This is an archive of the 2017 Mad Robin Ball web site. To learn about the upcoming Mad Robin Ball, see our current ball page. |
Scott Higgs
Scott Higgs fell head-over-heels in love with dancing in 1975, taking up English, Scottish, contra, and morris all at once. He has been teaching English dance for over 25 years--delighting novices and experts alike. From Seattle to Antwerp, dancers praise his engaging programs, dynamic presentation, and emphasis on fun. Scott has traveled North America and abroad calling for contras and English country dances. He has been program director or staff member for summer camps at Pinewoods, Hey Days, Mendocino, Ashokan, and Mainewoods Camps and has led dancing at over 100 weekend events, including Fall Frolic. Scott has composed dozens of dances. His booklet of dance compositions, Early One Morning, appeared in 1995. His latest enthusiasm: Renegade Morris, now entering its tenth season of high-energy dancing. Learn more about Scott at http://scotthiggs.com
Rebecca King
Rebecca King is a versatile dance pianist, conductor, and composer, whose strong classical training and love of jazz show in her rhythmic and lyric piano accompaniments. Her great-grandfather, living in a small pioneer town in the west, moved his log cabin from his farm into town to be closer to play the fiddle for the town dances. Playing for community dances runs deep in Rebecca’s soul. She plays for English and contra dances in the greater San Francisco Bay area and has been on staff at dance camps, weekends, and balls across North America as well as in the U.K. and Italy. By day, she is a band director and music specialist in the Sonoma Valley Unified Schools. Rebecca has recorded and produced several CDs of English country dance music playing solo and with the band Persons of Quality, available at rebeccakingmusic.com
Anne Goess
Fiddler and vocalist Anne Bingham Goess delights in bringing traditional music to life, whether it be rollicking reels or poignant airs. A versatile performer, she plays regularly for Irish, English country and contra dancing in the San Francisco Bay Area. After training as a classical violinist, Anne discovered the Irish fiddle in 1996. She has since performed with the Three Irish Tenors, Melanie O'Reilly, Kristine Robin and the Wild Hog Ceili Band, Hardly Strictly Trad, the Raggedy Annes, and as a guest with Bangers and Mash. She has also arranged and provided spirited musical accompaniment for the 14th Annual Bloomsday Celebration in San Francisco, and for the Bay Area Country Dance Society's Playford Ball. Learn more about Anne and her upcoming recording of original compositions inspired by English country dances, Celtic airs, turn-of-the-century rags, and Breton tunes at her website.
Maurette Foster
Maurette Foster is a versatile flutist with interests in folk, jazz, and theatre. A protegé of Arthur Hoberman at Chapman University, her mentors also included Jean-Pierre Rampal and Thomas Nyfenger. She has been a soloist with the Glendale Symphony, the Rock & Roll Review at the Long Beach Arena, and the American Philharmonic in Santa Rosa. Maurette enjoys occasional Irish seisiún jams at the Redwood Cafe and performing English country dance music for NBCDS and BACDS.
Last modified 3/14/17 by MRB webmaster