NGI Recipient: Nicholas Bishop
Session Attended: Folk Arts Center of New England - Hungarian Weekend (2019)
I am so grateful to the Folk Arts Center of New England and Pinewoods Camp for a generous NGI scholarship, which made it possible for me to attend FAC’s first Hungarian Folk Dance Weekend at Pinewoods in June 2019.
Having the chance to learn a new variety of dance, from an excellent teacher in a beautiful setting, has been so much fun. I have been doing vintage dance since I was 6 and performing since I was 15, so the opportunity to learn a new dance style excited me greatly.
Over the last few months, I have had fewer and fewer opportunities to dance. By the end of the Hungarian Folk Dance Weekend, though, I felt like I had never stopped. The lessons given left me feeling like I had been dancing these dances for years, and the nearby lake provided a great opportunity to relax after each energetic class. I am thankful that even a beginner at folk dance could enjoy this event and learn exciting and fun dances.
Of course, I cannot forget the live music provided by Fényes Banda, which I felt really put me in touch with my father’s Hungarian roots. I hope by next year I will have even more experience with Hungarian folk dance, so that I can enjoy the event even more.
I encourage you to watch for details about the Hungarian Folk Dance Weekend and join us next year; it will be an unforgettable experience!