Copyright 2013 - Matthew McGovern
Site Last Updated: June 10, 2013
All About Matt
I started taking square dance lessons when I was eleven years old with my grandmother in West Springfield, MA at the Swingles Square Dance Club. I danced for around ten months and then began to think (with some influence of area callers) "Hey , Maybe I Should Become a Caller myself". So, I did!
At one of Steve Garret's round dances lessons in East Hartford, CT, I called my first singing call. He, from then on, would let me call a tip each week to practice and get better at calling. Steve helped me get my first calling date at a real club, this was the Surfside Eights in Westerly, RI.
The first dance I called was actually put on by myself and another caller, Dave Smith. It was a Fourth Of July Dance in 2006, and was held at the Hayloft in Sturbridge, MA. Dave and I did two dances together, that Fourth of July event, and also a Labor Day event, later in the year.
I have attended three caller schools, one in 2006, one in 2008, and most recently in 2012. These were held by Ken Ritucci and multiple other caller coaches. They were extremely fun, I learned how to become a better caller, and met many different people from different countries, including Russia!
Fast forward to the present, I am currently calling multiple dances a month for various clubs all across New England. Overall square dancing in general has been a terrific experience for me, and has allowed me to meet great people from all over the world. I would like to thank all the different callers, dancers, and square dance clubs who have helped me get started in my calling career, and whom still help me today. I also would like to thank my friends and family for their continued support thru the years!
- Matt
Matt Calling for the Hayloft Steppers in Sturbridge, MA