Our Teachers

We hand select 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.

2024 Instructors

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.

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.

Jacob Madsen

International Dance

Jacob Madsen was a member of the International Folk Dance Ensemble from 2010 to 2016, and has taught dance at Brigham Young University. He is currently Adjunct Faculty at BYU, has a Bachelor’s degree in dance and is on the board of trustees for the National Folk Dance Organization.

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.

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