Jeff O'Conner Status:   Active Specialty:   Big Circle Mountain Clog Range:   American	CLICK TO ENLARGE
Jeff O'Conner is a native of California and has been dancing from the age of five. He comes from a family where music and dance played an important role. While growing up in Stockton, he performed as a child and later taught Highland School and college folk dance groups. During high school he joined Camtia Ensemble of Sacramento, performing Bavarian dances. After graduating, he toured Europe, observing the various cultures and performing groups. Upon returning to the United States, he was invited to join Westwind International Folk Ensemble in San Francisco. In 1976, he was appointed as Artistic Director. Under his direction, Westwind performed throughout the Bay Area. In 1977, Westwind toured Southern France and Northern Spain, performing their collection of American material. For many years, Jeff has been active at the Stockton Folk Dance Camp. It is at Stockton Folk Dance Camp that he met the Glenn Bannerman family who sparked his interest in Big Circle Dance. He has been teaching Big Circle Mountain Clog dance and singing at Stockton since. He has made several trips to North Carolina to study and research the Appalachian mountain culture with the Bannerman family. Jeff subsequently developed his own teaching techniques in Big Circle Mountain Clog dance and has taught workshops throughout Northern California. In 1979, he was hired by Stanford University as a specialist in teaching American Dance. Jeff's professions are many. In 1981, he completed working at Stanford University, managing the "Lou Henry Hoover House," the President's residence, where he was in charge of all the formal events. His other interests are art, carpentry, cooking, Nordic skiing, and wind surfing. He has cooked at Mendocino Woodlands for English and American camps, as well as cooking for weddings and other special events. In 1982, he moved to Eureka in Northern California, and opened a catering business and has cooked for many years at Skandia Camp. Dances Jeff has taught include Big Circle Mountain Clog.

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