When I started calling in 1989, NY state and NJ had several women callers who
traveled at least in NY, NJ, and Ct dances. Becky was all that's been said
about her, I met her at a small folk festival and participated in a callers
workshop that she ran. She was very gracious about chatting,
I started contra dancing in the Cleveland area, where Becky lived, so
she and Carol Kopp were my first local callers -- the ones I heard week
after week. I have so many memories of her as a caller, dancer, and
leader but what stands out to me is that when I started calling myself,
she was so
Thanks so much to those of you who have responded to my inquiry about Becky
Hill. SO neat to learn more about her. :)
I love some of the stories about her personal philosophy about calling. So
great. :)
And yes... lovely to also hear what other women were also calling in the
1980s and 1990s.
The very first callers workshop I ever attended was lead by Becky. She
encouraged us to take responsibility for whatever happened on the dance
floor. "Own it. Win an Academy Award for sincerely saying, 'oops, I
misjudged, let's try this a different way.' "
Years later, for a full-weekend event in
(Make that late aughts. I forgot my own age.)
On Wed, May 15, 2024, at 3:01 PM, Harris Lapiroff via Contra Callers wrote:
> People who knew her better can say more than me, but I'll just add that she
> taught me to call when I was a student at Oberlin College in the early
> aughts, so she's
People who knew her better can say more than me, but I'll just add that she
taught me to call when I was a student at Oberlin College in the early aughts,
so she's really the one who started it all for me, for which I'm very grateful.
Harris Lapiroff
Dance Caller and Organizer
Boston
This past weekend I attended a dance called by Martha Tyner, who was
celebrating 40 years of calling.
Jonathan
-Jonathan Sivier
Caller of Contra, Square, English and Early American Dances
Dance Page: http://www.sivier.me/dance_leader.html
-
Q: How many angels can dance on the head of a
It may have been true that Becky paved the way. But by the time I started
calling in 1998, I don’t think it ever occurred to me that there were more
men than women. I recall not only Becky, but also Kathy Anderson, Cis
Hinkle, and Lisa Greenleaf making regular stops in Pittsburgh. And probably
From: Masha Goodman Crawford via Contra Callers
Date: 5/15/24 12:09 PM (GMT-05:00)
To: Amanda Setili via Contra Callers ,
Gregory Frock
Subject: [Callers] Re: Wanting to learn more about Becky Hill - the
choreographer
I call several of Becky's dances, they're still among my favorites
We knew Becky well here in Pittsburgh. She was the heart and soul of the
Cleveland contradance community and often came our way to call dances in
Pittsburgh. And as some have said, she was a lovely and gracious caller.
Do any of you remember the week when the World Trade Center was destroyed?
I’m
Subject: [Callers] Re: Wanting to learn more about Becky Hill - the
choreographer I call several of Becky's dances, they're still among my
favorites. Sandy Bradley and Kate Charles were two women callers that I
remember hearing & wanting to emulate back when I started calling in 1978. They
mo
I call several of Becky's dances, they're still among my favorites. Sandy
Bradley and Kate Charles were two women callers that I remember hearing &
wanting to emulate back when I started calling in 1978. They mostly called
squares, with a very musical, fun style. Sandy lives up in the PNW, I
I'm so glad you asked that, Emily, and thanks for your reflections, Greg.
I love Becky Hill's dances.
Bob Isaacs told us, during his calling workshop at CDH, that Becky paved
the way for women to get into calling. Apparently there were few (or none?)
women callers before her. Bob might have more
Hi Emily,
I knew Becky (although I am sure there are others lurking here who knew her
better). She was a very good natured and gracious person and dance leader,
who worked tirelessly to support and promote dancing in the Cleveland, Ohio
area. She published three (I think) books of dances, the
14 matches
Mail list logo
