Participation Type
Music
Session Title
Session 8.14 Music Education
Presentation #1 Title
Davis and Elkins Appalachian Ensemble
Presentation #1 Abstract or Summary
“Davis and Elkins College Appalachian Ensemble; String band and Dancers" is a student ensemble that focuses on string band music and percussive dance traditions of the Appalachian region. Dance and music styles represent the melting pot of cultural traditions in Appalachia and include old-time, bluegrass, traditional and contemporary Clogging, Flatfooting, Body Percussion, French Canadian Step Dance, square dancing and Sean Nos (old-style Irish percussive dance). Currently there are five members in the string band and eight dancers who tour throughout West Virginia and the Appalachian region. The string band is under the direction of Emily Miller and includes Rebecca Wudarski, a sophomore from Davis, W.Va on guitar; Kaia Kater-Hurst, a sophomore from Toronto, Ontario, on banjo; Scotty Leach, a sophomore from Centralia, Wash., on fiddle; Lauren Price, a freshman from Sardis, Ohio, on mandolin; and Leanna Price, a freshman from Sardis, Ohio, on fiddle. The dancers are directed by Becky Hill, and include Conner Berkey, a senior from Brandy Station, Va.; Ashley Stitely, a senior from Philippi; Cassidy Dickens, a sophomore from Madera, Calif.; Millie Omps, a senior from Paw Paw, W.Va.; Matthew Olwell, a freshman from Charlottesville, VA; Price, Leach and Kater-Hurst.
At-A-Glance Bio- Presenter #1
Becky Hill is a percussive dancer and aspiring square dance caller. She is currently a Visiting Artist at Davis and Elkins College where she directs the Appalachian Ensemble Dancers, and coordinates The Mountain Dance Trail. She has performed at the Newport Folk Festival with the Seeger Clogging All-Stars and has had the opportunity to work with Footworks Percussive Dance Ensemble, Good Foot Dance Company, and Rhythm in Shoes. She has won several flatfoot dance competitions throughout Appalachia including Clifftop Appalachian Stringband Festival. She is constantly inspired by old-time “flatfoot” and “buck dancers” and hopes to carry on their steps and stories.
Presentation #2 Title
Student Ensemble Present String Band Music and Percussive Dance Styles of Appalachia
Davis and Elkins Appalachian Ensemble
Smith Music Hall 107
“Davis and Elkins College Appalachian Ensemble; String band and Dancers" is a student ensemble that focuses on string band music and percussive dance traditions of the Appalachian region. Dance and music styles represent the melting pot of cultural traditions in Appalachia and include old-time, bluegrass, traditional and contemporary Clogging, Flatfooting, Body Percussion, French Canadian Step Dance, square dancing and Sean Nos (old-style Irish percussive dance). Currently there are five members in the string band and eight dancers who tour throughout West Virginia and the Appalachian region. The string band is under the direction of Emily Miller and includes Rebecca Wudarski, a sophomore from Davis, W.Va on guitar; Kaia Kater-Hurst, a sophomore from Toronto, Ontario, on banjo; Scotty Leach, a sophomore from Centralia, Wash., on fiddle; Lauren Price, a freshman from Sardis, Ohio, on mandolin; and Leanna Price, a freshman from Sardis, Ohio, on fiddle. The dancers are directed by Becky Hill, and include Conner Berkey, a senior from Brandy Station, Va.; Ashley Stitely, a senior from Philippi; Cassidy Dickens, a sophomore from Madera, Calif.; Millie Omps, a senior from Paw Paw, W.Va.; Matthew Olwell, a freshman from Charlottesville, VA; Price, Leach and Kater-Hurst.
