Matt's Biography
I started to take square dancing lessons when I was 11 years old. I originally started
with my grandmother in West Springfield, MA. While dancing for about 10 months, I started
to think, hey I should become a caller. I love to sing, and I like that with calling you can give
dancers instructions on what to do, and they will actually do it! In January of 2006
I completed my first square dance singing call at a round dance lesson in East Hartford, CT.
Steve Garrett was the teacher of these round dance lessons at the time. He helped me along with
my first days of calling. He was the one that, I guess you could say "initiated" my calling career.
He also got me my first calling date at a real club.
I called my first dance in July of 2006, it was with another caller, Dave Smith. It was
a 4th of July Cookout Dance, which is now becoming an annual event. The day went well
as for my calling that day, I was rusty, but I did get through it! :)
I attended my first square dance callers school in October of 2006. The instructors
were Ken Ritucci, Norm Poisson, Ed Foote, and Andy Shore. I learned a lot from this school
including timing, rhythm, music selection, and more. It helps you become a better caller
I would recommend this school to anyone who has any little bit of interest in becoming a caller.
I am now 14 years old, more calling dates have come, and gone. Overall calling is
a great experience for me. It's fun, and you also meet some great people in the activity.
There are many people who have helped me, and are still helping me become a better caller.
I would like thank Steve Garrett and Ken Ritucci and many many others,
as these are the people who have helped me along with
my calling career through the beginning to the present. Thank you! :)
Happy dancing, and I'll see you in a square
- Matt