The Vanaver Caravan was established in 1972 by musician/composer Bill Vanaver and dancer/choreographer Livia Drapkin Vanaver. Their love for the world's diverse cultures and commitment to their art as well as to peace among nations, continue to inspire artists, students, teachers and audiences daily. Their down-home, high-spirited performances have been presented throughout the U.S., Europe and North Africa. Appearances at major festivals include: the Smithsonian American Folklife Festival, the Bienale de la Danse in Lyon, France, the Rudolstadt Festival in Germany, Harbourfront in Toronto, and the Sidmouth International Festival in England.

From percussive Appalachian clog dancing featured in their "Pastures of Plenty" tribute to songwriter Woody Guthrie, to Greek line dances, to reconstructions of works by modern dance pioneers Ted Shawn and Ruth St. Denis, to original choreography by Livia, with full orchestral accompaniment composed by Bill, The Vanaver Caravan weaves tapestries of dance and music with effortless skill and precision.

The Caravan has worked on many projects since their inception. Some of the most recent include their collaboration with Friendship Ambassador's Foundation, which brought the Company to work at the Balkan Peace and Reconciliation Conference in Romania and Bulgaria. In 2002 the Company created an arts and healing program for 9/11 victims that included workshops with children and adults and has now been conducted annually.

The Vanaver Caravan has also pioneered in-depth arts-in-education programs throughout the US for both public and private schools, often creating a curriculum in conjunction with teachers and administrators. and offers imaginative workshops, a Dance Institute and SummerDance intensive program. Equally at home in a symphony hall, an outdoor festival, in the classroom, school assembly, or at a conference, The Vanaver Caravan has captivated audiences worldwide with its celebration of American and International dance and music.

Board of Directors

Julien J. Studley
Marc R. Grossman, O.D., L.Ac.
Patrick Sciarratta
Philip Rose
Karen Marcus
Laura Prince
Livia Vanaver

Company Members

FOUNDERS

BILL VANAVER, Member International Dance Council, CID, (music arranger/performer/Artistic Director) Well known musician and composer has been playing to audiences throughout the world for the past 45 years. He is known for his stellar instrumental work on 5 string banjo as well a myriad of other folk instruments. With his vast knowledge of traditional song and musical styles, he has enlivened audiences at such venues as the Newport Folk Festival and the Philadelphia Folk Festival among others. Bill Vanaver is currently an adjunct professor of American and World Dance & Music at Bard College in Annandale-on Hudson, NY.

LIVIA DRAPKIN VANAVER, Member International Dance Council, CID, (Founder/Co-Artistic Director) For the past 36 yearsLivia has been traveling throughout the US and abroad with her musician/composer husband Bill Vanaver, and Company of extraordinary dancers and musicians, collecting and performing traditional dance and music from many cultures. They are acclaimed for utilizing traditional sources in the creation of original works and presenting them for audiences of all ages and backgrounds. Her committment to creating community through the vehicle of dance has lead her to work with Friendship Ambassadors Foundation in their Balkan Peace and Reconciliationproject in Eastern Europe and their program working with families of the victims of 9/11.

Ms. Vanaver holds a BFA in Dance from NYU School of the Arts (Tisch). For the past 28 years she has been on the cutting edge of arts-in-education programs throughout New York State. A leading authority on dance education, she has pioneered the exposure of world dance styles to schools. She is on the faculty of the Academy for the Love of Learning working closely with Aaron Stern in their Teacher Renewal Project. Livia teaches dance at Columbia University in the Graduate Theater Program. She is currently the director/coordinator of the Hudson Valley/Capital District Regional Learning and Leadership Network working with the Empire State Partnerships in this region.

Recently, the two have been honored with several prestigious awards including: the Association of Teaching Artist Distinguished Service to the Arts in Education, 2008; The Eistenddfod Award, 2007, for years of dedication and service to the practice and dissemination of Traditional folk song, music and dance; and the Art Times Cultural Achievement Award for enriching the quality of life through the arts.

DANCERS

EVITA ARCE is known for her endless energy, high-flying aerials and dynamic movement, Evita specializes in Charleston and Lindy Hop. Since her move to New York City she has performed at many of the city’s top venues, including Lincoln Center Plaza, The Waldorf Astoria, and The Rainbow Room. She dances for several other companies in styles of Modern, American Folk, Latin and Swing. Evita's choreography and partner work have earned her 1st and 2nd place in multiple contests. She has starred in musicals, appeared as a dancer in movies, commericials and recently competed on the Fox TV show “So You Think You Can Dance”. As an international dancer she has toured with Swing Un-ltd, featured in the Edinburough, Scotland Jazz Festival, and teaches/performs at the Cabarets of UK‚s Camp Savoy directed by Ryan Francois and Jenny Thomas. Evita currently teaches at Dance Manhattan and continues to dazzle audiences across the globe.

NATHAN BUGH is an expert in swing-era dances and styles. George Gee's Orchestra and the Harlem Renaissance Orchestra have featured him as a dancer and instructor. He has shared the stage with the Tulsa Philharmonic orchestra and served as coach of Oklahoma’s swing dance team, Perpetual Motion. Nathan boasts many 1st-4th place rankings in regional and national Lindy Hop and West Coast Swing competitions. A Julliard graduate, he never fails to apply his knowledge of music, composition and rhythm to his dance technique and teaching style.

ISABEL COTTINGHAM has had extensive ballet training including summer intensives with Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet and New York School of The Arts and attended The American Dance Festival where she studied modern dance. She has been dancing with The Company for three years. She teaches modern dance classes with the Institute.

EDWIN FION a native of Guatemala holds a degree in Arts
Management. Edwin has been dancing with The Company since September 2002. He is an authority on Latin American and Guatemalan dance. Edwin works with children teaching dance in arts in education residencies and is represented by Clear Talent Agency in New York City.

AMY FENTON-SHINE is an accomplished dancer specializing in clogging. She has toured throughout the United States and abroad with Fiddle Puppets, mesmerizing her audiences with quick footed, percussive dance. She has danced with The Vanaver Caravan since 1990.

TALLI JACKSON created the performance ensemble Simply Circus in 2004. In 2003, Talli joined the Vanaver Caravan Kids, and became a part of The Vanaver Caravan in 2005. Talli has attended the New York State Summer School for the Arts in Dance, The Vanaver Caravan's SummerDance, Summer Flight, the American Dance Festival, and Bates. In 2006 he attended the Alvin Ailey School on full fellowship and he is currently living and dancing in New York City.

MICHAEL JAGGER is a full time professional dancer in New York City. Specializing in swing dances from the 1920’s, 30’s and 40’s, he and his dance partner, Evita Arce perform all over Manhattan including hot spots like The Rainbow Room, The Waldorf Astoria and The Plaza at Lincoln Center. They have numerous TV appearances, including season 3 of FOX's, “So You Think You Can Dance”, where they made it to semi-finals in Las Vegas. As a teacher, Michael has traveled across the US and UK at various weekend workshops and swing dance camps. He and Evita jump back an forth between London as members of Ryan Francois and Jenny Thomas' company, Swing Un-Ltd. They have taught at Swing Out New Hampshire, Swing Out North West in Seattle and London’s Camp Savoy. Aside from swing, Michael studies different styles of hip-hop and is focused on Popping & Locking. He has danced with The Vanaver Caravan since the spring of 2007.

ANNA MAZO has been dancing since the age of four. A performer and faculty member of the Vanaver Caravan since 1998, she has participated in artist-in-residence programs throughout the Northeast. Anna has lived and studied flamenco dance in Granada, Spain with renowned dancer and teacher La Presy, and holds a Bachelor of Arts in Art Management and Dance from Emerson College. Anna is currently furthering her flamenco studies and teaching english in Sevilla, Spain.

DAVID PAKENHAM is also a champion rock climber and gymnast. He is currently Co-Director of the Trapeze Club at Stone Mountain in Tillson, NY. David is also a performer with Airealistic, and aerial dance company based in L.A. and has performed with them at the Crystal Cathedral and at the opening of the Stunt Awards. David has been dancing with the Company for 13 years.

RACHEL PRINCE started dancing with The Caravan when she was four. A member of the first Youth Dance Company, she taught, toured, and performed with the company until 1999when she was accepted in New York University's Gallatin School for Individualized Studies. After graduation, Rachel co-founded her own PR company. She currently works as a free lance event producer (www.aprinceamongthieves.com) and has recently dusted off her clogs to join The Vanaver Caravan on stage once again.  She also multitasks as their Director of Marketing. 

MIRANDA TEN BROEKE began dancing with the Vanaver Caravan at age five. In 2004, she and colleague, Isabel, founded a small company of young dancers, choreographing and performing original works in NYC and throughout the Hudson valley. She’s taught Movement and Theatre to hundreds and she enjoys working with children more than anything. She teaches Creative Movement for the Vanaver Caravan.

RAMONA STAFFELD is a founding member of Minnie’s Moochers. She has taught at The Vanaver Caravan’s SummerDance, Swingout, and in Singapore. She toured with Swing America in Japan. Ramona teaches at the Jeoffrey Ballet and completed a professional studies program at the Jose Limon Institute. Ramona danced in Naomi Lafrance's piece, Agora 2v, and won the world Lindy Hop championships in Stokholm. She is currently competing with World Champion swing team The Silver Shadows.

AMBER WIRTHMANN is the Director and on the faculty of The Vanaver Caravan Dance Institute. Amber has toured nationally and internationally with The Company as dance captain and rehearsal director. Amber has taught for the Summer Institute for the Gifted, at Vassar College. She also serves as Assistant Director of The Caravan Kids. Amber is the newly appointed Program Director of The Vanaver Caravan's SummerDance. She has been performing with The Company for the past 15 years.

ELIJAH VANAVER an original Caravan Kids member, is a graduate of Bard College, where he studied dance, painting and directing. Elijah holds degrees in Stage Combat and Fight Choreography. He recently appeared in the Human Chess Games and Robin Hood Scenes for the NY Renaissance Faire. He teaches Samurai Sword Form (Iaido), coaches a fencing club and performs with The Vanaver Caravan.

MUSICIANS

DAVID BERNZ (guitar, vocals) folksinger and multi-instrumentalist, has performed around the country as a solo artist and with the folk trio Stone Soup. Along the way, he has shared stages with many notable performers. Dave produced and released Pete Seeger's "Take it From Dr. King". When not picking with The Vanaver Caravan, David is on tour with his new project "O The Weavers" in tribute to the seminal folk quartet.

JIM BARBARO (guitar) has been singing, playing guitar, and writing songs since age 13. He studied classical guitar with the late Stanley Watson and jazz guitar with John Scofield and Paul Weiss. With his original jazz fusion band Xyphus he appeared on stage with Fleetwood Mac, Joe Farrell, Michael Urbaniak, The Fabulous Rhinestones, Jam Factory and others.

RUSTY BORIS (bass) performs music in a variety of American styles including jazz, folk, bluegrass, rock, funk, and blues. Rusty studied music at the Berkley College of Music and graduated from the Evergreen State College with a degree in Music Composition and studio production. Boris performs with Jay Mankita (singer), Barely Lace (acoustic Celtic/trance), No Brakes (Bluegrass), and as a jazz artist with his own trio and quartet.

MATT GORDON (dancer, fiddler and body percussionist – hambone) was a member of the Fiddle Puppets, a clogging group, and toured extensively throughout the United States, Canada, and the UK. With them, he began to explore the roots and offshoots of clogging: Irish step dancing, tap and South African boot dancing. Matt performed with The Vanaver Caravan in "Christmas Revels" and in "Pastures of Plenty" at Symphony Space.

AMY FRADON (vocals) began her career in the most vibrant days of the Woodstock music scene, singing and recording with performers such as Livingston Taylor, Maria Muldaur, Rory Block, Happy & Artie Traum, John Sebastian, Peter Yarrow and others. She has recorded six critically acclaimed albums of original music with partner, Leslie Ritter

JOHN KIRK (fiddle) is lead singer and a versatile instrumentalist on mandolin, guitar and banjo as well as fiddle. He travels the world and performs with his wife Trish Miller and their fiddle band, 'Quickstep'. In addition to his appearances with The Vanaver Caravan and The Susquehanna Stringband. He can be heard on TV and recording projects with Jay Ungar and other notable musicians. John has played with the Catskill Conservatory Chamber Players, at Carnegie Hall. With Walt Michael & Company, he appeared at Lincoln Center as well as at many prestigious festivals. The Dixie Chicks recorded his song, “Long Roads”. John and Trish live in Greenfield Center, NY. They have their own recordings and John has played on over one hundred recordings with other artists. In addition to performing, John teaches music at Bennington College in Vermont and at Skidmore College in Saratoga.

SARAH MILONOVICH has been playing the violin since she was four years old. In June 2001, Sara traveled to Mt. Airy, North Carolina with John Kirk & Trish Miller, where she competed in both the Bluegrass Fiddle and Folk Song contests, placing first and second, respectively. She continues to actively perform around the US and Europe as a solo artist and in various collaborations, having worked with artists such as Cathie Ryan, Richard Shindell, and Leslie Ritter and Scott Petito, and now The Vanaver Caravan.

MARK MURPHY (bass) is known throughout the States for his tasteful and yet driving bass playing in traditional and original acoustic music. He has toured and recorded in the U.S., Canada, The British Isles and Europe. Mark played back up for Guy Davis on Late Night with Conan O’Brian. He was also part of the cast for Boston Fancy, filmed for the National Archives.

FRANK ORSINI (fiddle) was a former member of Walt Michael & Co., with whom he toured internationally, and is a member of the dance band Spare Parts. He is a veteran of the recording studio having played on numerous recordings and he has appeared with Roy Hurd, Peggy Lynn, and Dan Duggan among many others. Frank is a premiere musician who adds beautiful nuances and subtleties to the music.

FODE SISSOKO (West African Dance & Drum) is an 8th generation Mandinka Griot from Senegal. A master on the Kora and Djembe, he is also a choreographer, has danced with the National Ballet of Senegal, and dances on stilts. Fode is the creator of Fakoli Dance and Drum, an organization devoted to promoting understanding through music, dance, drum and cultural exchange. He has been a member of TVC for 6 years.

TOBY STOVER (West African Dance & Drum) has been performing and touring with The Vanaver Caravan since 1978. A well-known piano player focusing on New England style country and dance music, she performs with Fennig's All Stars String Band and has appeared with other notables. Well versed in many ethnic dance styles including African dance, Toby also performs with Fakoli Dance and Drum.

MATTHEW T. TEICHNER is a theatre veteran with more than seventy productions to his credit as stage manager, director, and technical director. He served as stage manager and/or technical director for nearly sixty productions and has worked at the Empire State Performing Arts Center, Proctors Theater, Lake George Opera, Miami Opera, Union College, and most recently, Vassar College.

ANDY TIERSTEIN (fiddle) Composer Andy Teirsteins work is inspired by the rich and diverse folk roots of modern culture. A student of Leonard Bernstein, Henry Brant, and David Del Tredici, Teirstein writes music for the concert hall, film, theater, and dance. Teirstein has received numerous grants, awards and honors, including a Meet the Composer Choreographer/Composer Commission; three NEA Opera/Musical Theater Awards; Mary Flagler Cary Charitable Trust Awards; a New York Foundation for the Arts Fellowship; a MacDowell Fellowship; and numerous ASCAP awards. He is currently Associate Professor of Arts at New York University's Tisch School of the Arts.

SAM ZUCCHINI (Percussion) When not playing with the Vanaver Caravan internationally acclaimed performing and recording artist, Sam Zucchini, works with artists of all stripes, and travels the country, making music for kids of all ages with his award-winning band, "the Zucchini Brothers", and produces this trio's internationally syndicated radio show, "Live! at the Clubhouse".