“Steppin’ up to the mic”
Caller Bios
Meet our talented callers!
February 8, 2025
Jean Gibson-Gorrindo
Los Osos, CA
Jean began calling around 1995 to fill a need for a local caller for the San Luis Obispo dance, at the encouragement of Amber Mueller. Not long after, at the encouragement of Michael Gutin, she started to expand her calling horizons, and launched a career that has taken her to many communities in California, Oregon, and Washington, as well as several states in New England and the southeastern US, plus Alaska, Hawaii, and even Canada! She is known for calling dances with exceptional and enjoyable choreography, and focuses on creating and maintaining the strong connection between dancers and musicians that contra dancing can offer.
Topics of her workshop will include:
INTRODUCTION
- What do people value in a caller?
- Creating a safe, inclusive, and inviting space
- The introductory workshop
CALLING PRACTICE
April 12, 2025
Jacqui Grennan
San Pedro, CA
Jacqui Grennan is well-regarded in the folk dance community, primarily as a dance caller, choreographer, and event organizer for contra, square and English Country dances. Based in Los Angeles, she began her dance journey in 2009 and has since become known for her clear teaching style and engaging stage presence. Jacqui’s approach to calling focuses on creating a welcoming environment for dancers of all levels, carefully crafting dance sessions that are enjoyable for both beginners and experienced participants. Her enthusiasm for fostering community through dance has made her a prominent figure at folk dance gatherings nationwide.
In addition to calling at dance weekends, Jacqui has also choreographed several dances and has taught at numerous events across the United States, including CDSS Dance, Music, and Song Camp week in Michigan, Kentucky Dance Institute week, and Contra College in Palo Alto, CA.
For more on her work and upcoming events, you can visit her at
Jacqui Grennan, Dance Caller
http://www.jacquigrennan.com/about).
Topics of her workshop will include:
BUILDING YOUR DANCE REPERTOIRE
- Use of computer software vs dance cards
- Building your database
SELECTING AND TEACHING DANCES
- Know your audience
- Practicing the walk-thru is more important than practicing calling the dance
CALLING PRACTICE
June 14, 2025
Jeff Spero
Los Angeles, CA
Topics of his workshop will include:
UNDERSTANDING THE MUSIC AND TIMING YOUR CALLS
- Structure of the tune for contra dance
- Timing your voice with the music
WORKING WITH THE BAND
- Develop knowledge of different styles used for contra (ie old time, Northern,, Appalachian, Irish, Scottish, Quebecois, etc)
- Develop vocabulary to describe the “feel” of the dance
- Setting tempo
- Counting the band out and other signals
GENDERED VERSES NON-GENDERED CALLING
- Positional calling
- Role calling
CALLING PRACTICE
August 9, 2025
Kelsey Hartman
Hayward, CA
Kelsey is a contra and family dance caller, who has been delighting dancers in the Bay Area of California for over twelve years. Kelsey strives to connect the dancers with the band’s magic and music, with the goal of creating a conduit for joy!
Topics of her workshop will include:
THINKING ABOUT YOUR PROGRAM
- Considerations to be made regarding use of different figures
- Understanding the “feel” of each dance and how to bring variety
THE WALK-THRU
- Description using as few words as possible = efficiency
- Knowing when to take time explaining a figure or pattern of figures
- Use of demonstrations
DEALING WITH MISTAKES AND TRAIN WRECKS
- Knowing the difference between “salvageable” and “bail out”
- How to recover and re-program on the “fly” to accommodate the dancers.
CALLING PRACTICE
November 8, 2025
Jean Gibson-Gorrindo
Los Osos, CA
(See bio above)
Topics of her workshop will include:
BOOKING DANCES AND TAKING YOUR CALLING TO THE NEXT LEVEL (ie, traveling, weekends)
OPEN MIC NIGHT!
This workshop will primarily focus on preparing the workshop attendees for the open mic dance that evening, during which each new caller will have the opportunity to call at least two dances.
December 12-13, 2025 – Extended workshop format
Lisa Greenleaf
Boston MA
Lisa Greenleaf calls regularly in the Boston and New England areas and has been a staff member at dance camps and festivals throughout the country and Europe. Her specialties include traditional and contemporary contras, fun squares, challenging dances of all shapes and sizes, and caller’s training.
Lisa likes to emphasize community and communication in her workshops, guiding participants to get the most out of their dancing or calling experience. She has worked with both small organizations and CDSS (Country Dance and Song Society of America) to develop caller and dance leadership seminars across the country. Her keen interest in understanding group dynamics and the power of positive leadership has made her popular with smaller groups trying to establish a strong dance foundation, as well as with larger urban groups that want to retain a cohesive community character.
Lisa is a gifted teacher who strives to create a supportive and encouraging atmosphere within her leadership training seminars, and a fun and satisfying experience when she calls dances to various levels of dancers. Her goal is to share the joy and community of dance.
Lisa’s workshop will follow an expanded format, with the first session happening on Friday night, a second session on Saturday morning, and a third session on Saturday afternoon.
Topics of her workshop will include:
- “The Language of Figures” Understanding good contra dance teaching.
- “Stage Presence is a Frame of Mind” Creating your positive-forward stage persona.
CALLING PRACTICE