Terpsichore Class Schedule (2025)
Bonus Early Bird Class
Step Lively with Sir Midair: Dancing and Living Fully - Sir Midair MacCormaic
Step into a world where every dance becomes a celebration of life! In this class, we’ll explore how to make dancing more fun and meaningful, not just for yourself, but for those you share the floor with. Discover how to approach each dance with joy, presence, and intention, turning every moment into a memorable gift. Together, we’ll delve into what makes dance special, the art of being fully present, and how to give the most precious gift we have - our time - to create a deeper sense of connection and fun. Whether you’re a seasoned dancer or just starting out, come prepared to embrace each moment on the dance floor and in life!
Beginner Friendly Track
Beginning Dances by the Book - Baroness Gwenllyen the Minstrel, Master of the Pelican
New to dance? This class is for you! Want to learn what a great resource the Terpsichore at the Tower Guide to the Dances book is? After learning each dance we will look it up in the book and talk about all of the information provided. Dances will include Half Hannigan, Rufty Tufty, Black Nag, Black Alman, Montarde Bransle and Rostiboli Gioioso.
The Bransle Suite! - Yngerame Erskyne and Vincent O'Cosnachain
No partner? No problem! Simple circle dances that are made even more fun with live music, including Cassandra, Pinagay, Charlotte, War, and Aridan. Possibly even more dances as time permits.
Beginner-Friendly English Dances - Alexander of Mistig Waetru
Come learn three easy, fun English dances! We'll hoot and holler with Sellinger’s Round, run around like fools in Gathering Peascods, and dip our toes in the Gresley dances with Orynge!
Beginning 15th C. Italian - Briana Stonefield
Some of the most popular beginner-friendly 15th C. Italian dances, including: Petite Rose Petit Riens, and Amoroso
Beginning English Country Favorites - Briana Stonefield
Heart’s Ease, Jenny Pluck Pears, and Hit and Misse
Intermediate ECD
Original Choreographies for Three Couples - Maestro Dafydd Arth
Burley Mariners and Lord Sun, Lady Moon
Progression Dances - Baroness Gwenllyen the Minstrel, Master of the Pelican
Lord of Canarvan’s Jegg, Hunt the Squirrel and Trenchmore - 3 dances that all progress, but in different ways.
Four Couple ECD - Maestro Dafydd Arth
Fine Companion and Dull Sir John
English Country Suite - Alexander of Mistig Waetru
You know bransle suites, where the band plays a bunch of bransles without stopping and you just have to keep up? Yeah. That, but with ECD. Dances will include Picking of Sticks, Scotch Cap, and Whirligig (and don’t worry, we will learn the dances properly before we dive into the shenanigans)! Also featuring "Scotch Cap: I Did The Math So You Don't Have To"
Geometric ECD - Daniel de Lincoln
Intermediate ECD with interesting geometric patterns and regroupings. Lull Me Beyond Thee, Old Mole.
Intermediate Italian
Florido Giglio - New and Improved! - Alina of Foxwood
A cascarda (similar to Marviglia d’Amore, but with Fioretti!) with some issues and a few ways to deal with them. We’ll dance the Cynnabar version and discuss (and possibly dance) some of the other possibilities. If time permits and there is interest, we may also review Bella Gioiosa. Yay, dancing!
Mercantia (Intermediate 15th C Italian) - THL Darius the Dancer
A fun 15th C Italian dance where you get to flirt with the Merchant's spouse! If time permits, we may also review Vita di Cholino.
Contrary Furies - THL Sionnain of Mynedd Seren and Vincent O'Cosnachain
Contrapasso in Due and Furioso
16th Century Italian Favorites - THL Dunstan Bramblette
Gracca Amorosa and Bizzaria d’Amore
Dances by Request - Gwommy Anpurpaid
The site closes too early for post-ball requests to be likely. So we’re going to do them before the ball! This is also your chance to review any dances in the ball that could use an extra run-through.
Miscellaneous Track
Sion Was Bored - Messer Sion Andreas o Wynedd
Barnstaple, Brando Gioioso, and maybe Grayson.
Another Look at the Other Measures - Maestra Sara de Bonneville
This class will look at several of the lesser-known English Measures from Master Trahaearn ap Iuean’s class at 2024 KWDS. Dances will include: Lady Layton’s Measure, LaBonetta, La Down Cella, Lache Mysa, and perhaps the Longe Pavian. I will be using Master Trahaearn’s handout with all the research goodies, including details on the newly vetted Dulwich College MSS.
Tous Tes Basse Nous Appartient (All Your Basse Are Belong to Us) - Felice Debbage, Dance Master (OL)
“Tous Mes Amys,” a basse dance choreography for four dancers. All of the smooth silk of basse dance, with figure movements in a diamond shape.
Dancing the Carole - Rubeus le Blont
The Carole is a dance most often attributed to 12th Century France. It is also often treated as a dance we know nothing about - but that is not completely true. In this class, two competing theories of reconstruction will be presented (Mullally vs. Sahlin), and two dance choreographies explored. As a bonus, we'll also do Quen Quer Que - the only 'official' Carole so far in the SCA
Two for Eight (or more) - Messer Sion Andreas o Wynedd
Fee Ra Huri and Crossed Purposes