2011 – Rosie Davis, singer, stepdancer and festival organiser

me-with-taps

Rosie Davis was born in Woolton near Liverpool, and has been singing and dancing from the age of three years. She became interested in folk music in her teens and developed an interest in Old Time Music and Bluegrass, playing and singing at home with her two older brothers.

Rosie has been instrumental in the development of freestyle Appalachian step-dancing in the UK from the early 1980s, performing and giving workshops at many high profile festivals here and in Europe. As a respected musician, as well as an entertainer, her love and understanding of traditional music underpins the way she teaches and dances.

Most recently she has been developing her interests in Southern English step dancing and European social dance, and singing for dancing.

Rosie plays with string band Old Faded Glory in East Sussex as well as performing solo at folk clubs, with Dave Arthur and Pete Cooper in Dance-tales, with Sisters Unlimited and Jig Jaw. She has been a member of several celebrated Bluegrass bands and plays autoharp, banjo, bass and feet – not all at the same time and is much demand as a dance caller. Rosie’s instruction book and music for dancing, Karaoke Cloggin’, is available on CD.

We’re also delighted to have her as one of the organisers of the Frittenden Festival – Sing, dance and play.