|
Bruce Mitchell
|
|
CLICK AN IMAGE FOR LARGER VIEW
Bruce Mitchell stated folk dancing in 1951 at the age of 16 as part of a folk dancing family in Stockton. He first attended his first Stockton Folk Dance Camp in 1952.
In July of 1955, as a teen-ager, Bruce was one of the first youngsters to win a scholarship to the California Stockton Folk Dance Camp as a representative of the Stockton Council of the Folk Dance Federation of California. The scholarship was presented by Millie von Konsky, who was chairing the junior scholarship committee that year. Bruce had already been teaching folk dancing and exhibited a keen interest in the folk dance movement.
Bruce was the director of the Camtia Dance Ensemble of Sacramento since 1960 and was the director of the Seljan Dance Ensemble for three years. Extending his folk experience, Bruce made three trips at the invitation of Chang Ching-shan to Taiwan and Hong Kong as a guest instructor of international dance.
Bruce worked for 38 years as an Educator and Principal in the Rio Linda Union School District. Leanne was also an Educator and Principal at RLUSD, where they met and eventually married in August of 1982. Bruce and Leanne were both highly respected in their work community, and generous and loving individuals that placed education and students as top priority.
Bruce continued to be active in the Folk Dance Federation of California, and in 1968, he became its president, serving for two years.
He was married to Virginia and they have a son, Chris.
In 1955, Bruce became a member of the Stockton Camp Committee. He took over as its director from Jack McKay in 1967. Bruce was on the Board of Trustees and was president of the National Folk Organization (NFO).
Bruce passed away on October 2, 2021.
Dances Bruce has taught include
Alunelul ca la Gorj,
Amos Moses,
Arap,
Bossa Nova Mixer,
Bučimiš,
Četvorka,
Ćiro,
Continental Hustle,
Cotton-Eyed Joe,
Cumberland Square,
Dînga,
Dobre Stara Dni (Good Old Days),
El Carnavalito,
Gustav's Skoal,
Hitch Hiker,
Hustle,
Iu Hu,
Ivanice,
Jianul,
Lipa ma Marýca,
Maple Leaf Rag,
Mayim,
New York Hustle,
Pata Pata,
Popcorn,
Prigorska Polka,
Ruby Baby,
Sedi donka,
Seven Jumps,
Sîrba Dogarilor,
Slap Slap,
Snoopy,
Strumička petorka,
Twelve Step,
Ţupa,
and
Yenka.