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NGI Recipient: Matthew Christian

Session Attended: Country Dance and Song Society - American Dance & Music Week (2018)

I’m writing with my thanks for your and CDSS’ help in making it possible for me to attend the CDSS American Week at Pinewoods. It was an intense experience that gave me a great deal of inspiration for music and dance.

On the musical side, a few things I plan to use for fun and for musical work in the community are foot percussion (Oliver and Tristan gave a great workshop), jawharp (another great workshop by Tristan and Julie), shapenote (Pete – I had been meaning to do this forever and loved it), chopping (no instruction, but I did glean some inspiration from Oliver), and some fantastic new tunes, among them a bit of tango, jazz, and hambo, from Owen. I also made some great connections with other young musicians.

Dance-wise, I loved the chance to step up my waltzing in Matthew and Anna’s class, and to participate in contra on a nightly basis.

I gleaned a great deal of inspiration, particularly in terms of my musical goals. Thanks for making this possible, and I will hope to give back in the future.