Talent

Bands

The Groovemongers Trio (New York and Rhode Island)

C. W. Abbott
C.W. is the band's improvising mandolinist extraordinaire. He comes from a more southern musical tradition, but has embraced new styles such as French Canadian reels and Irish jigs with abandon. In addition to mandolin, he's played guitar, bass, fiddle, pedal steel, and jug. These days he's mostly sticking to contra dance music with mandolin and guitar.
Jane Knoeck
Jane's musical beginnings were in classical piano and voice studies. She entered the instrumental folk music world upon discovering the hammered dulcimer. Contra dance bands followed and she's been playing for dances ever since on piano and accordion, weaving a variety of musical influences into her style. She also enjoys playing for both English and Scottish country dance.
Rebecca McCallum
Rebecca grew up playing classical violin, but began to transform from a "violinist" to a "fiddler" shortly after college. In the midst of the driving rhythm and danceability of her fiddling, you can still hear signs of that classical precision and tone. She favors northern styles of music in her contra fiddling, but also indulges her Mediterranean roots by playing in a Greek band as well.

You can find complete information about Groovemongers CDs on their web site. It also has a few snippets of their music in MP3 files...
From their CD "Smooth Sailing" (2003):

From their CD "Fresh Wares" (2000):

Southwest Passage (Seattle, WA and San Francisco, CA)

"One of the hottest groups in the Pacific Northwest. Their music is smooth and perfect. The fiddlers’ groove keeps the dancers' feet moving, the piano keeps the excitement building, propelling the dancers into the Zone. " Eric Anderson — piano, Sande Gillette — fiddle, Alan Roberts — fiddle, Betsy Cooper — flute.

The members of Southwest Passage deveote their efforts to producing the best live experiences possible, so have no recordings as a group.

Callers

Lisa Greenleaf (Boston, MA)
Lisa is a contra dance caller from the Boston area known for her high-energy calling and articulate teaching. Lisa has been treating dancers across the country to her concise yet witty calling for many years. Her rich repertoire, succinct teaching, and commitment to community- building make her a dance favorite.
Erik Weberg (Portland, OR)
Erik Weberg: Eric has become a popular caller in the Northwest, as well as making forays into the Midwest, Alaska, California and in between. He calls dances that feel good and are fun. Eric’s teaching style is clear and efficient, with a good sense for the dancers and the community spirit.

Sound

Mark Shurmann (Corvallis, OR)
Mark plays music in (and runs sound for) several bands, and knows how much difference good sound can make. We have yet to convert him to dancing, though he certainly gets up and taps his feet to our bands!
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