NGI Recipient: Adrian Velonis
Session Attended: Royal Scottish Country Dance Society - Scottish Sessions I & II (2021)
This summer, I attended the two Scottish Country Dance sessions on the NGI Scholarship. It was my first time going to Pinewoods, so I had no idea what to expect. I certainly wasn’t disappointed.
I found myself headed to a ball just hours after arriving at camp. It was cool outside, and I could hear excited voices through the trees almost all the way from my cabin. When the musicians started playing the first tune, I watched with amazement as 100 people danced their hearts out without a second thought. It was the kind of energy I hadn’t seen for months and months—and in such a beautiful pavilion! It took me all of 32 bars to fall in love. Even better, I got to enjoy that feeling at another ball every night.
The daytime classes were also plenty of fun—I went to as many as I could keep my eyes open for, and I might’ve even learned a thing or two! The teachers were helpful and encouraging, and I enjoyed having the opportunity to focus on my geography, rhythm, and form in such a pleasant environment. I got a lot of inspiration to work on my technique as I watched experienced dancers move gracefully across the floor, and I’ve held onto that passion to continue learning even after camp ended.
I felt more welcomed at Pinewoods than I could’ve imagined. Everyone I met was excited to talk, laugh, dance, teach, and just enjoy our time together. I could hardly remember anyone’s name, but I felt like I’d known many of them for years. I honestly can’t decide what I liked the most about the whole thing: the evening balls, the post-dance swims in Long Pond, the ceilidhs and revelry in the camphouse, the wonderful classes, the Box Game, the Malört, or the humor everyone carried with them throughout the week.
Thank you, Pinewoods, for being so much fun. And thank you for giving me the opportunity to enjoy it with the NGI scholarship! 🙂