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NGI Recipient: Katie Boardman

Session Attended: Country Dance and Song Society - Early Music Week (2015)

Thanks to the NGI Scholarship, I had the opportunity to attend Early Music Week at Pinewoods, and it is a vibrant place full of vibrant people. It’s also a chance to meet people from different spheres of life, who all care about music enough to devote a whole week out of their busy lives to it! I loved watching the beautiful friendships that form and last here. It was so exciting to notice how I learned dances better and better as the week went on! The community of dancers is supportive and fun, no matter what skill level you’re at. I had a little bit of experience with English Country Dance before coming to Pinewoods, and now that I’ve danced with so many helpful people, I’ve learned a lot more!

As I begin my professional career in Early Music, I appreciate having a place to meet and work with excellent performers and teachers in such a relaxed environment. At Pinewoods, we can relate to each other simply — here we are in the woods, singing and dancing — rather than dealing with the pressure of an audition.

There’s so much freedom to explore different things here. I got to play at krummhorn and a viol, neither of which I had tried before! I am glad to have met people who will give you a quick lesson on their instrument of choice.

Away from the stress of school or a career, and living in the beauty of the woods, Early Music Week this summer was a chance to experience supportive music making for the simple pleasure of it.