Zeljko Jergan

Dances of Croatia

World-renowned choreographer and teacher Zeljko Jergan possesses an in-depth knowledge of Croatian folk dancing and a dynamic teaching style that have made him highly popular with international folk dancers. A native of Vara din, Croatia, Zeljko has created more than 450 original choreographies for numerous amateur, semi-professional, and professional ensembles. Beyond this, he has traveled extensively to conduct folk dance workshops and seminars in the United States, Canada, Europe, Japan and Taiwan.

Zeljko was a leading performer with the Croatian National Folk Ensemble LADO for 12 years and also performed with the Zagreb National Ballet and Modern Dance companies. Today he serves as artistic director for folklore ensembles in Ontario, Canada, Pittsburgh, Penn., Los Angeles, Calif. and San Jose, Calif., continually striving to elevate the level of  authenticity of each group’s cultural presentations.  

Bare Necessities

English Country Dance Callers and Performers

Bare Necessities is acclaimed nationwide and beyond for its unique presentation of English Country Dance music. Based in Boston, Mass., the band has been playing weekly country dances since 1978, performing music primarily from the 17th and 18th centuries at concerts, festivals, workshops, dance camps and balls throughout England, the United States and Canada. We are delighted to have pianist and dance leader Jacqueline Schwab and string musicians Mary Lea and Earl Gaddis presenting English Country Dance at August Camp.

Long-time dancer Al Blank appreciatively describes the group this way:

“Although the music spans the years from the reign of the first Elizabeth to the second, the group draws upon its Baroque, classical, folk and jazz backgrounds to make music of the present day. One of the ensemble always sustains the melody line to propel the dance forward. This frees the others to surround the melody with improvised lines creating textures and moods which intrigue the mind and beguile the ear, yet lift the dancers and float them along in a way that few dance musicians achieve, let alone sustain."