Patty Gehring writes:

I started folk dancing 35 years ago, joining my first recreational group (MVFD) and taking a college class (WSU). I followed that with several years of dance performance in three local ethnic groups. All of this in the Dayton, Ohio area. Over the years, I picked up a small amount of dumbek instruction and about a decade of Eastern European, a Capella, performance singing in a small group (8-12 people).

I have produced a free Introduction to International Folk Dancing for the novice video series and put it up on YouTube. It is my hope that this basic course can help increase number of members of the International Folk Dance community. It is not fancy and the longest video is 6.5 minutes. Each video includes links to various information sources to help the viewers find a group to meet with in person.

The video course includes 16 dances: A Romanian Hora, a Pravo Horo, Långdans från Sollerön, Trâgnala Rumjana, Ajde Lepa Maro, Bufčansko, Koftos Horos, Kiskanásztánc, a Čoček, Ambee Dageets, Tin, Tin, Tini Mini Hanim, a Devatorka, Čiro, Bannielou Lambaol, and a Lesnoto.

Each video includes concepts, tips, and terms: hand hold, arm position, grapevine, head of line, etc. I tried to include as many basic concepts as possible.

See playlist of videos here.