Next Contra on DECEMBER 27 at the ICC
Dam Beavers (2026)
Ben Schreiber • fiddle
Ness Smith-Savedoff • drums
Ben Schreiber • fiddle
A fiddler and tune writer rooted in the contra dance scene, Ben brings a diverse musical palette influenced by his Midwest upbringing and years in the San Francisco Bay Area.
Scotty Leach • piano
Ness Smith-Savedoff • drums
Ben Schreiber • fiddle
Scotty has been immersed in music since he was born, and he plays both piano and fiddle with equal ease. Tuned in to whichever instrument he plays, he is confident in his skill to rev up the dance floor vibe!
Ness Smith-Savedoff • drums
Ness Smith-Savedoff • drums
Ness Smith-Savedoff • drums
Ness Smith-Savedoff has delighted dancers around the United States with his drumming, pleased the ears of thousands with his audio mixing, and seeks to uplift and entertain with his composition.
Susan Petrick (2026)
An avid dancer for many years, Susan started calling for contra dances in 2000 and teaching couple dances, including waltz, cross-step waltz, and hambo, shortly thereafter. Susan lives in Redwood City, CA and has become a regional treasure with national prominence, calling for dance weekends and festivals throughout the country. She is known for her clear teaching, efficient guidance, and expert pacing, making even complex dances accessible to all. By profession Susan is a cognitive psychologist who manages a team of User Experience researchers at Google in Mountain View, CA.
English Country Dance by Faire Winds with Peg Hesley (2026)
Andrea Hoag
Andrea Hoag
Andrea Hoag
Adventurousness and curiosity are hallmarks of Andrea Hoag’s career: she’s delved into and performed musical styles from Irish to Klezmer, from country rock to swing. A natural on the concert stage, she also revels in playing for dance. Her music has been featured on NPR’s All Things Considered and Performance Today, at the Kennedy Center
Adventurousness and curiosity are hallmarks of Andrea Hoag’s career: she’s delved into and performed musical styles from Irish to Klezmer, from country rock to swing. A natural on the concert stage, she also revels in playing for dance. Her music has been featured on NPR’s All Things Considered and Performance Today, at the Kennedy Center and Library of Congress, and at numerous venues around the U.S. Known for their versatility and imagination, Andrea’s recordings range from the Grammy-nominated Hambo in the Snow to the Celtic Christmas album Cold Frosty Morning at West River. She was also a founding member of the cross-cultural Dovetail Ensemble.
Faire Winds
Andrea Hoag
Andrea Hoag
Faire Winds features Arizona dance band mainstays Judy Francis on keyboard, Mary Ann McLeod on fiddle, and Elena Martin on flute. Their sound is unique, their communication with the dancers is magical, and the addition of Andrea Hoag to the regular lineup promises to give English Country Dancers a delightful and memorable experience.
Peg Hesley
Andrea Hoag
Peg Hesley
Peg Hesley anchors the English Country Dance community in the Phoenix area. An experienced caller and programmer of ECD events at the Irish Cultural Center and with the Jane Austen Society, she is also well known in the contradance community.