From the Mic

Episode 9 - Sue Rosen

Episode Summary

This episode, Mary interviews Sue Rosen, a leading caller of contras, squares, English country dance and family dance programs for 30 years in the Boston area, across the country, and overseas. They talk about the central role of the traditional dance community in Sue and her family’s life, and the landscape of the Boston dance scene over the years, including stories about two of her most significant mentors—Ted Sannella and Larry Jennings. Sue also shares her thoughts on the philosophy of calling, choreography, and working with musicians, and take a look to the future, considering what lies ahead as we continue to navigate the interruption of the pandemic.

Episode Notes

See the From the Mic website for great bonus content, including pictures and audio, transcripts, and more. Click here to download the transcript directly.

And the Country Dance and Song Society for information about Contra and English country dance across the continent.

Sound bites featured in this episode (in order of appearance):

• Sue calling the dance “Beneficial Tradition” by Dan Pearl at a 2011 dance at the Scout House in Concord, MA with music by the Free Raisins - Amy Englesberg, Audrey Knuth, Jeff Kaufman
• Sue calling the dance ​​"Ashley's Star" by Bob Dalsemer at the 2011 Fiddling Frog dance weekend in Pasadena, CA with music by the Figments - Anna Patton, Owen Morrison, and Ethan Hazzard-Watkins.
• Sue calling the dance “Handsome Young Maids” written by herself! At the 2011 Fiddling Frog dance weekend in Pasadena, CA with music by Nightingale - Jeremiah McLane, Keith Murphy, and Becky Tracy.