Caller Coaches

2024

 

 
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Ken ritucci

Ken has been calling for 48 years and has been teaching callers since 1983. Since the early 90’s, Ken has conducted some of the most successful Callers Schools in the country. He travels all over the United States as well as Europe and Canada, calling and conducting callers Schools and Clinics. He has taught hundreds of callers how to call and has helped them tremendously with their calling careers. Ken calls through the C3B Level and he is knowledgeable in all aspects of calling. Ken is a member of CALLERLAB and was Chairman of Board from 2019-2021. Ken is currently the Chairman of the Accredited Caller Coach Committee. Ken is an Accredited Caller Coach.

TONY OXENDINE

Tony Oxendine One of the most popular callers in the world, Tony began calling in 1974 and fresh out of college became a full-time caller in 1980.  He has called in all 50 states and over a dozen foreign countries.  He has been the featured caller at festivals and conventions worldwide.  

In 1976, Tony recorded his first square dance record on Ranch House Records.  In 1986, he and Jerry Story founded Royal Records.  Royal Records quickly became one of the largest record companies in the square dance field.  Royal Records continues to be a pioneer in the field of square dance music.  Tony has received two Gold Records for outstanding sales – “Pretty Woman” on Ranch House Records and “The Square Dance Is On” on Lou Mac Records.

Tony has been an accredited member of CALLERLAB since 1978.  He has served on and chaired numerous committees.  He has served on the Board of Governors and on the Executive Board of Governors of CALLERLAB.  He was Chairman of the Board of CALLERLAB from 1994 - 1996.  In 2000, Tony was presented with the Milestone Award – CALLERLAB’S highest honor.

Tony became an accredited Caller Coach in 1996.  Since that time he has conducted or taught in several schools each year and presents at weekend and one day seminars in his travels.  He has developed skills in the presentation of singing calls and showmanship that are unmatched.  Your personal presentations can surely benefit from Tony’s experience.

GUEST INSTRUCTORS FOR 2024: Tony Oxendine, Ted Lizotte, Bill Harrison and Steve Turner.

TED LIZOTTE

Ted Lizotte and his wife Shelly make their home in Manchester, New

Hampshire. Ted learned to square dance in 1988 and began calling that

same year. He started teaching classes in 1990 and has taught beginner

classes every year since. In 1997, Ted was asked to be the club caller for

Tech Squares of MIT and is still teaching their 12-week Crash Course

today. He calls currently calls beginners through C1.

 

In 2017 Ted started his own music label and is the owner/producer of

Throw Back Tunes and co-owns produces TOTL Recordings with Tony

Oxendine. Ted has also been featured on songs for Arrowhead, Chic, EGO

Recordings, Royal Records.

 

In early 2020, Ted earned his Accredited Caller Coach designation from

CALLERLAB, and as of 2022, he serves on the Board of Governors and

Executive Committee as its Chair-Elect. Ted has been featured at

numerous festivals and weekends both nationally and internationally and is

well known for his smooth flowing choreography and music usage.

STEVE TURNER

1967 Started Square Dancing in England

1968 Immigrating to Perth Western Australia. Started calling

1969 formed the first club called Shanondoahs with beginner classes twice a week

1973 Started a Plus club,

1982 Round Dance club was formed and this new hobby had become 5 nights per week.

1970-80 had a demonstration dance team which performed in public promoting Square Dancing

1985 3 week calling tour through the States of USA

1990 formed an Advanced club

1992 became a full-time Caller calling for up to 8 clubs per week and running a Record and Tape business

1995 formed their own Australian Record Label “AUSSIE TEMPOS” and DOWN UNDER RECEORDS

1998 Called fulltime at the Square Dance Centre for 5yrs Buderim QLD

2000 5 month calling tour in 8 counties around the world

2018 Currently calling Mainstream/PlusAdvanced

2019 Celebrating 50 years calling

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 BILL HARRISON

Bill was born and raised in the Baltimore, Maryland area. His interest in Square and Round dancing began at the age of 7. After dancing for a number of years, it became more apparent that he would someday like a try at calling. In 1970 he began to start calling, and then attended a summer caller’s school conducted by Mac Parker. This began a career in calling. Bill attended many seminars and colleges: to name a few, Earl Johnston’s and Al Brundage’s in New Hampshire; Mac Parker’s caller school; and Cal Golden’s in Arkansas (for which Bill received a scholarship to attend).

A dream came true in 1985. This was the year he decided to make calling his full time profession.

Bill enjoys home life with his wife Judy and two daughters Cynthia and Elizabeth. Cindy and Jon have a son and daughter, while Elizabeth and JD have a daughter.

Bill maintains a full program at home that includes Aqua Squares in Southern Maryland, Boomerangs Teaching Council in Virginia, Dixie Stars in Virginia, Galaxy Stars in Baltimore Maryland, Old Dominion Squares Virginia and Swinging Aces in Baltimore Maryland. These clubs are from Mainstream Thru C1. Currently he has been teaching new dancers in conjunction with a teaching council using the Condensed Teach Method, and the same for the club in Southern Maryland.