Mark your calendars for Texas Camp 2024: November 28 – December 1
at Greene Family Camp in Bruceville!
About Texas Camp
Information to include: • Sample schedule • Summary of events and activities • Food • Lodging • Link to Camp archive • A small (not comprehensive) gallery of pictures and videos • We will provide this information to you.
Registration Rates
Children (age 0-16) attend Texas Camp at no charge!
Adults (age 17 and older)
$366 – Full-time
$296 – Part-time (after lunch Friday through close of camp)
$296 – Non-dancer
(Non-dancer: an attendee with physical challenges that prevent them from dancing, or a dancer’s family member who does not participate in camp activities (classes, etc.). This rate is not available to part-time campers, scholarship recipients, or anyone receiving a staff discount.)
Registration Dates
October 1 – Deadline for scholarship applications
November 1 – Deadline for regular camp registration ($25 late fee after this date)
November 8 – Absolute last day to register!
November 23 – TEXAS CAMP starts!
Location
TIFD’s annual Texas Camp is held at Greene Family Camp, 1192 Smith Lane in Bruceville, Texas, just south of Waco. The closest major airports are in Austin (AUS) and Dallas (DFW). Click here for driving directions on GFC’s website.
Important Camp Rules
- Greene Family Camp is a non-smoking facility.
Smoking is prohibited anywhere within the camp grounds. - The camp kitchen is off-limits to campers.
There is a refrigerator in the staff lounge where you can store personal food items if needed. - No pets are allowed anywhere within the camp grounds at any time.
- A confirmed reservation is required to attend any part of Texas Camp.
No visitors and no drop-ins. - TIFD is proud to have a Code of Conduct.
What to Bring
Linens
Pack your own sheets, pillows, blankets, towels, etc., or rent them for a fee (see rental option on our camp registration form)
Essentials
- Toiletries
- Medications
- Shoes and clothes for any conceivable weather (25-85 degrees – sun, rain, ice)
Also nice
- Clothes hangers
- Umbrella/rain gear
- Flashlight
- Shower shoes
- Extra dance shoes
- Dance belt
- Party costumes
- Paper folding fan
- Ear plugs
- Bedside rug
- Night light
For dorm dwellers
Sheet to hang for bunk privacy
Faculty
Roberto Bagnoli – Teaching Dances from the Balkans and Beyond
Roberto grew up in Rome, where he was first introduced to folk music and dance, eventually taking part in several performances and teaching dance classes. He subsequently studied various forms of folk dance in workshops throughout Europe, Israel, and North America under the guidance of renowned choreographers and teachers.
Roberto now lives in Reggio Emilia in Northern Italy, considered to have one of the most important dance communities in Italy.
From 1995 to 2003, he performed as a dancer and choreographer with the Terra di Danza Dance Company and was involved in the production of Raggi di luna Italiana and Capriccio Italiano (Italian dances), GiroGiroMondo (dances from around the world), Keltic Emotion (Celtic dances), Mazal Tov (Israeli dances), and Ethnos (international folk dances). He is the founder of Folk Atelier Reggio Emilia (FARE), devoted to the development and conservation of folk dance heritage.
As director of FARE, he is in charge of organizing and conducting folk dance classes, workshops with Italian and foreign specialists, and of the performing sector, staging various performances, parties, and dance gatherings.
In recent years, he has organized some of the most important annual folk dance events in Italy, such as, Balkanot Israeli and Balkan Dance Camp, Maratona di Danza folk dance marathon, and Camp Yofi Israeli Dance Camp in Lago di Garda. He has completed the training program in Folk Dance Teaching led by Jan Knoppers from the National Dance Academy of Rotterdam, Netherlands.
Roberto teaches weekly classes in various cities in the North of Italy and conducts monthly sessions in Rome and Milan besides conducting workshops and seminars throughout Europe, the United States (notably the Stockton Folk Dance Camp), and Canada
Dances Roberto has taught include Ballo in Dodici, Bssanello, Cntradanza, Courento, Do Pasi, Falsa Moneda, Galoppa, Giga, Hora din Moldava, Joj Rado Joj Radmila, Jota Revolvedera, Mazurka di Sant’Andieu, Mazurka sor Cesare, Mineco, Passu Torrau, Saltarello, Sbrando, Scottis, Sor Cesare, Spagnoletto, Su Ballito, Su Dillo, Syrtos Kitrinou, Tarantella Bim Bom Ba, Tresso, Tu Romnie, Tumankuqe, Vajta n’Elbasan, and Valle e Mesme.
Joan Bennett and John Scott – Teaching Favorites from the International Folk Dance Repertoire
Joan and John have been active in the recreational Folk Dance scene — as dancers, teachers, DJs, performers, directors, and general community builders for over 50 years (15 of which were based in Austin)! They each discovered international folk dance in the early 1970s — Joan in Colorado and John in Northern California. Having started his dance career without Joan, John quickly saw the error of his ways when he moved to Oregon in the late 70s. Together they have danced, taught, programmed, and served on the board of dance organizations in several states.
Joan has had the privilege of being a featured instructor at folk dance camps and workshops in seven states. She has been a member of the regular teaching staff for the local international and Scandinavian groups wherever she lives. She has attended an embarrassing number of workshops and dance camps over the years and has partnered many instructors from Dick Crum to Graham Hempel to Germain Hebert. In the process of performing with three and directing two folk dance companies, she has arranged or choreographed seven dance suites.
Joan has a passion for good, clear teaching and has spent her career engaged in teaching both adults and children — as a corporate trainer, organizational development specialist, and historically, as a classroom teacher. She has always believed in playing-it-forward, and her master classes for folk-dance teachers and dance DJs or programmers have been a helpful addition to many dance groups.
Joan’s partner in life as well as on the dance floor, John Scott assists Joan when teaching Scandinavian and other couple dances. John is an accomplished dancer, performer, teacher, and a contra-dance demon. He also happens to be a favorite dance partner of both beginning and advanced dancers. Besides dancing, John is a drummer and percussionist of Balkan, contra, and other folk music.
These days, you can find Joan teaching and dancing with Salem (OR) IFD and Hoolyeh Folk Dancers on Zoom and attending most dance festivals in the Pacific Northwest. John is active in the lively contra dance scene up and down the West Coast, and together they dance and teach with Norske Runddansere in Portland, OR. When not dancing, they are entertained by Razmus the dog and two cats, attending music and other cultural events, and enjoy the natural wonders of the Oregon mountains and coast.
Whether you are a beginner or a veteran, when you dance with Joan & John, you will laugh, learn something new, and share some quality smile time. They are excited to have the opportunity to share their passion for dance and fun at Texas Camp 2023!
Shirley Johnson – Teaching Folk Songs for Everyone
Shirley grew up in Pittsburgh, PA. immersed in her Croatian heritage. At the age of ten she began her accordion studies. Throughout her childhood she performed music and dances as a member of various Tamburitza groups. Shirley played prim on the album “Croatians, Dances They Dance,” produced by the Duquesne Tamburitzans Institute of Folk Arts.
College took her to North Carolina. As a member of the Duke University Chorale she had the opportunity to sing at Carnegie Hall and Disney World.
In 1979 Shirley traveled to Czechoslovakia with the Pittsburgh Area Slovaks. There she accompanied them on accordion at folk festivals in Detva and Senec as well as on Czechoslovak TV and radio.
After college she began dancing international folk-dances and became acquainted with the music of other European cultures. Thanks to the East European Folklife Center, which sponsors workshops devoted to Balkan music, Shirley learned techniques specific to those countries from expert accorionists and singers.
While living in Durham, North Carolina, Shirley directed the women’s folk group “Djevojke,” was a member of the German Oktoberfest band “Holzhackern”, and sang in seven productions produced by the Triangle Open Theatre. She also played accordion for the North Carolina Theatre’s production of “Fiddler on the Roof.” She studied voice with Professor Martha Flowers.
In 1995 she was awarded an Emerging Artist grant from the Durham Arts Council and recorded her first solo CD, “Blood Red Rose- Transcending Boundaries: Songs from the Heart of Bosnia, Croatia, and Serbia.”
From 1992 to 1994, living in Rome, Italy, Shirley sang with the “Coro Misto” of “L’Accademia della Filarmonica,” performing throughout Rome, including St. Peter’s Basilica, Italian radio and TV, and at the Vatican for Pope John Paul II’s “Papal Concert to Commemorate the Holocaust.”
Since moving to Austin, Texas in 1996 she has performed in concerts, on radio and TV, in clubs, restaurants, festivals, and private parties. For a brief period, Shirley played accordion with the Indie rock band, “The Invincible Czars”, including a showcase at the 2004 South by Southwest Music Festival. Shirley is the accordionist on “The Happytones Play Politics” CD and for Scott Morgan Biggs’s 2005 short film “Hills Like White Elephants.”
In the summer of 2005, Shirley produced her second CD:”Where to Now? Folk Music from Many European Lands.”
In March, 2006 Shirley presented a workshop on “Balkan Accordion Styles” at the National Accordion Association Convention in Dallas, TX and again in September of that year at the Wilmington Accordion Festival in Delaware. Later that year she performed music from her Croatian heritage at the San Antonio International Accordion Festival. She has performed for various folk dance clubs in Texas, North Carolina, and Pittsburgh, PA. In spring of 2009 Shirley was the accordionist for the Austin Lyric Opera and University of Texas Butler School of Music production of “La Curandera.”
While maintaining a regular performance schedule, in July, 2009 Shirley began teaching accordion, hoping to pass on her knowledge and love of her instrument and music to the next generation.
Shirley is a well-known and well-loved part of the Texas Camp family. Whether leading her renowned singing classes, serenading campers during dinner, or kicking up her heels at the Bruceville Roadhouse, Shirley is sure to bring a smile to your face and a warmth to your heart.
Don Weeda – Leading the Camp Band
Over 40 years ago, Don Weeda — a pianist by training — picked up the accordion for the first time, and a love affair was born. He shortly thereafter discovered the world of Eastern European folk music and promptly resolved to try to learn as many tunes as he could. This turned out to be not only a lifelong quest, but so much fun that a number of friends through the years have tagged along for all or part of this musical odyssey as members of his band Slavadillo. He is also an in-demand accompanist and a member of many other bands, most recently including the 1001 Nights Orchestra and AIO. He has been a performer, recording artist and workshop conductor at festivals and camps all over North America.
TEXAS CAMP TEACHER HISTORY
Ada Dziewanowska 1975
Ahmet Luleci 1990 2016 2022
Alberto Toledano & Loreen Arbus 1993
Altagracia Garcia 1960
Alura Flores de Angeles 1954 1955 1956 1957 1962 1964 1966 1967 1968 1970 1972
Andor Czompo; 1964 1965 1974 1976
Andy Taylor-Blenis 2019
Ann Zavada 1960
Atanas Kolarovski; 1969
Bev &Ginny Wilder; 1969
Bob Allison 1952 1954
Bob Leibman; 1986 2004
Campbell Miller 2015
Celest DiPietropaolo and Marie DiCocco 2010
Cristian Florescu & Sonia Dion 2007 2011 2017
Connie Lambert; 1985
Conny & Marianne Taylor 1968 1971
C. Stewart Smith 1970
Daniel & Gaelyn Beal; 1984
Dave Rosenberg 1958, 1959
David Henry 1983
Dick Oakes 1977
Donna Barker & Ken Haltenhoff 1992
Doug Butcher; 1981
Eleanor Boyer; 1953 1961
Emily Mucha 1957
Ercumet Kilic; 1984 2009
Franklin Houston 2011
George Fogg 2008
George Lowrey 1962 1967 1980
George Tomov 1976
Germain & Louise Hebert 1971
Germain Hebert 1990
Gordon Tracie 1963 1965 1973
Hardeep Sahota 2014
Henry Lash 1954
Holly Plotner & Misi Tsurikov 2015
Huemantzin Lopez 1994
Ingvar Sodal 1978 1982
Ingvar & Sally Sodal 1996
Jaap Leegwater 1985 1998 2010
Jacek & Bozena Marek 1999
Jane Farwell 1st CAMP Jan & Nov, 1949 1950, 1951, 1953, 1959, 1961 1966 1970 1972
Jean Forbes 1969
Jerry & Jill Duke 1995
Jimmy Drury 1984
Jimmy LaVita & Julie Normand 1986
Joe Graziosi; 1988 1995 2001 2014 2020
John Bloom 2012
John Morovich 2003
John & Paula Pappas 1972 1975
John Steele & Sue Hovorka 1981
John Skow; 1964
Kalman & Judith Magyar; 1983
Karin Gottier 1979
Larry Weiner; 1987
Lee Otterholt 2006 2018
Lisa Smith 2012
Madeline Brock 2011
Madelynne Greene 1960 1967
Marcus Koch & Barbara Kaufer 1998
Mary Tymkowych 1956 1958 1960 1962
Matt Jones & Laura Malloy 2002
Michael Cartier 1962
Michael Ginsburg 2000 2021
Michael Seider 2018
Mihai David 2015
Monica Caivano 2003
Monique Legare 2009
Morley Leyton & Monique Legare 1989
Nelda Drury; 1952 1958 1980
Nicolaas Hilferink 1992
Oscar Martinez & Kanosky Munoz 2007
Patrick McMillan; 1981
Per & Margareta Jennische 1977
Petur Iliev 1991
Ralph Page 1954
Richard Powers 2006 2017
Richard Powers & Angela Amarillas 1997
Richard Powers & Melanie Cougarstar 1987
Rikki Nicolae 2013
Roo Lester 2001 2005
Roo Lester & Larry Harding 1991 2016 2022
Ruth Browns 1967 1977
Steve Kotansky; 1981 1988 1994 1997
Steve & Susan Kotansky 2004 2013
Sunni Bloland; 1973 1980
Theodor & Lia Vasilescu 1999
Tineke & Maurits Van Geel 2019
Tom Bozigian; 1979 1993
Vonnie Brown; 1981
Vyts Beliajus 1955 1956 1957
Willie Bushnell & Gay Ann Gustafson 2000
Win Hirschmann 1963
Yaakov Eden 2005
Yuliyan Yordanov 2012
Yves Moreau; 1974 1978 1982 1989 1996
Yves Moreau & France Borque-Moreau 2002 2008 2022
Zoltan Farkas & Ildiko Toth 1991
Added Attractions
Special Curriculum
Don’t miss Roberto Bagnoli’s fascinating culture session, or Joan Bennett’s mini-workshops: one on teaching folk dance, and one on presenting great programs as a folk-dance DJ. It’s always a good time to learn something new!
Singing Classes
All are welcome here, where novice and expert singers come together to master folk songs old and new, explore vocal styles from around the globe, and share what they’ve learned in an informal performance that always brings smiles.
Camp Band
Texas Camp has a strong live-music tradition. Musicians are welcome and encouraged to play in our friendly Camp Band during evening dance parties. Tell us when you register that you’ll join the band – we will get in touch to help you prepare.
Expert Local DJs
Music at parties also includes beloved recorded tunes, spun by experienced DJs. Want to be considered for a turn at the programmer’s helm? Or recommend someone? Please alert our party programming coordinator (partyprogram@tifd.org).
Contra Dance Session
Long lines and hands four for a rollicking whirl of contra sets! Lively jigs and reels provided by our fun pick-up band.
The Bruceville Roadhouse
Club and couple dancing from Texas and other planets! Grab a partner, snag a cold drink, and join our boot-scootin’ bunch for a honky-tonk good time.
Sprung Wood Dance Floor
Our custom-built floor is famously comfortable. We now use hired labor to install and store it away. To the volunteer “floor elves” who valiantly handled this huge task for many years, TIFD offers heartfelt thanks – you are big stars in Texas Camp history!
Dance Review Digital Download
TIFD produces a review video of the teachers demonstrating the dances taught at camp. Pre-order during registration, or place an order while you’re with us. We’ll send a download link after camp.
Let’s go shopping at Balkan Bazaar! Find your party costumes right here!
Balkan Bazaar is a pop-up shop full of beautiful and intriguing things to wear, collect, listen to, decorate with, give as gifts, and enjoy. Our beloved Suze Stentz and Richie Leonard always arrive with something for everyone, from opanci to pillows. You won’t find this eccentric and exciting collection of goods anywhere else. For a preview, please visit https://balkanbazaar.com.
REMINDER: Balkan Bazaar does not accept credit cards! (But cash and checks are just wonderful!)
Housing
All housing at Greene Family Camp has central heating and air conditioning. There are two housing types:
Dorms
Basic camp housing is in duplex dorms. Each has six twin bunk beds on each side, with a shared bath between. Most campers sleep on the lower bunks, and stow gear up top.
Private Rooms with Private Baths
Each private room sleeps up to two campers, and has a private bath. There is an extra fee of $100 for single occupancy, or $50 per person for double occupancy. Beds may be twin or queen size – let us know if you have a preference, and we’ll try to accommodate it.
NOTE: Private housing units are available to families at no extra fee, but only until October 15. Families are defined as one or more adults with one or more children age 16 or younger. After October 15, families will be assigned to family dorms (two large bedrooms, with a shared bath between).
Financial Assistance
Reduced Rate for Non-Dancers
We offer a reduced rate for non-dancers. A non-dancer is a camper with physical challenges that prevent dancing, or a camper’s family member who does not participate in camp activities (classes, etc.). This rate is not available to part-time campers, scholarship recipients, or anyone receiving a staff discount. Please see Registration Rates & Dates for rate.
Scholarships Available — Don’t Let Money Keep You from Camp!
In memory of beloved longtime dancer, Ms. Bobbi Gillotti, TIFD offers full or half scholarships to full-time campers in financial need, regardless of age. If finances are holding you back from camp, please know this: WE REALLY, REALLY WANT YOU TO APPLY FOR A SCHOLARSHIP!
Please note: TIFD does not announce the names of scholarship awardees or call attention to them in any way. Your scholarship is strictly your business. You must apply by October 1 to be considered. Please apply today! We will respond to all applications no later than October 20.
IMPORTANT DATES FOR SCHOLARSHIP APPLICANTS
October 1 – Scholarship application deadline
October 20 – Applicants receive a response by this date
November 1 – Last date to register for camp without a late fee
November 8 – Absolute last date to register for camp
Party Themes
Thursday – Toys & Games
Hey, doll face! GI Joe and Raggedy Ann invite you to Pokemon around in your favorite fun stuff. Pogo ahead and raid the toy box, the Xbox, and that box of well-worn board games. It’s your turn to Go Fish for costume ideas. Time to level up, take a Risk, and tell us your best Toy Story.
Friday – The Black & White Ball
Dark and light/on this night/we’ll etch the hall in black and white. Wear whatever you want, be whoever you wish – but only in these two elegant, opposite shades. Borrow the drama that made icons of pandas, piano keys, and Rick’s Bar in Casablanca — cast yourself as a classic, too!
Saturday – A Trip To the Balkans
All aboard for an epic journey! Travel with us from Croatia to Turkey, from Romania to Greece, from Slovenia to Bulgaria and beyond, and marvel at the colorful textiles, rich harmonies and stirring dance rhythms unique to the folk traditions of the Balkans. Ajde, let’s dance!
Covid Protocols
Testing — COVID testing and wristbands will be required again this year before entry into camp. Attendees must test once upon arrival, and again with a buddy first thing Saturday morning.
TIFD will oversee the first test, and provide test kits for it. Campers must provide sufficient unexpired kits for their own Saturday self-test. Negative test results from expired kits will not be
honored. As in 2022, campers will self-test first thing Saturday morning, using the buddy system and signed affidavits. Any camper who tests positive will be required to leave camp at that time (see refund note below).
We urge everyone to test before leaving home, and to forgo attending camp if they feel unwell; we don’t want you to have to about-face once you’ve traveled all the way to camp!
No-questions-asked refunds — In a suspension of our normal cancellation policy due to COVID-19, registrants who do not attend camp will receive full refunds of their registration fees, less their TIFD membership fees. Attendees who test positive on Saturday, and must therefore immediately depart camp, will receive prorated refunds, less their membership fees.
Masking — Wearing a mask is highly encouraged but not required this year. Please provide your own masks. We suggest N95 masks.
Vaccination – Proof of vaccination is not required this year. Nevertheless, we strongly suggest that all Texas Camp attendees be vaccinated within the previous six months. (Note: if federally approved, an updated Covid-19 vaccine may be released in mid-September, targeting the new Omicron sub-variant XBB.1.5.)
Remaining on the grounds – To protect everyone’s safety, we ask all campers to remain on the Greene Family Camp grounds for the duration of camp, and forgo any trips to town.
These protocols may change – At the discretion of the TIFD Board of Directors, these protocols may change, should changes in public health circumstances and/or federal government guidance emerge between now and camp. As camp approaches, please check back here for updates. You attend Texas Camp 2023 at your own risk.
Contact Info
Registrar
Denise Fynmore – registrar@tifd.org
Housing
Wendy Erickson – housing@tifd.org
Party Programming Coordinator
Lisa Horn Dielman – partyprogram@tifd.org
Co-Chairs, Texas Camp Committee
Lauren Johnson and Kathleen Yoder – cochairs23@tifd.org
TIFD Board of Directors
board@tifd.org