Traditional dance caller Joyce Rossbach was born and raised in a small farming community in the Upcountry of South Carolina known as the fertile crescent of country music. With rogue wit and southern charm, her winning personality inspires dancers of all levels to kick up their heels!
Joyce’s command of contra, square and traditional round dance figures reveals a deep love for a variety of traditional American dance styles. During a decade in Central New York State, she called for all of the major dance organizations of the region including the Syracuse Country Dancers, The Queen City Contra Dancers, The Southern Tier Country Dance Society, The Tompkins County Country Dancers, The Otsego Dance Society, The Cabin Fever Country Dancers, The Morrisville Dance, The Barneveld Country Dancers, The Country Dancers of Rochester, and the Contradance in Binghamton. She was a longtime member of the sword dancing performance team the Ribbon Steel Rappers.
Joyce’s calling is full of life and exudes an infectious lilt and rhythmic conviction. Her clear and concise walk-throughs guide dancers of all levels through the moves needed for each dance. She shares a gift for encouraging newcomers with her easygoing style and can transform inexperienced attendees into confident and happy dancers in just an evening! Working from an impressive collection of dances for all skill levels, Joyce has a knack for choosing just the right dance for any occasion.
In 2008, Joyce relocated to Elkins, West Virginia, as the Director of the prestigious Augusta Heritage Center of Davis & Elkins College. For six years she oversaw all aspects of programming for seven theme weeks that hosted world-renowned instructors teaching about the roots of America's musical cultures including Blues, Celtic, Bluegrass, Swing, Old-Time, French Canadian, Cajun and Zydeco. She is a board member for the Randolph County Community Center for the Arts. In the region, Joyce has called at the Elkins Country Dance Society, the Morgantown Friends of Old-Time Music, Pittsburgh Contras & Squares, the Central Pennsylvania Country Dance Association, the Folklore Society of Northeastern Pennsylvania and at numerous sessions at the Augusta Heritage Center.
Joyce is also an accomplished musician with a love for playing Celtic & Appalachian folk tunes on the hammered dulcimer and appears on special occasions in a duet format with her award-winning husband, John Rossbach.
Joyce Rossbach
Elkins, WV 26241
(304) 642-8881