Ken Ritucci, assisted by Norm Poisson, started the Northeast Callers School in 2004. The school was held each October at the Mill-A-Round Dance hall, owned by Norm, in Manchester, New Hampshire.
The first school had 10 students. In 2005, the first guest Instructor, Lee Kopman, was hired. Each year the school has grown and attendance has ranged anywhere from 10 students to as high as 36 students.
In 2016, the school moved to Sturbridge, Massachusetts where we utilize the Hayloft Barn, home of the Hayloft Steppers Square Dance Club as well as the Host Hotel.
Students have come from all over the world, including Canada, France, Germany, Russia and Puerto Rico.
Guest Instructors have included Ted Lizotte, Betsy Gotta, Ed Foote, Don Moger, Steve and Lee Kopman, Randy Daugherty, Mike Sikorsky, Anne Uebelacker, Dottie Welch, Todd Fellegy, Rob French, Keith Stevens, Bill Harrison, Tim Mariner, Barry Clasper, Tom Miller, Walt Bull, Mickey Braithwaite, John Marshall, Jeff Priest, Jerry Story, Saundra Bryant, Andy Shore.
The guest staff changes each year, some are CALLERLAB Accredited Caller Coaches, and many are not. Ken looks for only the best staff, callers who are going to educate the students and have the students leave the school with a better feeling of themselves and their calling abilities.
One thing that makes the school not only successful, but also unique is that each evening of the school, there is an open dance where all the students call. Dancers come to enjoy listening and dancing to all of the students.
After each dance, the school features an “after party,” a time where students can do extra calling, or join together to sing duets. Sometimes a staff member will get up to call a tip. In the after party, the dance program can be anything from Mainstream to C2 or even higher!
We invite you to come to the school either as a student or a dancer. You will have a great time.