Any Berea College Student is eligible to become a Country Dancer. No prior dance experience is needed. Just attend try-outs that occur at the beginning of each semester.
We practice 4 hours per week, on Mondays and Wednesdays from 6:30-8:30 pm, and perform many times during the semester, serving as ambassadors of Berea College. Dancers are given a schedule at the beginning of the school year with performance times and dates, and are expected to participate in all performances. Commitment to the team is expected, bringing your best self to practices and performances. We are a friendly and welcoming group, and you can expect to learn a lot about traditional dance, get lots of good exercise, laugh, and be appreciated as an individual and a group member. Costumes and dance shoes are provided. You also get to wear bells and clash sticks!
In the Fall: Street dances, Berea Dances, Mountain Day, Fall Tour, Homecoming; In the Spring: Spring Tour, Convocation, Mountain Folk Street dance(s), Morris Tour
There is no need to sign up for an upcoming street dance. Just show-up to the location, free of charge!
Contact Deborah Thompson to discuss the possibility. Country Dancers are eager to perform during their tours in the Fall and Spring semesters, and for selected local and regional performances.
Come to street dances, they are free of charge! Come watch us perform, there is no extra cost! If you’re a Berea College student, try out for the team at the beginning of the Fall or Spring semester. There are also many community dances for contra, squares, English country, waltz, and vintage dances you can attend for an admission charge. See our links page for more information.
Every year at Fall homecoming we have an alumni dance from 2 to 4 Saturday afternoon. Alumni are welcome to come and participate during the Fall (hyperlink to folk circle association webpage) and Spring Mountain Folk Festivals. Help us set up a tour in your community. Participate in alumni dance tours. Contribute to Country Dancers endowment fund.
Go to https://www.berea.edu/ccds/ and navigate to the Download Class Schedule and Registration tab on the left side of the webpage. Fill out the form, and send it to CCDS CPO 2159 Berea, KY 40404 along with checks made payable to Berea College.