Elaine Davis
I started square dancing in 1968, at a very tender age, with Eric Wendell’s Wheeling 8’s, where I danced for over 10 years.
I moved away from Brisbane in 1980 and lost touch with square dancing for nearly 30 years. During my hiatus from square dancing I was heavily involved in singing in old-time dance, country music and rock ‘n’ roll bands.
When I married my husband Rob, I thought: “what a great opportunity to return to square dancing”; so I dragged him (kicking and screaming) to EZ Squares in Caboolture, where he soon learned to love it as much as I do.
Glenn Wilson suggested I enter the Callers Competition in 2010 and after winning that I decided to turn my attention to learning the art of calling, which I soon realised wasn’t as easy as just singing a song, far from it.
I have been blessed with some excellent mentors, here in Queensland, who have all been very willing to help me along my journey.
Last year I attended Brian Hotchkies’ 5-day callers school which, to me, was a window into another dimension (I’m still trying to get in the door).
At Present I run a workshop group every fortnight where I mainly hoedown basic, mainstream and plus with the occasional singing call to give the dancers a rest.
I do guest calls at EZ Squares (Caboolture), Lighthouse Squares (Caloundra), Bribie Island Squares (Bribie Island), Northside Promenaders (Zillmere) and Suncoasters (Buderim) on a regular basis. I have done a full night as guest caller at Logan City Square Dancers on two occasions and called at 4 QCA Gala Dances and 3 Qld State Conventions .
I was an avid horse rider and I still keep my hand in but these days I pat more than ride, we’re both getting old.
I love everything about Square Dancing (especially the suppers) and I dance 4 to 6 times a week. I also play guitar and keyboard and sometimes create my own square dance backing tracks. I am a member of the Qld Callers Association and Australian Callers Federation.
I moved away from Brisbane in 1980 and lost touch with square dancing for nearly 30 years. During my hiatus from square dancing I was heavily involved in singing in old-time dance, country music and rock ‘n’ roll bands.
When I married my husband Rob, I thought: “what a great opportunity to return to square dancing”; so I dragged him (kicking and screaming) to EZ Squares in Caboolture, where he soon learned to love it as much as I do.
Glenn Wilson suggested I enter the Callers Competition in 2010 and after winning that I decided to turn my attention to learning the art of calling, which I soon realised wasn’t as easy as just singing a song, far from it.
I have been blessed with some excellent mentors, here in Queensland, who have all been very willing to help me along my journey.
Last year I attended Brian Hotchkies’ 5-day callers school which, to me, was a window into another dimension (I’m still trying to get in the door).
At Present I run a workshop group every fortnight where I mainly hoedown basic, mainstream and plus with the occasional singing call to give the dancers a rest.
I do guest calls at EZ Squares (Caboolture), Lighthouse Squares (Caloundra), Bribie Island Squares (Bribie Island), Northside Promenaders (Zillmere) and Suncoasters (Buderim) on a regular basis. I have done a full night as guest caller at Logan City Square Dancers on two occasions and called at 4 QCA Gala Dances and 3 Qld State Conventions .
I was an avid horse rider and I still keep my hand in but these days I pat more than ride, we’re both getting old.
I love everything about Square Dancing (especially the suppers) and I dance 4 to 6 times a week. I also play guitar and keyboard and sometimes create my own square dance backing tracks. I am a member of the Qld Callers Association and Australian Callers Federation.
