Pianist Dave Wiesler (Newark, DE) discovered playing for folk dancing in the early 1990s, and felt that the job description had been written specifically for him. In the three decades since, he has become highly regarded for his strong rhythm, his technical skills, and his deep knowledge of many genres — ranging from contra dance, English and Scottish country dance to Viennese waltz, couple dance, jazz, and sacred music. Dave has played at festivals and dance and music camps across the country, as well as in Canada, Scotland, England, and France. He appears on over two dozen recordings, many of which feature his compositions. In addition, Dave is a music teacher, a capable guitarist and singer, a writer of silly parody songs, and a children's choir accompanist.
Sarah Hirsch is an artist, writer, and teacher living by the sea in Wickford, Rhode Island with her partner and their oodles of critters. Sarah grew up contradancing and sketching under tables at the edges of contra dances, and is now a dance organizer as well. She also loves swimming, singing, gardening, biking, critters, and dabbling in fiddle. Sarah has written and illustrated a few children’s books, and has a poetry book coming out soon. Sarah's primary art practice is oil painting, chasing moving light and moments of connection, flowers, waves, and dancers. Sarah teaches children and adults and everyone in between. She holds a Masters of Education from Lesley University with a focus on community arts and trauma responsive learning. She is Montessori teacher certified, and holds a B.A. from Colby College in studio art, literature, and creative writing, and received a Fulbright grant to teach in Morocco. She taught in France, India, Morocco, Maine, Boston, and has gradually found her way back to the beautiful coast of Rhode Island.