About Us

Board

Katrina Hebb - Treasurer
Herman, NY 13652

Jim Williams - Secretary
Colton, NY 13625

Beth Robinson - President
Potsdam, NY 13676

John Danis
Rensselaer Falls, NY 13680

Nate Compton
Canton, NY 13617

Paul Cutter
Potsdam, NY 13676

Goals

What a Raquette will organize workshops and jam sessions with a focus on multigenerational participation. We will present performances featuring both local talent and guest artists that will educate, inspire, and entertain. We will seek opportunities to co-sponsor special events with other local organizations. In order to build a thriving music and dance community, What a Raquette believes it is imperative to involve children. Through school residencies, children of this region will experience a variety of dances, as well as be encouraged to make music based on oral traditions.

Mission

Northern New York has a rich heritage in traditional music and dance dating back to at least the early 1800’s. While participation in this heritage has waned in northern New York, there has been a strong revival of interest and activity in music and dance around the nation. What a Raquette Music and Dance is dedicated to reestablishing an active community in northern New York based on the evolving oral traditions of music and dance.

Music and dance are not stagnant traditions. Based in the Saint Lawrence River Valley of Northern New York, What a Raquette Music and Dance promotes preservation of the past, while also advocating openness to change. The interweaving of ideas from around the world continue to create new forms of music and dance. By accepting and incorporating a variety of influences, music and dance remain current and vital.