Tales from the Caravan

Dr. Lori Morris

1990 to 2011

Musician, parent of 2 company members

When our girls, Aurora and Sierra DeCrosta were members of the Caravan Kids Company we were involved in a recording session with Pete Seeger for the "Take it from Martin Luther King" tune. Sierra sang a lead part, Richard played trumpet and I sang with the chorus. When Pete entered the studio he asked the children's choir what they knew about Martin Luther King, after hearing their replies he sat down and taught them about the Civil rights leader's work for an hour before he determined that they knew enough to be singing for this project. It was an incredible historical moment for the children and adults to be taught about the history of the Civil Rights movement by an iconic musician whose music helped light the way for both the Civil Rights movement and the Environmental movement. I feel so grateful to have shared that experience with my family and the company!

Julia Haines

1981-1985, 2019, 2022

Piano, Harp and Accordion

Wonderful people, and adventures in the 1980's, traveling with the Caravan to schools and colleges in the Northeast, Midwest and the South.

During a break in our traveling, I happened to break my ankle just before we were headed to North Carolina. Since I was playing Celtic Harp and Accordion, I wondered how I would be able get everything on the airplanes and in the cars. No problem! The generosity and strength of the ensemble carried my instruments and suitcase wherever needed.

At then end of the summer, after a performance at the Woodstock Playhouse, I gave a party in thanks for all who made that tour a breeze.

Always a community of great energy, music, dance and laughter.
Thank you, Vanaver Caravan

Gina King

1982-2000

dancer, teacher, rehearsal director

My First Gig With The Vanaver Caravan

The year was 1982. I was a recent graduate of NYU School of the Arts, which was also Livia’s alma mater. Various Alumnae were participating in a benefit concert for a scholarship fund and it was was there that I first encountered the Vanaver Caravan!

I had performed in the first half and had snuck into the audience during intermission. Of course the Caravan closed the show—they were doing the Appalachian suite! From the minute Bill started the holler I was transfixed. By the time they got to the end I was saying to my inner waiter (as in “when harry met sally’) “I’ll have what THEY’RE having. My secret desire to hitch my wagon to THIS caravan was formed.

Well I guess that Livia and Bill had noticed me as too because some time later I was awakened by an early morning phone call. "Hi, is this Gina? It’s Livia Vanaver. Unfortunately one of our company members is having a family health emergency and we need someone to step in for her in a concert we have today. Could you do it?" “TODAY?” I thought, but I said “uh, okay….” Liv said “great, the dancers are driving up to the gig is, so meet them at 9:15 at 53rd and 2nd, it’s a station wagon. They’ll fill you in on the way up.” Okay…

I got to the rendezvous point a little early, the dancers were… a little late. They shoved over for me as I met the people I would be spending the day with. We were a motley crew, the dancers were sleepy and drinking their coffees. Byron was driving, Yungyung was actually asleep. Ted was there, Terry Creach, Toni, Terry Pfister—none of them seemed overly concerned about my learning the piece, of course they were concerned about the circumstances of my being there, but not the dance itself. “It’s really more of a pantomime than a dance piece—there’s some contra dancing in it—you’ll be fine, you’re a character at an 1850’s ball.”

Okay… I said.

Fast forward to the rehearsal. They teach me the piece, with many cooks working in that kitchen! I quickly learn to lean on Terry Creach as the voice of calm and good priorities as to what I needed to know. It turns out that my character is “the flirt”, and luckily that came very naturally to me. We got to a point at which I knew the broad strokes and was ready to actually rehearse the piece and Livia called a break, and announced the next piece to be run. YIKES, that’s it? I asked Livia if we would rehearse again later before the evening’s performance and she said, "oh, no, the show is a matinee. It’s at 2".

Okay… I said.

Elijah’s babysitter was calling her and she had to go but as she walked away she passed the costume rack and she said “in this company we iron our own costumes", and she handed me this huge satin ball gown meant to go over on a hoop skirt, and smiled that Livia smile.

Okay… I said.

The piece went fine and it was the first of many chaotic joyful, laughter and tears-filled rehearsals and performances. Working with the Vanaver Caravan has been one of the true joys of my life. Many wonderful things have come out of my association with the company, including finding my very dearest friend for life and my wonderful day job. Bill and and Liv, thanks for that early morning call, and congratulations on 50 years of courageous beautiful work that has influenced so many people, more than you’ll ever know.

Rachel List

1973-1996

Performer

I first met Livia in Margaret Craske's ballet class. I was a complete "bun head" with absolutely no knowledge of modern dance, not to mention music and dance styles from around the world. Livia invited me up to New Paltz to teach her company one summer and, at the end of that time, invited me to join the group. The first time she asked me to simply "run across the floor" I did so as if I were in the corps de ballet of "Swan Lake" which, I'm sure, was pretty amusing. My early attempts at clogging probably resembled me doing frappes more than percussive dance, as well. Even so, Livia had faith in me and, over the years, through working with TVC, I was introduced to a universe of new dance and music styles that enriched and excited me. In addition, I became part of an extended family of dancers and musicians as we traveled and performed across the U.S. and internationally. From Livia and Bill, in addition to everything else, I learned that being in a dance and music company could be a joyful and wonderful part of one's life, rather than the rather punishing experience which I had had in the ballet world. I met my husband, Michael Sansonia, in TVC and we were only one of many important relationships that developed in this ever changing and growing gathering of artists. As Livia and Bill continue to develop all the many educational and performing opportunities they create for countless new members of the company, I can only try to emulate their efforts and successes in my role as the director of a university Dance program. They continue to be my inspiration and all I can say is "thank you" and "long live The Vanaver Caravan," the company that forever changed my life in so many ways.

Michael Sansonia

1984, and after

Musician, singer, arranger, occasional actor

The Vanaver Caravan changed my life, and gave me some wonderful experiences.
The tour I was working had ended. I was separated from my first wife, living in a rented room in someone's apartment, collecting unemployment. Bill called and asked, "Would you like to tour France with us for seven weeks?" I said "Yes" so fast, I'm surprised that the phone could handle it. If he had known to also say, "And, by the way, you'll meet the love of your life (38 years and counting), and she'll be the mother of one of the coolest people you know," I would have said "yes" before he even called!
What a tour! Playing in a Medieval amphitheatre and a state of the art venue. Performing in Paris on the same bill with a couple of icons. And it was only the beginning. Every gig with them has been an adventure.
The happiness they bring to performers can only be a fraction of the happiness they've brought to countless audiences.

Sara Safford

1972-1976

Company Member

I’m very proud to have been involved in the early days of this wonderful company. There was an ad in the Village Voice - “Auditions for the Coming Together Festival of Dance and Music” and I thought that’s a long name… but sounds like something I want to be part of.  When I met Bill and Livia our connection was immediate.  I felt those Balkan rhythms in my body knew it was right for me. 

We had to all agree to move upstate and commit to creating performances together.  It was a hopeful time and moving to the country to spend my days dancing and making music seemed like the best life I could imagine.  

We rehearsed in all kinds of woodland spaces learning a mish mosh of songs and dances full of spirit and whimsey.  I was thrilled to belong to a company, devoting so many hours a day to doing what I loved, and sharing it the world.   

We were an odd collection of characters, each dancer and musician with their unique contribution.  The music was so interesting - the odd rhythms and close harmonies, the gorgeous movements imprinted forever in my body. ( do a few moves from Kopanitsa)

We had the greatest gigs in folk festivals - South Street Seaport, Toronto, Wolftrap…it was an unforgettable adventure and one of the highlights of my life.

Over the years I’ve loved watching them grow and continue, passing it on to the children and never losing sight of their dream. What an amazing accomplishment to celebrate 50 years of this beautiful project!

Rebecca Kelly

1976-1980

Company Member

For me, that was a splendid learning opportunity.  You two provided a joyful window into world folk music and dance that I never would have encountered, and for that enriching experience I will always be grateful.  And somehow in all that you assebled for the productions, you let me perform my own "Charles" solo at Mohunk and elsewhere, my tribute to Charles Weidman and Charlie Chapman (two other mentors and inspirations in the early days of my choreographer's path.)   I wish you both the best. 

Miryam Sarsheen

1972-Present

Caravan Enthusiast & Friend

A funny fluky sort of thing. I actually went to their very first performance at Washington Square Church, NYC,  the spring of 1972.  My former husband, our two young children, 3 &5,  and l had moved from Portland, O, the past autumn to Yaphank, LI. A co-worker of my husband's at the Fish and Wildlife Dept in Patchogue drove me to their performance in the city cause he knew how much l loved dance. I was so captivated and thrilled, l think l cried all the way home. 

      27 years later l signed up at WJC to be invited into someone's home for a Pesach Seder. Rabbi Jonathan and Ellen invited me to theirs🎶 And what an evening 🎶🎵🎶 Livia and Bill, Zoe Zak and present partner,  Kim and Reggie💃🕺💃🕺🎸 Timna was like 3 -4 l think. What a re- introduction to Pesach🎵🎵🎵

    My daughter's and my very first Seder was in 82 in Sheep's Head Bay. We had taken the train in from New Haven to go with my new lover, living in NYC,  and be introduced to her very Jewish family.

   What a fascinating story😊 Who would have guessed🙃??

    So in the summer of 2003 (¿ I think) my brother living with his two sons in Grand Rapids, Mich, is desperate for his 14 year old son  Luke to have a summer of dance and be away from Grand Rapids. l suggested he could come stay with me and take a couple of weeks of the Vanaver Caravan program. It was perfect for him🕺🕺🕺 Luke has said it saved his life. He came for 3 summers🎶🎶 and Livia and Luke have been in love ever since. It brought Luke to go to NYC for college at The New School in 2007 and he is there in NYC, with various detours along the way, dancing his heart out. 

    I sent Luke the info. 

Well Phyllis you have opened up many beautiful memories and l am sooo very grateful for your generosity 🌹l am thrilled to join you🎶🎵🎶🎵

   May we dance forever 💃🕺🎵 much ❤️  Lila tov 🦋 (even tho tis the middle of the 🌃)   miryam🌻🤸