Photo of Koren, a white woman with long curly brown hair, smiling and holding a treble viola da gamba. Photo by John Parejko.

Koren A. Wake

Contra Dance Caller - Fiddle - Treble Viola da Gamba

Koren Wake has been dancing, loving, and obsessing about contra since she was a child. Originally from New England, she spent decades analyzing the art and flow of contra and developing a deep understanding of the dance before she finally picked up a microphone in Seattle, where she is now based. She quickly rose to prominence in the Pacific Northwest and beyond, charming bands and dance communities with her reassuring voice and clear communication. She loves nothing more than to help dancers discover the patterns and connections of well-crafted choreography. Koren's primary goal as a caller is to combine exquisite dance selection with clear and accessible teaching in order to bring dancers of all skill levels together on the floor.

Koren calls for contra dance series, weekends, special events, and private parties.

Koren also plays fiddle, viola, and viol (viola da gamba) for English and contra dances, as a member of Hummingbird and in other combinations.

Photo of Koren, a white woman with long curly brown hair, wearing a brown hand-knit sweater and smiling at the camera. Photo by John Parejko.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Wednesday, April 8 - San Francisco, CA - calling, with Audrey Jaber & Alex Cumming
!! April 10-12, 2026 - Queer Contra Dance Camp (Aptos, CA) - calling, with Jeremy Korr, Forgery, and Audrey Jaber & Alex Cumming
Sunday, April 12, 2026 - Hayward, CA - calling, with Audrey Jaber & Alex Cumming
Tuesday, April 28, 2026 - Seattle, WA - English Country Dance - playing viol and viola with John Parejko (fiddle) and Ali Webb (piano), with Rachel Pusey and Dilip Sequeira calling (gender neutral)
!! May 22-25, 2026 - Northwest Folklife Festival (Seattle, WA) - calling, with Raven & Goose, schedule TBD
Saturday, June 27, 2026 - Portland, OR - calling, with Odd Sock
Saturday, September 12, 2026 - Portland, OR - calling, with band TBD
Wednesday, September 23, 2026 - San Francisco, CA - calling, with The Nettles
Friday, September 25, 2026 - Santa Cruz, CA - calling, with The Nettles
Saturday, September 26, 2026 - Palo Alto, CA - calling, with The Nettles
Sunday, September 27, 2026 - Hayward, CA - calling, with The Nettles
!! February 12-14, 2027 - Corvallis Contra Dance Weekend (Corvallis, OR) - calling, with Adina Gordon, River Road, and the Dam Beavers

PAST DANCE WEEKENDS

November 6-8, 2025 - Dance in the Desert Dance Weekend (Oracle, AZ) - calling, with Steve Zakon-Anderson, The Free Raisins, and the Faux Paws
September 19-21, 2025 - Chehalis Contra Dance Weekend (Mission, BC) - calling, with Jeremy Korr, Joyride, and The Free Raisins
January 24-26, 2025 - Wintergreen Dance Weekend (Bozeman, MT) - calling, with Gaye Fifer, Turnip the Beet, and Northern Aire
November 8-10, 2024 - Fire Ant Frolic Dance Weekend (Austin, TX) - calling, with Rich Goss, and Lake Effect
September 20-22, 2024 - Chehalis Contra Dance Weekend (Mission, BC) - calling, with Will Mentor, Countercurrent, and the Syncopaths

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