PAST Teachers

We hand pick teachers who not only are experts in their field, but also are friendly and inclusive of all participants. Each year we select instructors from a diverse backgrounds ensuring a wide variety of countries and dance styles are represented.

2021 Staff

Ed Austin

International Dance

Edwin G. Austin, Jr., originally from Laguna Beach, California is an Associate Professor of Dance at Brigham Young University, Provo, Utah. He was the Artistic Director of the BYU International Folk Dance Ensemble (1985-2011), founded Cougar Clogging Classic, a percussive dance camp he directed for 30 years and Folk Dance for Youth. He directs, choreographs, and stages cultural dance, and is an adjudicator and Master Teacher of international dance forms. His creative works have been featured on television, and in concert and festival performances in more than 35 countries.

He recently finished his second term as president of the National Folk Organization of the United States (NFO) and is presently researching Taualuga, an ancient dance ritual originating in the Polynesian islands of Samoa. He is a past board member of Conseil International des Organisations de Festivals de Folklore et d’Arts Traditionnels (CIOFF), American Sector.

Special honors, recognitions, and accomplishments include: Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod, Adjudicator, Wales (2007-present); USA, Clogging Hall of Fame (2010); Ambassador’s Award for Cultural Diplomacy, Hungary (2008); Winter Olympic Games Opening Ceremonies, USA (2002); Guangzhou Academy of Dance 40th Anniversary Concert, Master Teacher and Choreographer, PRC (1999); and the Summer Olympic Games Opening Ceremonies (1988) Korea.

Harry Khamis

Scottish Country Dance

Harry started international folk dancing in 1978 at Virginia Tech while he was a graduate student. For 13 years he taught international folk dance as a college course at Wright State University in Dayton, Ohio in the PE department. In 1988 he fell in love with Scandinavian dances, and in 2004 he began his love of Scottish country dances.

Harry lives in the Seattle, WA area where he is a regular teacher of both Scandinavian and Scottish Country Dance. He received his “Big Silver” medal in Swedish polska dances in 1999, and he is the only non-Swede to hold 16 “diploms” from the Svenska Folkdansringen. In 2016 at St. Andrews, Scotland he became a fully certificated teacher of the Royal Scottish Country Dance Society. In 2018 he completed the Teachers Training course at St. Andrews. He started a Scottish Country Dance group in Uppsala, Sweden in 2018 while he was living there.

Harry welcomes the opportunity to share his favorite dances with others. He believes strongly in a warm, friendly, welcoming style of teaching. Harry recognizes that within any given dance class there may be some students who are audio learners, some who are visual learners, and some who are kinesthetic learners. Harry’s goal is to facilitate the learning process for all learners by incorporating teaching techniques that address each type of learning process.

Jacqui Grennan

Contra & English Country Dance

Jacqui Grennan started contra dancing in Los Angeles, CA, in 2009. Since then, she’s taken a deep dive into folk dancing, first as a contra caller, then choreographer, then English Country Dance caller and choreographer, and now taking on the challenge of learning modern western square dancing. These experiences of trying new things at different skill levels has enhanced her ability to consider different ways of teaching and learning. She is known for her clear and caring teaching with a stage presence that is a blend of calmness and dynamism. She knows what dancers want, and knows how to make it happen, seeing herself as the host of a party who wants to help everyone have a good time. When Jacqui isn’t calling or dancing at contra dances and English Country dances around the nation, she likes to host BBQs at her home, learn various musical instruments, hang out with her cat, and work on home projects.

Penny Brichta

Israeli Dance

Penny Brichta has been an avid Israeli dancer since college, spending her junior year at Hebrew University in Jerusalem dancing far more than studying. She has attended dance workshops in the US and abroad, learning from the top choreographers in Israeli dance. She performed with Nitzanim, Chicago’s premier Israeli Folk Dance Troupe for many years. On her most recent visit to Israel, Penny was thrilled to perform in the annual Karmiel Dance Festival contest for best new recreational dances.

Penny has been teaching the beginner’s session at the popular Chicago Israeli Dance group for 30 years, including this past year on Zoom. She is a regular teacher at the Door County Folk Dance Festival and has taught Israeli dance at Madison Folk Ball, June Camp, and at Mainewoods Camp as well as for many regional dance groups. Since her recent retirement from the corporate world, Penny has obtained certifications in Group Fitness instruction thru ACE, Silver Sneakers, Barre Connect, and Jazzercise and teaches multiple fitness classes each week.

Paul Henze

American Square Dance

Paul Henze entered square dancing “through the back door.” He started clogging with his wife in 1976 at Chattanooga State College. Later, Paul’s curiosity got the best of him and he met a lot of square dancers who challenged him to start lessons.

In 1981, Paul attended his first caller’s school let by Cal Golden and Gene Trimmer and was “subbing” for local callers and doing limited traveling. In 1983 he was asked to become the first caller for the “Rainbow Riders” in Cleveland, TN. That gave him the opportunity to teach his first square dance class and he has been teaching ever since.

In 1986 Paul joined Callerlab and his love of teaching extended to holding caller schools for the local caller’s association and teaching at multiple National Square Dance Conventions. A few years later, Paul attended the Caller-Coach school, Super School East, and became hooked, becoming a Callerlab Accredited Caller Coach in 1993. By 1995, Paul was asked to become the Vice Chairman of the Callerlab Caller-Coach Committee and became chairman three years later.

He currently maintains a plus program at home in Chattanooga and a multi-cycle square dance class. His loving wife Pattie assists in teaching line dancing and cueing. Paul also puts his 34+ years of experience to good use teaching 1 night square dance parties for the Chamber of Commerce, Girl Scouts, Churches and community Groups.

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Camp held at Murray State University, 102 Curris Center, Murray, KY 42071