|
Don Allen
|
|
Don Allen was an instructor of dance at Brigham Young University (BYU) in Provo, Utah, and an advisor to the square dance, clogging, and folk dance clubs. In addition to squares, he taught international folk dancing, clogging, and social/ballroom dance. After BYU, he went on to successful teaching oportunities at the University of Northern Iowa, Oregon State University, and California State University at Sacramento.
Don started square dancing in elementary school and graduated to social dance in junior high. When he attended BYU in 1964, he began dancing with the Brigham Young University International Folk Dancers. In 1970, he was hired as full-time faculty and assistant director of the BYU International Folkdancers touring group, with whom he went on six European summer tours as performer, artistic director, and tour director. He also toured with the BYU International Folkdancers in the United States for fourteen years as tour director, performer, and technical person.
Don taught at folk dance camps all over the U.S., including Southern California's Holiday Camp, and did workshops and choreography for many university and high school performing groups. In his last years, Don struggled with Lou Gherig's Disease and was in a wheel chair for almost a year. He died in 2011. He leaves his second wife Nancy and four children.
Dances Don taught include Angus Reel Mixer, Beckett's Reel, Flash of Fire, Gone at Last, Grand Square, Happy Heart, Jesse Polka, Jiffy Mixer, Just Because, King of the Road, Last Thing on My Mind, Maple Leaf Jig, March Contra, Mason's Apron, Night Train to Memphis, OXO, Shindig In the Barn, Square Dance Basics, Squares, Sun Coming Up, and Tennessee Wig Walk.