May Heydays at Evesham:
2027 Performers

Annabel & Nigel Sharp

Brian Stanton   

Brian started dancing and calling at barn dances and ceilidhs in his teens and came to folk dancing via ballroom dancing.  He has called at various national venues including Halsway Manor and Eastbourne and Chippenham Festivals.  He is also chairman of the excellent Mercian Folk Callers' Forum.

He enjoys Playford, modern English and American styles of dance and, as a caller, likes to share his enthusiasm with fellow dancers and to help them to get the most from a dance by encouraging them to think of the two big Ts — Timing and Technique.

Burt Hunter   

Burt Hunter has been an avid folk dancer since joining Exeter University Folk Dance Society.  He later started the Moorcock Ceilidh Band and has also called for other local bands including Whapweasel, a Hexham Morris spin-off.  He has been dancing with the latter for over 30 years, principally doing Cotswold with a bit of Welsh Border and a bit of rapper and longsword.  He is a member of Durham English Folk Dance Group and Colin Wallace's Hexham Folk Dance Group.  He will lead a maypole dancing event at May Heydays this year.

His interest in Kentucky Running Set began over 25 years ago at Whitby Festival where there are daily workshops.  Frustrated at having to wait another 51 weeks for another delve into this fascinating genre he invited a group of friends including Dave Turner, who had been running some of the workshops at Whitby, to meet informally for supper and a session of running set.  After an invitation to dance at Washington Old Hall for American Independence Day the group adopted a kit and a name: Rights and Lefts.  He has run running set workshops at IVFDF, ICBINI and Chippenham.

Carol & Kevin Monaghan   

As well as teaching at various festivals in the UK, Carol and Kevin have taught Irish sets across the world, from Canada and USA , to Belgium, Germany, Austria, Czech Republic, Switzerland and of course Ireland, as well as in Australia.

They aim to concentrate on the specific regional styles and nuances of the sets, with emphasis on steps, and being in the right place at the right time.  The sets always come with a little history attached, so there will be a few stories and insights along the way too.

Set dance is now recognised as being a part of Ireland's “intangible cultural heritage”, yet it is still officially an illegal activity.  Dancing as an act rebellion.  Come along to find out more.

Website: setsmad.com

Colin Hume   

Colin has been a caller for many years and has called at all the major dance festivals in England as well as dance weeks in the USA and the Netherlands and weekends in other countries.  He teaches Playford-style, Traditional English, American Squares and Contras, and sometimes other dance forms such as Scottish, Quadrilles and Country Dance Minuet.  He believes that if you dance better you will enjoy it more, and he runs workshops for callers and dancers in the hope of confirming this.

Website: colinhume.com

Lynne Render   

Lynne Render is a dancer and caller from Loughborough in Leicestershire.  She is a regular caller at local clubs and also calls for dances, ceilidhs and workshops at clubs and festivals throughout the country.

Lynne calls for dancers of all abilities and has worked with many well-known bands.  She has called at Sidmouth, Chippenham, Eastbourne, Whitby, Lichfield and Bromyard festivals, at Casterton.  Southam and other dance weekends and is a regular caller for The London Barndance Company at Cecil Sharp House and the Alcester contra series.  She also used to call at the Peeping Tom ceilidhs.

Lynne likes to call a mixture of American and English dances and is always on the lookout for interesting nicely-flowing dances to add to her repertoire.  She firmly believes that a clear explanation will enable the less-experienced dancer to enjoy a good dance.  During the Covid pandemic she began writing dances suitable for people dancing in their own homes as part of online (Zoom) events.  Although this will never be a substitute for real dancing, the dances she wrote were well received and hopefully gave people enjoyment at the time!

Lynne enjoys a wide range of dancing herself through social dance and ceilidhs and still loves to watch Appalachian clogging although no longer joining in!

Mark Elvins   

Mark Elvins has been dancing and calling since he was a teenager.  Like most of the callers at the festival Mark calls across the board — Contra, Squares, Playford style and traditional English dances.  Although his main love is the contras and squares, he relishes the contrasts in style of a totally mixed evening.  He also has written many of his own dances some of which are published in the “Both Feet” books.  Over the years he has called at most of the major folk dance festivals, including May Heydays in 2025.

Mark believes that dancing should be fun and as lively as the music to which we dance.

Mike Courthold   

Mike has been folk-dancing since 1970 and calling since 1981 for barn-dances, ceilidhs and dances for experts, including dance workshops, weekend residential events, and folk festivals throughout England.  Mike is proud to have been Dance Director from 2004 to 2020 for the internationally-famous Chippenham Folk Festival, held over the late May Bank Holiday weekend.

Website: courthold-family.com/mike-courthold

Nicola Scott   

Nicola first started dancing 'The Gay Gordons' at the age of six at home in the kitchen, and has been hooked ever since!  She continued dancing Scottish at university and now teaches weekly Scottish Country Dancing classes in Birmingham, taking particular delight in seeing new dancers become confident and take joy in their dancing.

Nicola has also made forays into dance devising, with her dances 'A Trip to Applecross' and 'City Lights' being published by the RSCDS, and a ceilidh dance entitled 'The Haka' becoming a firm favourite, especially at rugby clubs!

As well as Scottish, Nicola calls regularly for American contra and ceilidh dances in the West Midlands area, and enjoys introducing Scottish dances to other local folk dance clubs.

Website: nicolascott.dance
Facebook: facebook.com/nicolascottceilidh

Nigel Close   

Nigel Close has danced for most of his adult life and was dance director of the display team Woodfidley for many years.  He calls for Playford balls, barn dances and club nights far and wide; has taught a wide range of workshops in Hampshire and at Eastbourne, Chippenham and Sidmouth festivals; and leads the Winchester club 'as many as will'.

He believes that dancing is a joy and that part of this enjoyment is in listening and responding to the music — making the music visible in dance.

In his spare time he is the token man in a circle dance group.

Orly Krasner   

Orly Krasner teaches regularly at Country Dance New York and Country Dancers of Westchester.  She discovered English Country dancing while writing her doctoral dissertation on a totally unrelated musical topic.  Intrigued by the idea of music made visible, she soon began to choreograph, and then apprenticed as a dance teacher under Fried de Metz Herman, Paul Ross, Beverly Francis and Gene Murrow.  Orly has called at Chippenham and Lichfield Folk Festival as well as for dances, festivals and special events throughout the USA and Canada.  Orly's book of dances,“Celebrations” and the accompanying CD by Reunion are available from Folk Sales.  In “real” life, Orly holds a PhD in Musicology, and when she isn't dancing she teaches music history and theory at the City College of New York.

Trevor Monson   

Trevor started calling in the late 80's and has now called/taught at many of the major dance and folk festivals around the UK, as well as some in America and Canada, and also calls at many club nights.  He has a broad repertoire ranging from Playford through to modern Playford-style dances (having written some himself) and can also include American squares and contra dances in his programmes.

Corporate Fiddle   

Corporate Fiddle combines two fiddles — Christina Brock and Mollie Koenigsberger — and Vic Smith on accordion/piano.  They made their debut appearance at London Barn Dance in 2011, and are all active in numerous other bands.

Double Dichotomy   

Double Dichotomy comprises Mollie Koenigsberger and Vic Smith.  Coming from different generations, and with differing musical influences and educational experiences, they combine to create a vibrant dance experience.

Knotted Chord   

One of the UK's top folk dance bands, Knotted Chord is a regular visitor to folk dance clubs and folk festivals around the country and is a popular choice for barn dances and ceilidhs at private parties including weddings, birthdays, anniversaries, fundraisers, and community events.

Band members live in Harrogate and Market Deeping and we aim to meet up somewhere in the middle.

Website: knottedchord.org.uk

Keeping Thyme   

Julia Day, Shane Day and Tina Brown were part of the legendary “Wild Thyme”, and have been playing as “Keeping Thyme” since 2000.  They provide good, danceable music with energy or a gentle touch as required, in many styles, and will still be smiling at the end of the festival.

Matt Norman   

Matt Norman works with all aspects of traditional English music as a performer and teacher.  As a workshop leader he has a relaxed and friendly style which puts participants at their ease but also gets high quality results.

Matt Currently runs two folk choirs which sing his arrangements of English folk songs and carols.  Even though they have no auditions both choirs sing to a high standard and have performed in prestigious venues and Festivals.  He has produced two books of his choir arrangements.  He regularly runs singing workshops.

Matt is one of a handful of people keeping the Dartmoor stepdance tradition alive.  This unique tradition is from the North East corner of Dartmoor in Devon, it is a percussive style and characterised by the 15 inch board on which it's performed.  He has run many workshops and has been stepdance champion three times.

Matt performs in three bands.  Gadarene combines 17th and 18th Century English tunes with modern dance beats.  The Bristol Ceilidh Quartet that plays for social dances.  Crowdy-Kit a contemporary ceilidh band trio.  All bands have performed at folk festivals across the country as well as many other performances.  Matt is also a solo performer playing mandolin, fiddle and piano, for dance and also on stage.

Oakstone Trio   

Website: oakstonetrio.co.uk

Stomping Ground   

Stomping Ground is an exciting new Sheffield-based contra dance band comprising three experienced dance musicians: Ian Roberts on melodeons and foot percussion, Charley Roberts on piano (both of long-established contra dance band Vertical Expression) and ceilidh veteran Matt Quinn on tenor banjo. Their mission is simple — deliver joyful, solid dance tunes guaranteed to put a smile on your face and a beat in your feet! The band's name evokes that satisfying sound of the dancers' feet decisively hitting the floor in sync — a sure sign that the trio of dancers, musicians and caller is working together as one.

Bob Robinson   

Bob has been attending international dance seminars in Bulgaria, Macedonia, Armenia, Albania, Romania and Greece for over 30 years.  He has led dance seminars in USA, Canada, Australia, and Poland.  He teaches at Barlow International Folk Dance Group in Manchester, and attends a Bulgarian dance group also in Manchester.

Emilia Stoicescu   

Emilia Stoicescu is a Romanian folk dance teacher, choreographer and cultural heritage advocate based in County Durham, with over 24 years of experience in dance education.  She is the Founder and Artistic Director of TEZAUR Ensemble, where she teaches and choreographs Romanian traditional dance for children and adults.

Emilia's work is rooted in the rich diversity of Romanian folklore.  Her teaching repertoire encompasses traditional dances from all regions of Romania, reflecting the distinctive character, movement and traditions of each area.  Through TEZAUR Ensemble, she brings Romanian folk dance to festivals, cultural events and community celebrations across the UK, sharing Romania's cultural heritage with new generations and wider audiences.

At May Heydays, Emilia will teach dances from four regions of Romania — Moldavia, Oltenia, Muntenia and Transylvania — including intricate traditional dances that showcase the richness and variety of Romanian dance.  The programme will also feature “Surviving a Wedding in Romania”, an exploration of the dances and traditions found on the Romanian wedding dance floor.

Faren   

Faren are Chris Edmunds, Dave Eggs and Maya Buckley.  They enjoy playing the eclectic mix of music offered by the International dance scene, and in addition to accordion, clarinet and percussion like to spice up their performances with other instruments for added flavour.  You may find yourself dancing to the sound of a Bulgarian shepherd's flute (kaval) or be transported eastwards by the distinctive sound of the oud or the powerful rhythms of the davul.  Above all, Faren love the interaction between musicians and dancers: a two-way exchange of energies that adds an extra dimension.

Fiona Frank   

Fiona Frank has been teaching Klezmer dance for the last 13 years (most recently in Recife Brazil and in Shipley Yorkshire!).  She has learned from the masters at the Yiddish Summer Weimar, Klezfest and Kleznorth festivals, the last of which she helped organise for ten years.  She started her folk life as a morris dancer and morris musician, and plays melodeon and concertina.  She lives in a cohousing project in Lancaster (when she's not learning new forms of dance in north eastern Brazil!).

Justine Marsh   

Justine has been dancing and teaching most of her life, and teaches at Barlow International Folk Dance Group in Manchester .  Her love of Greek Dancing developed while living, working and dancing on the island of Symi in the Dodecanese, and dancing with the local Folk Dance Group on the island.

Karin Bellaart   

Karin Bellaart has been a teacher of ballet and international folklore since 1974, teaching amateurs and professionals in many ways.  She has taught in England many times — International Folk Camp 1978, Great Alne Weekends, Eastbourne Festival 1986 and 1987, SIFD Summer School 1989 and 2015, May Heydays several times, and has performed with Hupsakee and Paloina during festivals at Chippenham, Newcastle and Sidmouth.

Ravi Sawney   

Ravi is an experienced dance teacher who has studied extensively in France under a selection of renowned dancers and musicians.  He brings enthusiasm, a light touch, and an engaging style — whether teaching advanced classes, beginners, or reluctant musicians to have a go and feel comfortable!  He concentrates on inclusion, enablement, and helping discover the joy of dance.  Every dance has its moment of pure happiness, and you are here to experience some of that.

Ravi has taught at Cecil Sharp House, Sidmouth Folk Festival and a lot of the French and Breton dance clubs.  His classes have been variously described as “The best I've ever seen”, “Mesmeric” and “A joy”.

Shivelight   

Shivelight is a balfolk duo from Oxfordshire: Harriet Power on melodeon and Sam Doolin on fiddle.  They are classical-turned-folk musicians who met on the folk scene in Oxford around 10 years ago, and have since played for bal series and festivals across England and Wales.  They play a variety of traditional, contemporary and self-penned tunes, mixing popular balfolk dances with regional French dances.  From soulful mazurkas to groovy schottisches and lively jigs, their music will get you up on your feet and dancing into the night.

Ygra   

Ygra: Balkan folk dance experience

Ygra are a London-based band bringing Balkan folk music and dance together through live performances, friendly workshops and “Balkan ceilidhs”.  Their events are a chance to learn dances, share tunes and meet people. They are residents at Cecil Sharp House as part of Balkanplus, and have performed at Jamboree, Rich Mix, Wilderness and IVFDF.  Their work is shaped by ongoing study with traditional musicians and teachers from across the Balkans.

Whether you know the dances already or are trying them for the first time, Ygra welcome everyone to join in.

The Sound Collective