Step-A-Tune Dance Weekend
November 6 – 8, 2026
Step-a-tune Dance Weekend is a rare opportunity for intermediate to advanced percussive dancers—including cloggers and flatfooters—to dig deeper into their percussive dance practice, connect with fellow dancers, and be inspired to push their craft further.
The weekend offers 10+ hours of percussive dance instruction where we will engage in drills that build technical facility and expand musicality, explore improvisation, discuss pedagogical approaches, try on choreography and much more! Classes will be fast paced, with techniques drawn not only from clogging and flatfooting but also from a range of dance forms. We encourage participants to come with a work-in-progress choreography or a specific question in their dance practice for feedback and exploration.
The camp takes place at the Floyd Events Center at The Floyd EcoVillage. The facility features a beautiful and secluded setting on 75 private acres just a few miles from the Blue Ridge Parkway and the charming town center of Floyd. There is lodging onsite for families coming from farther away wanting to make a week of it. Camping, cabins, and bermed lodge rooms can be booked through the Floyd EcoVillage.
Instructors
GUEST PERFORMERS
About The Camp
Teachers
Location
The weekend takes place at the Floyd Events Center at Floyd EcoVillage, set on 75 private acres just off the Blue Ridge Parkway and a few miles from downtown Floyd, VA. Lodging is available through the EcoVillage, including camping, cabins, and lodge rooms—perfect for out-of-town guests and families turning the weekend into a retreat. Meal packages will be available through the Floyd Country Store Cafe.
The nearest airport is Roanoke, but several dancers will be driving from the D.C. area—carpooling is encouraged!
In addition to workshops at Floyd EcoVillage, the weekend includes a Saturday evening performance with Nic Gareiss & Simon Chrisman at The Floyd Country Store! You will receive a discount code to use for tickets if you wish to attend!
- The Friday Night Jamboree
- Saturday night performance at the Floyd Country Store (additional expense – discounted for Step-a-Tune participants)
- Sunday music jams
What to bring
- Leather-bottom shoes and tap shoes
- A choreography or dance question you’re working on
- Curiosity, focus, and a sense of community!
Tuition
Tuition for the weekend is $300. 50% of this fee will be due upon registration, with the remaining 50% to be paid 30 days prior to camp. If you want to book and pay the initial deposit offline via cash or check, please contact us BEFORE registering. See more on payment options below.
Scholarships are available through the Handmade Music School, Country Song and Dance Society, Bluegrass Pride, and other local sources. Please inquire if cost is a barrier. Click here to apply for a scholarship.
Payment Options
You are welcome to pay for Handmade Music School lessons, camps, workshops, and other events using credit card, cash, or check. Credit card payments may include a 3% processing fee by the credit card companies, and is the only option available in the ’self-booking’ method of our online registration system. To pay using cash or check, or with questions about payment options, please reach out to Leigh in our office. Call her at 540-745-2110 or email her at leigh@handmademusicschool.org.
CANCELLATION POLICY
- Registration fees are fully refundable if cancellation is made 30 days before the Step-A-Tune Dance Weekend (October 6, 2026).
- If cancellation is made after October 6, 2026 only 50% of the registration fee will be refunded.
- Once the program begins on November 6, 2026, there will be no refunds or make up credits issued.
Schedule
This sample schedule is from the 2025 Step-A-Tune Weekend. Stay Tuned for an updated 2026 schedule.
All classes are geared at intermediate / advanced level percussive dancers. Dance session topics to be determined.
Friday, November 6th
- 2 – 4pm: Check in at Floyd EcoVillage
- 4pm: Introductions
- 4:30 – 6pm: Dance session
- 6:30pm: Friday Night Jamboree at the Floyd Country Store
Saturday, November 7th
- 9 – 10:30am: Dance Session – Drills
- 10:45 – 12:15pm: Dance Session – Improvisation
- 12:15pm: Lunch
- 1:15 – 2:45pm: Dance Session – Masterclass with Nic Gareiss
- 3 – 4:30pm: Dance Session – Creating Choreography
- 4:45pm – 6:00pm: Dance Session – Present your choreography for feedback
- 7pm: Saturday night performance at the Floyd Country Store: featuring Simon Chrisman & Nic Gareiss
Sunday, November 8th
- 8:15 – 9:00am: Yoga
- 9:15am Group Photo
- 9:30 – 10:45am: Dance Session
- 11 – 12pm: Dance Session – Review & Reflect
- 12:30 – 2pm: Rachel Eddy Stringband Workshop and Nic Gareiss Master Class (additional expense)
- 1:30pm: Sunday Music Jam at the Floyd Country Store (dancers welcome!)
Lodging
Floyd Ecovillage
Our long-weekend camp is held at the Floyd EcoVillage with onsite lodging available at the Bermed Lodge and three wilderness cabins, as well as several RV sites and camp sites. Most lodging options at The EcoVillage are offered as full cabins and rooms. The Wilderness Cabins and Bermed Lodge rooms provide a comfortable setting for you and your friends or family, while the RV and camp sites offer an affordable option in the beautiful natural setting of the EcoVillage.
We’ve blocked out lodging for the weekend at the EcoVillage for participants. You can use the link below to view the room options offered at the EcoVillage, but they are flagged as “occupied” by our event. In order to discuss availability, you will need to call the booking agent.
TO RESERVE A ROOM: call the EcoVillage at (540) 745-4434 to reserve your room using the code #19852.
HOTEL FLOYD
Hotel Floyd is another wonderful option for lodging. Hotel Floyd offers travelers and visitors a restful retreat with all the modern amenities for a comfortable, pleasurable stay. Located in the heart of Floyd, only a short drive from the EcoVillage, the Hotel is only steps away from the Crooked Road, Virginia’s Musical Heritage Trail, and the charming shops, galleries and eateries that give the town of Floyd its unique down-home flavor. They have a variety of artfully decorated room styles & suites to serve your every need.
Visit their website for more information, or call them at (540) 745 – 4434 to learn more!
You can also use the following link to view the rooms we have reserved for Step-A-Tune attendees, and book directly online by clicking the link below.
Questions about lodging? Or anything else? Call us at (540) 745 – 2110 so we can help!