DANCING HISTORY
Thomas Baird has taught Historical Dance for over 35 years. In master classes at The Juilliard School, Mannes School of Music, Manhattan School of Music and Purchase College, as well as his open classes in New York City, he teaches Baroque Dance technique, dance types and rhythms of the Baroque, and offers phrases from reconstructed dances preserved in Feuillet notation. He teaches dances from the Italian Renaissance at Dance Masters Classes in Urbania, Italy, and has taught 19th-century ballroom dances, as well as Ragtime era dances at the Gelsey Kirkland Academy of Classical Dance. Mr. Baird choreographed the Metropolitan Opera production of Alfano's Cyrano De Bergerac in 2005 and 2017. He has worked with the New York Philharmonic since 2006, where he has choreographed and performed historical dances from different eras for the Young People's Concerts. His period-style work has also been seen on Broadway in Sheridan's School for Scandal and O'Neil's A Touch of the Poet.
New France Dance Project
Montréal, Quebec
August 18th-23rd, 2025
Faculty:
Thomas Baird
Anne-Marie Gardette
Marie-Nathalie Lecoursiere
Workshop Parameters:
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Anyone who wishes to dance at the ball MUST enroll and attend the weeklong workshop. The dances will be taught by Mr. Baird during his online classes from June-July. Two dances are included in the Workshop and Ball fee. There is an extra charge for more than two dances. See below.
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Spectators are allowed at the ball for the entrance fee of $25 which entitles them to refreshments only. Spectators are only allowed to participate in group dances specified in the evening’s program.
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Private lessons at the workshop with Mr. Baird are to be arranged in advance and are not considered a part of the workshop package.
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Ball Dance Menu:
Menuet Ordinaire
L/M # 1260 La Babeth (Gavotte)
L/M # 2560 An Ecchoe (Bourrée & Menuet)
L/M # 2680 Entrée pour un homme et une femme a Thésée (1704, Loure)
L/M # 4300 Entrée pour un Berger & une Bergere (3/4)
L/M # 4320 Entrée pour les memes (Bourrée)
L/M # 4440 Entrée pour un homme et une femme a Thésée (1713, Loure)
L/M # 4500 Entrée pour une femme (Forlana)
L/M # 5800 Le Menuet de Blondy
L/M # 6760 La Pavane de Saisons (March)
L/M # 7600 La Saltarelle (Forlana)
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Fees:
$750 Workshop and Ball
$600 Workshop Only
$50 Private Lesson (30 minute)
$50 per dance over two
$25 Ball Spectator Only (Watch the dances and partake in food and drink. Costumes are welcome)
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Fees accepted via:
Pay Pal: Louixiv203@att.net or
Venmo: Thomas-Baird-20
Zelle: attombaird@aol.com
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Please choose the dances you would like to perform at the ball and notify me via email (Louixiv203@att.net) by June 1st, 2025. Please be sure that the dances you have chosen have a music score. Workshop and ball payments due no later than June 30th, 2025.
The Dance Studios
L'Ecole Superieure 4816 Rivard Street, Montreal, H2J2N6 (you might want to look in this area for housing as we'll be there 5 days of the week. The area is known as Plateau Mont Royale) https://www.esbq.ca/en/
The Ball
Chateau Ramezay, 280 Notre Dame Street, East, Old Montreal, H2Y 1C5 (this is in Old Montreal which is further from the studios) https://www.chateauramezay.qc.ca/en/
If you have any questions, please ask. Looking forward to seeing you in Montréal!!!
Dancing History
"All the ills of mankind, all the tragic misfortunes that fill the history books, all the political blunders, all the failures of the great leaders have arisen merely from a lack of skill at dancing."
Molière
