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COUNTRY DANCE AND SONG SOCIETY INC
Rochester, NY · EIN 222570260 · Form 990EZ · FY2024 · Micro (<$100K) · cdrochester.org
revenue
$52K
expenses
$49K
net assets
$28K
employees
—
mission · from form 990

The Country Dancers of Rochester (CDR) is dedicated to the preservation, study, teaching, enjoyment and continuing evolution of English and American traditional and historical dance and dance music. We currently offer two styles of dance: traditional New England Contra and English Country. Our dances are participatory, open to all, with live music, smoke-free and alcohol free. Newcomers are always welcome.

profile · synthesized from sources

Country Dancers of Rochester (CDR) is dedicated to preserving and promoting English and American traditional dance and music, primarily through participatory contra and English country dances. The organization hosts regular weekly dances, seasonal events, and special weekend gatherings featuring live music and experienced callers. Open to all skill levels, CDR emphasizes community, inclusivity, and accessibility, with events held in Rochester, NY.

named programs · 5 · from sources

What they call their work

Golden Celebration Weekend
Special anniversary event featuring contra, English country, balfolk, waltz, fusion, and techno contra dancing with guest callers and musicians
Jane Austen Ball
Bi-annual Regency-style ball featuring period dances, formal attire, and advanced English country dance repertoire, preceded by preparation sessions and practices
Summer Camp Scholarships
Provides financial assistance to members for attending CDSS-affiliated summer dance camps, supporting continued engagement in traditional dance
Weekly Contra Dances
Regular contra dances held weekly, typically on Thursdays, featuring live music and calling, open to all experience levels
Weekly English Country Dances
Participatory English country dances held on Sundays with live music, walk-throughs for newcomers, and seasonal scheduling adjustments
activities · 3 groups

What they do

  • Traditional & Cultural Performing Arts 2 activities
    • Host public dance events during festivals and special programs
      Organizes free contra dances as part of the Rochester Fringe Festival and participates in Trad Week events, featuring guest callers and musicians to broaden access and engagement with traditional dance forms.
    • Provide educational programs and workshops in traditional dance and music
      Offers educational activities, workshops, and multi-format dance weekends focused on English and American traditional and historical dance and music, including instruction in contra, English country, balfolk, waltz, fusion, and techno contra styles for the general public.
  • Arts Education Scholarships 1 activity
    • Provide financial assistance for members to attend dance camps
      Offers scholarships and awards up to $500 in financial assistance to support CDSS members attending summer dance camps, which may be distributed to a single recipient or divided among multiple applicants.
  • Uncategorized 2 activities
    • Organize and host weekly and seasonal community dances in traditional styles
      Hosts regular contra and English country dances in Rochester, NY, including weekly Thursday night contra dances and Sunday English country dances, with beginner lessons offered before events to ensure inclusive participation. Also organizes seasonal events such as the annual Masquerade Ball, the Turning of the Year Ball, and a bi-annual Regency-style Jane Austen-era ball, many of which include live music, refreshments, and practice sessions.
    • Produce publications on traditional dance traditions
      Authored and published educational materials on traditional dance, including the book _Cracking Chestnuts: The Living Tradition of Classic American Contra Dances_, contributing to the preservation and dissemination of historical dance knowledge.
financials · form 990EZ · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$52K
Contributions & grants$1K3%
Program service revenue$48K91%
Investment income$4601%
Other revenue$0
expenses
Total expenses$49K
Program expenses—
Admin / overhead—
Fundraising—
Salaries & benefits$0
Grants paid out$500
balance sheet
Total assets$29K
Cash—
Investments—
Liabilities—
Net assets$28K
4 years on record · 2021–2024 · YoY revenue -9.6%
relationships · 31

Who they work with

  • Alchemy Partner — Musical ensemble providing live accompaniment for dances and practices
  • Alex Deis-Lauby Partner — Calls contra and English country dances for events organized by the Country Dancers of Rochester.
  • Annie Kidwell Partner — Calls contra dances and creates choreography for events organized by the Country Dancers of Rochester.
  • Audrey Jaber Partner — Provides fiddle performance for English country dances at events organized by the Country Dancers of Rochester.
  • Beverly Francis Partner — Professional caller who leads ball practices and events
  • Bob Fabinski Partner — Caller who leads contra dances with a focus on clear instruction for beginners.
  • CDSS Network — Participates in the Country Dance and Song Society network, offering members access to CDSS summer camp scholarships.
  • COUNTRY DANCE AND SONG SOCIETY INC Network — Member organization affiliated with the national Country Dance and Song Society.
  • Catherine Sloboda Partner — Performs as part of the musical duo Jane and Cat, providing violin for English country and contra dances.
  • Country Dance and Song Society Network — Publisher of David Smukler's book _Cracking Chestnuts: The Living Tradition of Classic American Contra Dances_.
  • Country Dancers of Rochester Partner — Local chapter organizing a Masquerade Ball event under the broader network
  • David Smukler Partner — Caller and choreographer who leads contra, square, and English country dances for events organized by the group.
  • First Rochester Church Partner — Venue host for ball preparation sessions and Saturday events
  • Glenrose Partner — Live band that performs traditional contra dance music for events.
  • Heart Throbs String Trio Partner — Provides live music for contra dance events.
  • Jane Knoeck Partner — Performs as part of the musical duo Jane and Cat, providing piano for English country and contra dances.
  • Joanna Reiner Wilkinson Partner — Calls English country dances for events organized by the Country Dancers of Rochester.
  • Kanack School Partner — Collaborates with Kanack School Faculty to provide live music during Fiddle Camp Week.
  • Karen Axelrod Partner — Provides piano and accordion performance for English country dances at events organized by the Country Dancers of Rochester.
  • Luke Donforth Partner — Calls contra dances for events organized by the Country Dancers of Rochester.
  • Memorial Art Gallery Partner — Venue host for the ball and provider of free gallery admission to attendees
  • Missing Lynx Partner — Provides live music for contra dances, featuring Noah VanNorstrand, at events organized by the Country Dancers of Rochester.
  • Rachel Bell Partner — Provides accordion performance for English country dances at events organized by the Country Dancers of Rochester.
  • River Road Partner — Provides live music for contra dances organized by the Country Dancers of Rochester.
  • Rochester LGBTQ+ Together Partner — Co-sponsors the Pride Double Dance event.
  • Serendipity Partner — Music ensemble providing regular accompaniment for English country dance events
  • Serendipity Partner — Musical ensemble consisting of Barb Seppeler and Laurie Giroux-Gillman that regularly performs for dances organized by the group.
  • Sister Haggis Partner — Musical ensemble providing live music for English and contra dances.
  • Spindrift Partner — Local band providing live music for contra dance events.
  • Syracuse Country Dancers Partner — Collaborates with and refers members to events hosted by Syracuse Country Dancers, such as Mr. Fezziwig’s Ball and the Sun Assembly.
+ 1 more
strategies · 3

How they approach the work

Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.

  • Adaptive Event Design for Safety and Accessibility
    methodology: adaptive_event_management
    By adjusting event timing, operations, and protocols in response to seasonal, safety, and public health conditions, the organization increases accessibility and ensures safe participation because logistical flexibility reduces external barriers like nighttime driving risks or contagion concerns.
  • Cultural Preservation Through Participatory Education
    methodology: cultural_preservation_through_education
    By integrating preservation, study, teaching, and participatory enjoyment of traditional dance and music, the organization ensures cultural continuity and evolution because active engagement transforms static traditions into living practices that adapt across generations.
  • Inclusive Access Through Gender-Neutral and Caller-Led Facilitation
    methodology: inclusive_dance_facilitation
    By using caller-led instruction, gender-neutral roles, and not requiring pre-formed partnerships, the organization lowers barriers to entry and fosters inclusive participation because it removes structural and social gatekeeping that can exclude marginalized or less experienced individuals.