2026 Instructors

Ed Austin

International Dances

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.

Aaron Alpert

Israeli Dance

Aaron Alpert started dancing even before he was born! The son of two dancers, Aaron attended his first camp, Rikud in Los Angeles, at the age of 2 months, although he remembers very few of the dances from that weekend. At age 9, he first attended Alonim, a Jewish summer camp, and started getting serious about Israeli dancing. He began to teach as a freshman at UC Berkeley, via the Israeli dance “DeCal” class, and he was soon teaching and DJing at other local classes.

He opened a monthly Saturday party in 2012, named Nirkoda (Hebrew for Let’s Dance). In 2019, he founded Nirkoda Ba’Kerem, a full weekend camp, which continues to be held annually. During COVID-19, Aaron shifted to online events, in which his cat Steve was the undisputed star. Later, he and Latishya Steele opened a weekly outdoor class, which eventually moved indoors, becoming the current Nirkoda Le’Chayim session.

Aaron has also taught Israeli dance at several international camps, including Stockton, Mainewoods, Laguna Festival, and Mendocino Folklore. Aaron is super excited to join the Kentucky Dance Institute community and share some wonderful Israeli dances with all of you!

Sonia Dion and Cristian Florescu are known for their vibrant energy, warmth and exciting choice of dances and music.

Cristian Florescu was born in Bucharest, Romania. He started dancing in 1982 with different Romanian folk ensembles and studied with various specialists, including Theodor Vasilescu. Cristian was principal dancer with the National Ensemble Cununa Carpatilor. In 1990-91, he received his certificate as a recognized solo dancer and choreographer in the field of folklore from the Romanian Ministry of Culture and the ACAFR. In 1993, he joined Les Sortilèges, a professional folk dance company based in Montreal Canada, where he has danced, taught and choreographed. During his time in Canada, Cristian has acquired multiple skills in various dance forms, including modern dance, ballroom, jazz and tap, as well as French-Canadian and Irish step dancing.

Sonia Dion was born in Quebec and has been a professional dancer for over 20 years. She was lead dancer, choreographer and artistic director, among other roles for Les Sortileges dance company; Canada’s oldest professional folk dance ensemble, with whom she developed several new productions. Sonia has toured worldwide and has been exposed to a wide range of dance techniques, including Romanian folk dance, Scottish Highland dancing, French-Canadian step dance and ballroom dance. It was at Les Sortilèges that the two met and formed a professional and personal partnership. They have taught at l’École Supérieure de Danse du Québec, and have been part of the Artists in the Schools program sponsored by the Quebec Ministry of Education.

In recent years, Cristian and Sonia have developed a specific interest in working with recreational folk dance groups. They’ve been teaching in Brazil, Canada, the United States, Europe (Austria, Belgium, England, France, Germany, Italy, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland and the Netherlands) and Asia (Hong Kong, Israel, Japan, Malaysia, Singapore and Taiwan) to share their love of Romanian folk traditions.

They have taught workshops in Canada and the United States and choreographed Romanian suites for performing groups, including the world-renowned BYU Folk Dance Ensemble in Utah.

They are well-loved for their enthusiasm, style, humor and high energy. Some of their most popular dances include Hora Veche, Made in Romania, Dana, Opinca, Opincuţa, Te Aven Baxtale, Încâlcita, Chef and Ina Ina. They present their dances clearly, with intelligence and joy. Sonia and Cristian’s personality and heart are exceptional —it’s always fun to be with them!

Participants or/and dancers of all ages and dance levels from a variety of dance background are very warm WELCOME. The atmosphere will be friendly, inclusive, and fun. In the past, beginning to advanced dancers have found the workshop enjoyable.

Sonia and Cristian discuss the origins of the dances, demonstrate the dances, and break them down into small sections for students to learn more easily. Sonia and Cristian has a nice selection of dances that pleased participants, many of these dances are a ‘keeper’.

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

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