Meet Sue
Dance Caller
Since 2003, Sue Hulsether has traveled from coast to coast to lead dances in dance halls, schools, barns, and community centers. Her influence is wide, with dancers ranging from preschoolers to octogenarians, and in venues as diverse as the sidewalks of downtown Berkeley, school gyms in suburban St. Paul, street dances in rural Wisconsin, and summer camps in the mountains of Maryland. Her calling repertoire includes squares, contras, circle dances, longways whole-set dances, and play parties. And she dances with groups of all types, all ages, and all abilities.
Educator
In her 20 years of school residencies, Sue has danced with tens of thousands of school children. This artist-in-residence career grew out of the skills she gained from over a decade as an elementary music teacher. Now, she travels to shares her expertise as an educator and dance leader, presenting workshops and clinics for teachers.
Musician & More
A piano player since age seven, Sue is an accomplished musician who also plays guitar, ukulele, jawharp, spoons, and (as a perpetual beginner) accordion and banjo. When not traveling to call and dance, Sue finds time for the local community square dance, hosting house dances, and raising enough food to eat, share, and preserve for winter. She lives on a 20-acre farm in Wisconsin with her husband Steve and a crew of shy barn cats.
All this experience and wisdom was poured into Join Up Hands, Sue’s book of simple and accessible dances, and the companion album of old-timey dance-length tracks.
