Audrey Jaber playing fiddle. Photo by Michael Eskin.
Country Dance & Song Society > Programs > Online Workshops > Sounding the Change: Innovation in English Country Dance Music in America

Sounding the Change: Innovation in English Country Dance Music in America

With Audrey Leigh Jaber

Thursday, February 26, 2026

Is English country dance music in the US still “English,” or has innovation always been the point? Join beloved dance fiddler (and our membership coordinator!) Audrey Jaber for this special presentation of her recent master’s dissertation to find out!

This program will dive into how American ECD musicians have continually reshaped the sound of English dance tunes, revealing a tradition that survives not by preservation alone, but by creative change that gets us dancing. Come enjoy learning and listening!

This program is free; registration is required. You will receive a link to join the Zoom meeting just after you complete the registration form. This workshop will be recorded and available to view after.

Audrey Jaber

Audrey Jaber playing fiddle. Photo by Michael Eskin.

You know Audrey Jaber (Knuth) is performing if the room is buzzing at a higher level. Her fiddling, featured in bands including The Free Raisins, The Gaslight Tinkers, Audacious (with Larry Unger), and Wake Up Robin, has electrified dance and concert halls across the US and Europe. Hailing from Honolulu and now living in California, she cut her folk teeth in the Boston area, attending Berklee College of Music and spending years exploring the thriving New England folk scene.

Audrey’s fiddle playing is rhythmically lively and spontaneous; she’s guaranteed to get you up and dancing. She specializes in English dance, New England, celtic, and old-time tunes.

You might also have taken a workshop with Audrey, as she’s been on staff at various camps including CDSS English Dance Week at Pinewoods, Ashokan Northern Week, BACDS American Week, and Halsway Manor.