Residency Artist - Traditional Arts
Residency Artist - Dance

Kathy Anderson and Randy Johnson

Kathy Anderson
2745 Keenan Avenue
Dayton, OH  45414
Phone: (937) 278-9676
Email: kathyanderson2@sbcglobal.net

Randy Johnson
1301 Marion Street
Greensboro, NC 27403
(336) 207-7727
Fax: (336) 272-7756
Email: fiddlerdad@aol.com

Kathy Anderson is a dance caller of traditional and new square and contra dances. Randy Johnson is an accomplished fiddle, banjo, guitar and bass player in the Appalachian style.
In residencies, we combine movement, rhythm and musical connection as the students learn to dance traditional dances to old-time music in a social setting. We also train some students in the art of calling or leading dances. We often perform together on the piano and fiddle, as live music provides the best energy. We also do some singing and play party dances. We have worked with all ages in residencies, family dances, festivals and community dances. The core group is usually fourth to sixth grades. We enjoy involving the community in this experience.

Kathy continues to call all over the country, England and Denmark at weekends, dance weeks and community dances. She collects new dances from contemporary dance writers, but also researches traditional squares from the 50s, 60s and 70s from old Sets in Order square dance magazines and dance books of that period. She also promotes calling squares by leading week-long intensive callers' workshops for those interested in developing this skill. She also has written many contras and squares. Randy has formed with many prize-winning bands throughout the years, and has recently won first prize band at the Charlie Poole festival in Eden, North Carolina. He has also toured with The Carolina Jug Stompers to sold-out houses and great reviews.

Kathy has been calling squares and contras since she started dancing in 1980, and previously played old time music on banjo and piano for about 10 years, which made her transition to calling a natural one. She attended one callers' week in 1983, but learned mostly by calling in all kinds of settings for years, and by dancing all over the country to other callers, observing their techniques. We value the experience of making dance enjoyable and accessible to whoever is on the dance floor. Randy has been playing for dances and festivals since 1975 and has since been featured on many albums. His band, Waking Up Tillie, captured top honors as well as fiddle and guitar ribbons in area competitions. He also has appeared on CD with The Well Tempered String Band and the recently released duet collection I'll Never Forsake You along with Kellie Allen and Pete Peterson.