Telephone: 812-401-6732 or e-mail
"My parents, Bud and Sally Elsner began folk-dancing when I was in college. After a year
or two, I went to watch them perform at a downtown festival in 1977. I went as a spectator but ended up in audience participation.
It was great fun and great music. I took a beginners class from Russ Chong at the YWCA and have been dancing ever since.
Cindy (Wayland) Terry taught the group for many years and shaped us into a performing group, dancing at nursing homes, local
events and festivals. She was an excellent teacher and attended lots of workshops and camps to obtain new and varied material.
Over the years I have attended a number of weekend workshops and finally attended a weeklong dance camp at KDI in 1990.
It was a very special week and I highly recommend the camp experience to all dancers. Dancing with groups, large or small,
with a shared passion evokes a strong sense of connectedness and well being. When Cindy moved on to other endeavors, I became
the default teacher and “keeper of the stuff”.
I have no formal credentials other than longevity
and the desire to share the joy of IFD. The group is now growing as a result of several beginner classes, new memberships,
return of “lost sheep,” exposure to the community through performances, and the dedication and consistency of
core members. This regrowth is reenergizing after the years of decline. It is a joy to be an active group again and to share
in the enjoyment of a new generation of dancers. Although my parents are no longer able to dance, they are with us in spirit,
provide us the dance hall, and are kept apprised of the goings on.
I don’t know if I have a singular philosophy
of dance or teaching. There is value in maintaining historical accuracy and there is value in the “village variations”
that evolve over time as well. My goal is to get folks dancing, hopefully with some semblance of accuracy. There are challenges
with both difficult and simple dances and pleasure to be obtained from each."
Barb
