I started modern square dancing in 1983, when I was 25 years old. I met John at work and he invited me to a demo he was doing with a Club he called for in Cobourg, Ontario. That was in the summer.  I went and had such a great time that in the Fall, I joined the "Lakeshore Waves" modern square dance club and haven't looked back since.

When we moved to Ottawa in 1985, I quickly learned as much as I could and was dancing Challenge (C1) before too long. We got busier with Modern Square Dancing and soon John was calling 5 nights a week!  We wouldn't do it if we didn't love it.

In 1997, John bought a singing call called "I Love You Honey" (old Patsy Cline country classic). The main line in the song is "I love you honey, I love your money, but most of all, I love your automobile." Well, it just made sense that I should sing the words to that song!  It soon became quite popular in the Ottawa area, and we often got requests to do it. As well, people began telling me, "You have such a nice singing voice, you should learn to call!"

I was not interested in calling, but then, in the summer of 2001, John and I decided to run an Instructors' Clinic. We believe that the area needs more Callers, and someone had to take the initiative to get dancers interested in calling. This clinic would cover the very basics of calling and give interested dancers the chance to see if calling might be for them. I decided that I would sit in as a student, as well as help teach, just to see what would happen. Well, it turns out that I didn't do too badly, so I made up my mind to pursue calling and see where it would take me.

That was 11 years ago, and I've been calling modern square dancing regularly since then.  I still am often told that I have a nice singing voice, and some of the songs I like to call to include "All That Jazz", "I Will Survive", "Hey Soul Sister", and many more.

I currently call for:

• Meri Squares, as the teacher for their new dancers. We dance Tuesday nights (see Meri Squares page for more info). 
• "Wendy's Elegant Eights" is my own Club; I am teaching Mainstream on Friday afternoons (see WEE page for more information). 
• As part of Wendy's Elegant Eights, on January 19, I am starting a New Dancer Class on Thursday nights.  More information can be found here. 
• For the January-April 2012 season, I am the Caller for Charmin' Promenaders, a Plus Club. 

I also currently have 2 casual groups that get together for easy MSD, once a month.  One is private, but one is open to anyone interested in attending.  No experience is necessary - it's just a time to kick up your heels and give MSD a try.  More information can be found here.

"Party Nights" are really special, and I particularly love doing these events.  This is where a group has decided that they want square dancing as part of their evening social, so I go in and teach them a few moves and we dance for an hour and a half or two hours.  I've done office Christmas Parties, fundraising events, Church groups, BIrthday / Anniversary / Wedding Parties, family and church picnics, Girl Scouts, series of classes in a local High School, a PD Day dance for teachers, and many more.  There is no limit to reasons or opportunities to try square dancing.  If it sounds like something you'd like to try, contact me! I'd love to tell you more about it.

I enjoy what I'm doing, but more than the enjoyment I get out of it for myself, it is such a thrill to see people square dancing and having fun doing it!

Contact me to find out more about where and when Modern Square Dancing is going on in your area.

October 15, 2011

Comment from the organizer of a women's retreat, where I called a dance for 80 women on Saturday night:

Thanks again Wendy.  Many women told me they were disappointed when they found out they were going to square dance, but by the end they were having a blast... they want to do it again.  I knew the women would love it, so thanks for making it so much fun for everyone.

R

July 2011

From: david
To: wendyv@sympatico.ca

...Your Calling is in a category by itself. ...

From: wendy
To: david

I DO wonder why my "calling is in a category by itself" - because I'm female, I suppose, and therefore cannot be compared to the guys [that called last night]? I'm okay with that! :-)

From: david
To: wendy

April 2, 2011

Again I would like to thank you for such an enjoyable evening.

March 2011

Hi, Wendy,

I had hoped to talk to you last night, but every time I was about to do so, somebody else beat me to it.  Anyway, I just wanted to tell you that we were sorry that we were unable to attend your DBD Mainstream last Saturday.  We had planned to be there but, unfortunately, something came up on Saturday morning which resulted in our having to change our plans for that day.  We heard that attendance at this session was poor but I’m sure you did your best to challenge everyone who did make it.  As we have mentioned to you before, your emphasis on DBD has made things much easier for us at the Plus level.  Even last night, your previous instruction came in handy as we were able to do Spin Chain the Gears from any position while some others in our square were really struggling.  Thanks for being a caller on the DBD bandwagon well before many other local callers.

M & N

January 2011

I don't recall the specific date, but I got a phone call one Saturday night.  I recognized the name - a couple whose daughter got married last summer.  I did a square dance for them, as part of the reception.  Well, this phone call was: "Our other daughter is getting married this summer.  They have a date in mind but want to make sure you are available to call for their wedding party before confirming the date."  :-)

Two weeks later, I got another phone call.  "Hi.  We met at [so-and-so's] wedding last summer, and now we're getting married.  Are you available to call for our wedding party on July 23?"

Yes, I'm available for both weddings.  What fun!

Wendy

April 12, 2010

Hi Wendy,

I am just sitting at the computer and reflecting on the year of square dancing and ... I got to thinking that I should thank you for your tireless efforts to improve the Square dancing scene in Ottawa by keeping us all up to date on the world ''outside'' our bubble.  I personally owe you a debt of gratitude for your helpful constructive observations regarding my calling and choreography. eg. keeping my non microphone hand still!  Every time I call now, even in the basement to my cat, I think of your comment.  You have been very kind and generous with your time and efforts to the new callers and for this, and your continuing enthusiasm, I thank you!

Yours sincerely 
Dave.

March 29, 2010

After calling at the CALLERLAB Canadian Callers dance, I got numerous compliments on my calling.  Here are a few comments:

"You did a great job.  Your choreography flowed beautifully."  K.R.

"You called "Grand Square" right on the beat.  It's nice to hear a caller do it right."  R.M.

"I'm mentoring 2 new callers and have told them that they need to aspire to be as good as you."  E.F.

"You didn't disappoint me.  You were awesome."  P.P.

"You really were amazing tonight. I'm so impressed by you. You set the standard."  D.F.

December 14, 2009

I haven't seen you since the summer Plus teach and I have been wanting to tell you that you taught us well !!  It must have been frustrating at times with so many new students and it took some us awhile to "digest" it all.  But you gave us a good solid base, your explanations of the moves were clear and concise - and the rest was up to us, practice, practice, practice. I was able to start right in at <Club> in September and fit right in, along with several others that took your Plus Teach.  So, just want to take this opportunity to say a big THANKS, and let you know that your first Plus teaching experience was a success.
Bye for now,  Happy Holidays,            
DD

May 23, 2008 - Ottawa, ON

Hello Wendy, We were dancing with Andy last night and I was telling the people there how grateful I was that I had been dancing with you for the last year. Greg said that he thought you would be pleased to hear that. Indeed!, so, here I am Wendy to tell you that your teaching made it possible for Pierre and I to enjoy so much dancing with Andy. No problem for us to do Recycle from different positions, Scoot Back, etc. The pleasure we have with Mainstream now, we owe  to your excellent teaching. 

A big thank you from the heart from both of us for a most useful and pleasant year.  We wish you a very good summer, 

ML

December 8, 2007, Ottawa, ON

Hi Wendy and John,

I just wanted to send you a quick e-mail to Thank you very much for Saturday night.  You were a GREAT success.  Everyone is still talking about the fun time they had “Square Dancing”.  You exceeded their expectations as most thought it might be a big bore!!!

We will likely get you and John again next year for more fun.

Take care,

LL

(Follow up - it took longer than "next year", but we finally got the call to do another party for LL.  She said her friends kept asking her when she was going to arrange another dance.  April 2, 2011 we'll be dancing up a storm for LL and up to 200 of her friends!  WV)

September 28, 2007, Summerside, PEI

Hi Wendy

We were really pleased with the evening we had with you and John.  We are still hearing favourable comments about the great night of dancing and laments from people who missed the evening but heard about it after.  We were in Charlottetown Saturday night for their Spud Island Twirl evening, and it was relayed to me there that one couple that visited us from New Brunswick had said it was the best night of dancing they ever experienced!  What more could we have asked for.

As for future dances, let us know if you are coming to PEI, and we can pass it along to the “Presidents” at that time, and encourage them to have you call for us again.

Best regards

Lloyd