Transcending generational divides, language barriers, and cultures, the members of Folk Dance Canberra have created their own diverse community. The dance group has been active in Canberra for over 30 years, becoming formalised in 1994.  

With classes open to people of all abilities, ages, and cultural backgrounds they aim to foster an appreciation for traditional folk dance. For nearly two decades, Dutch dance teacher Andre van de Plas travelled from the Netherlands and around the world to learn more dances, stopping in Australia once a year for a weekend of workshops.

Other teachers travel from overseas or interstate to share their expertise, and during the pandemic, the group started to hold virtual workshops. Dance teacher Bec Lane says it was a great way to learn new dances without people having to travel across the globe.

“We try to be as authentic as possible. Obviously, things change and evolve, a bit like Chinese whispers, but we really try to get to who the teacher was, where the source was,” she says.

Bec is a dancer, teacher, and committee member with Folk Dance Canberra. She first discovered the community organisation when she wanted somewhere to spend some time for herself while raising three young children.

“I was just blown away by how amazing it was because it had such a variety of dances from so many cultures and so much variety of music and yet it was really accessible.”

Bec says she loved that you could still attend the class no matter what was going on physically; you could adapt the moves and it wasn’t too demanding. Coming from a dance and dance teaching background, Bec was eager to learn a dance form that was new to her.

After participating in the classes for a few years and an overseas hiatus, Bec returned to Canberra and FDC, training to become a qualified folk dance teacher. For nearly 10 years, Bec has been teaching with FDC, and one of her long-term students is daughter, Evie.

“It’s a really special thing to do this with your mum, or a parent or family member. It’s really cool how it is all these different generations,” says Evie.

Recently graduating high school, Evie has been dancing since she was a toddler, joining FDC in a class for kids aged four to seven. Evie says it is something special to have been able to grow up with the community, from people who would grandparent-aged to friendships of people of a similar age. One of her friendships has been with two Bulgarian sisters.  

“Their mum joined Folk Dance Canberra; she was looking for somewhere she could do Bulgarian dance. I think it was really special for her to have Folk Dance Canberra where she could do these Bulgarian dances that she knows,” says Evie.

Rather than having classes by region or culture, each is inclusive. Bec says they can be working on learning multiple dances at once, sometimes with dances from eight countries on the go. Some of the regions visited through the dances include France, Germany, Central America, Türkiye, Macedonia, and Bulgaria.

“When we were teaching children’s classes, we did quite a few from the Pacific. They really enjoyed all the clapping, rhythm, and the storytelling through your movements,” Bec says.

Although it is encouraged to join a class at the beginning of the term so you can stay on track with the group, people are accepted into the beginner class all year. According to Bec and Evie, it is a great way for older generations to not only be involved with a community but to keep their bodies active.

“For balance and coordination, there are studies showing that dances, especially folk dance because it’s so gentle, is great for that and also it is great for the brain, remembering steps and sequences,” Evie says.

Throughout the year, the FDC performs at cultural events such as Canberra’s National Multicultural Festival and Floriade. Before the pandemic, FDC dancers also performed at smaller community-based events, like Dutch fairs.

Even without the involvement of the greater community, the women say the experience within the group is something special.

“It’s something that’s really timeless. People have been dancing together for such a long time, and particularly in this way, it comes from village dance. It’s quite an amazing feeling, just being part of this group and holding hands in a circle together, moving to the music,” smiles Bec.

Find out more about FDC at folkdancecanberra.org.au

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