertoire includes plenty of New England contras, as well as an assortment of squares, singing calls, mixers, old chestnuts and freshly minted dances. I have a special fondness for English country dances, and my English programs also blend old favorites with new gems.

Contact Info:
  • Phone: 315-474-0710
  • Email:
  • Performer Web Site

Performs for: Caller, Contra, English Country, Trad Squares

Evan De Smitt

Evan has recently joined the ranks of callers here in Rochester. A seasoned marching band musician (saxophone), Evan has great timing, a lovely, clear, resonant voice, and he is very attentive to the dancers.

Contact Info:
  • Email:
  • Facebook Page

Performs for: Caller, Contra

Katy Heine

Ithaca-based caller Katy Heine has been leading contras and community dances in the Finger Lakes region and beyond for more than 30 years. She’s known for her clear teaching style and for her large repertoire of fun and flowing dances. Whether the hall’s full of experienced dancers or first-timers, they’re sure to have a great time at one of Katy’s dances!

Contact Info:
  • Phone: (607) 273-0249
  • Email:

Performs for: Caller, Contra, English Country

Margaret Mathews

Margaret Mathews at the microphone

With more than 35 years experience as dancer, musician and caller, Margaret’s easy-going, engaging style gets everyone out on the dance floor. Her ability to smoothly adjust the dances to the experience level of the dance community make it a fun and accessible evening for everyone. In addition to contra dances, she calls for traditional Old Time square dances, Civil War reenactments, hoedowns, weddings and other joy filled occasions. Her dance calling has taken her up and down the East coast, from the Carolinas to Vermont, as well as the Northwest and Canada. When not calling, Margaret plays bass in Wild Root String Band, a Southern Old Time band.

Contact Info:
  • Phone: (585) 749-9542
  • Email:

Performs for: Caller, Contra, Old-time, Trad Squares

Mary Collins

Mary Collins loves to dance, loves to call, and is a dedicated organizer of contra dances in Buffalo.  We’re always happy to have her call (and dance) in Rochester.

Contact Info:
  • Phone: (716) 997-9423
  • Email:

Performs for: Caller, Contra

Maxine McDonald

Young Maxine McDonald calling has a locked-in sense of timing that is never off, and never obtrusive. Quiet and unassuming, she puts the music first for a sweet evening. Her enthusiasm for the dance is contagious, and stems from a love of historical re-enactment at the Genesee Country Village and Museum–and a delight in twirling on the dance floor!

Performs for: Caller, Contra

Nancy Spero

Ithaca caller Nancy Spero is especially welcome in Rochester.  In addition to being a fine contra dance caller, Nancy is particularly interested in the music and moves of traditional, old-time square dancing and she calls for square dances held several times a year in the greater Ithaca area.  On our stage, she is always smiling and moving to the music of the band.

Contact Info:
  • Phone: (607) 273-6603
  • Email:

Performs for: Caller, Contra, Squares

Pamela Goddard

Pamela Goddard

Ithaca caller and singer Pamela Goddard has an engaging, confident and witty style. Her clear and patient teaching make her popular with our dancers.

Contact Info:
  • Phone: (607) 273-8678
  • Email:
  • Performer Web Site

Performs for: Caller, Contra, English Country

Sarah VanNorstrand

Sarah VanNorstrand has been calling, organizing and teaching contra, square, and family/community dances for seven years, and more recently has been expanding into calling English dances. She has a clear and engaging teaching style and a great repertoire of dances to share. Instantly hooked from her first contra dance as a teen, Sarah’s love of dance and her joy in sharing it with all who will is evident and infectious. Above all, her goal as a caller is to make sure the dancers are having as much fun as she is!

Contact Info:
  • Phone: (315) 663-6432
  • Email:
  • Performer Web Site
  • Facebook Page

Performs for: Caller, Contra, English Country