Jaap Leegwater's program

Jaap Leegwater (with Jan Wollring)

Jaap is known worldwide for his fun teaching and having introduced dances including Karamfil, Dobrudžanska Pandela, and Mari Marijko. He began his dance career in The Netherlands, where he earned one of his degrees in international folk dance, specializing in Bulgarian folk dance and choreography. Jaap studied at the State Choreographer’s school in Sofia and Plovdiv, living there for two years; he regularly returns to Bulgaria to update his studies and make new recordings. Accompanying Jaap was accordionist Jan Wollring, whose music and band also appear on several of Jaap's recordings and teaching CDs. They were aided for their live online presentation by Tijn Boissevain, a passionate Balkan dancer, who provides video and audio support. Jaap danced a selection of his Golden Oldies, then taught one newer dance, Varnensko Horo, which had its debut at Fermilab’s Barn when he visited Fermilab International Folk Dancing in 2012, but is still relatively new to the international folk dance world.

Jaap and Jan appeared for a bonus presentation to lead Golden Oldies and teach one new dance Saturday at 12 p.m. CT.

The package of the recorded music, song texts, and dance notes, plus the video for Varnensko Horo only was available for a $15 donation to June Camp.

His program included:

• Sborinka

• Karakačansko Horo

• Melnik (Cveta Moma)

• Rusi Kosi

• Kostadino Mili Sino (Kalajdžisko)

• Račenica Na Horo

• Minka

• Povlekana

• Varnensko Horo

• Mari Marijko