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

Saturday, December 13 - Eugene, OR - calling, with The Nettles
Sunday, December 21 - Seattle, WA - English Tea Dance - playing fiddle, viol, and/or viola with Marni Rachmael (winds) and Brad Reynolds (piano, accordion), with Charlene Kern calling (NB: I believe Charlene calls with gendered role terms)
Saturday, January 3 - Portland, OR - special New Year's dance, calling with Shell Stowell, with Countercurrent and Peter & the Wolf Tones (George Penk, Jesse Schafer, and Heather Pinney)
Friday, January 9 - Seattle, WA - playing with Hummingbird, with Morna Leonard calling
Saturday, February 21 - Portland, OR - calling, with Campaign for Reel Time
Saturday, March 7 - Port Angeles, WA - calling, with band TBD
Friday, March 20 - Seattle, WA - calling, with Reindeer Cyclone (Melissa Coffey, Ruthie Carroll, and Ali Webb)
!! April 10-12, 2026 - Queer Contra Dance Camp (Aptos, CA) - calling, with Jeremy Korr, Forgery, and Audrey Jaber & Alex Cumming
April 12, 2006 - Hayward, CA - calling, with band TBD

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 (from Rochester NY)
September 20-22, 2024 - Chehalis Contra Dance Weekend (Mission, BC) - calling, with Will Mentor, Countercurrent, and the Syncopaths

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