Caller Education

One of the purposes of the Callers' Council of New Jersey (CCNJ) is to promote the development of proficient Square Dance callers and leaders. In this regard CCNJ provides:

Lending Library

The CCNJ library has many books and pamphlets on calling. In addition there is an extensive collection of DVDs and tapes from CALLERLAB conventions which may be borrowed. Titles of the CDs in the collection may be found here.

On-Line Caller educational material, articles

The CCNJ callers private web site pages provide a way for CCNJ members to access the information from the educational sessions at CCNJ meetings. This area also contains historic CCNJ documents and information about square dancing in NJ.

Educational Sessions

Before every CCNJ meeting there is an hour long educational session on a subject of interest to square dance callers. Sometimes it is business related but more often it includes dancing with participation of the callers present. Because CCNJ is fortunate to have a members who is a CALLERLAB Accredited Caller Coach, the educational sessions are often backed by years of experience and knowledge. The themes of past meetings are shown on the meetings page.

New Caller Education Sessions

CCNJ Caller School 2008

Periodically, as needed, CCNJ provides a series of New Caller Education Sessions for new callers. Typically there are 5 or 6 three hour sessions held a week apart. This allows new callers to practice the techniques between sessions. These sessions are usually led by Betsy Gotta, a CALLERLAB Accredited Caller Coach, and include lecture time as well as microphone time.

New Caller Dances

Following the New Caller Education Sessions the CCNJ holds New Caller Dances. These dances are held on a monthly interval and provide the New Callers with a platform to practice their new skills. At a typical New Caller Dance up to seven callers are able to call two 10 minute tips using any material they choose. The only requirement is that the tip must have a "purpose" such as teaching a particular call, sight resolution, etc. Alternatively the new callers can try one of the caller games found here. Callers in attendance provide feedback to the new callers using the New Caller Feedback form. Sometimes these dances are videotaped. Participation in these dances is limited to CCNJ callers, their significant others, and invited guests.

The next New Caller dance is January 5, 2019. Contact Gardner Patton for more information.

Caller Workshops

When no New Caller Dances are scheduled the CCNJ hosts Caller Workshops. These workshops are similar to New Caller Dances but all CCNJ members may call. Again up to seven callers are able to call two 10 minute tips using any material they choose. Callers in attendance provide feedback to the other callers using the New Caller Feedback form. When requested these dances are videotaped. Participation in these dances is limited to CCNJ callers, their significant others, and invited guests.

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