In late December, a holiday limbo lingers between gift exchanges and the turning of a calendar page. While some are twining away string lights, others migrate to the John C. Campbell Folk School for Winter Dance Week (WDW). From sold-out performances to fully booked classes, people of all interest and experience journey from far and wide to take to the dance floor.

From the final week of the year through New Year’s Day, WDW brings expression and community to campus as folks groove and learn together.

Inside the Keith House Community Room, jubilant dancers escaped winter’s chill, swinging and turning beneath warm lights and handmade wreaths. Skirts twirled, heels hit the floor, and the once-tranquil valley transformed into a weeklong Appalachian jubilee.

Hands joined and dresses spun as smiles spread across the room, guided by the caller’s voice and the band’s steady rhythm.

Among the ensemble of spinning feet and turning heads was Garrett Fondoules, a hiker, blogger and nature enthusiast. Going on 13 years of dancing at the Folk School, Fondoules first meandered onto campus while hiking the Appalachian Trail (AT) over a decade ago.

“I got into Contra dancing in 2011; I came up with this idea for my thru hike to map out dances near the trail and hitchhike,” Fondoules said. “Looking up the old contra dance website and mapping out the ones in North Carolina, that’s when the Folk School first came onto my radar. I wound up hitchhiking down from the Nantahala Outdoor Center to go to my first dance.”

This year, WDW welcomed a record number of participants, along with three bands and callers ready to guide folks through American contras, squares and English Country Dances. Each morning, “Wake Up Contras,” and Morningsong shook away any winter weariness, setting the tempo for the days ahead.

“I remember hitchhiking down to the school and everything was green and growing. There were bluebirds everywhere, flowers coming. It was actually spring,” Fondoules said. “In and off the AT, my first impression is coming from the still-sleeping woods high up on the ridge to the life of spring having started showing up.”

In the mornings, Claire Takemori called the dances as ContraForce carried the tune, warming up folks for their week of excitement. Rays of winter sunlight streamed through the windows of the Community Room as Fondoules and other participants mastered new steps, adapting and improving together with each challenge.

“Getting to feel music so differently through its involvement with dance, with live music played right in front of you, by folks you know—it totally transformed what music was to me.”

“Coming back to spend time at the Folk School and the Southern Appalachians and seeing some of the folks again: I build that feeling of community,” Fondoules added.

From old-time squares to late-night parties, participants enjoyed a wide range of dances throughout the week, learning about their history and origin along the way. Among the dancers was Kerry Burriss. For her, each visit to the Folk School is both a metaphorical and literal gift, one she has received from her generous stepmother.

“Both of the times I’ve been to the Folk School. It was within one month, and both were gifts,” Burriss said. “She signed me up, and when I went to that dance weekend, I came home, just raving about the most wonderful time. I felt like I just got back in touch with my hippie roots. I’m 54 years old and it was it was like a new beginning.”

Burriss attended Traditional Group Dance Weekend in November 2025 and had such a memorable time, her stepmother soon gifted her a trip to WDW. As she twisted and turned into the tunes, Burriss felt her nervousness evolve into excitement and familiarity.

“There’s a different level you get on with people very quickly when you do this type of staying together, learning together, eating together,” Burriss said. “I just learned how this community is so gracious, kind, helpful, not only the steps, but just learning, remembering how we’re supposed to be as humans.”

The music of string bands reverberated through the Keith House rafters as partners were swapped or drawn into larger formations. No matter the number of people or the pace of the tune, the group moved in unison, gently guiding one another along the wooden floor.

“I’m not a graceful, elegant person, but I felt lovely, and I felt feminine, and I felt free and fluid,” Burriss said.

When students needed a rest, coffee breaks and tea times offered moments to recuperate. As the week unfolded, winter dancers shared family-style meals, attended concerts and sang songs, finding fellowship both in and outside the classroom.

“As a person who comes alone, you don’t feel as though you’re left out,” Burriss said. “After the first couple of dances, I finally just raised my hand and someone would come and snatch me up quickly, knowing I needed a partner and that I probably needed a little extra help”

Community and synchronicity flowed through the folk tunes and the steady stomp of feet, wrapping the room in musical unity. At weeks end, everyone gathered for a final evening shuffle and a goodnight song, sending one another home with a sense of serenity and compassion.

“There are different types of connections, communities and activities you can start alone, but at the John C. Campbell Folk School, you don’t end alone,” Burriss said.