ChaletPerformers
A performing troupe of International Folk Dancers, Musicians, Actors, and Swordsmen
Beautifully costumed and carefully trained, our performers have appeared at living-history museums, historic reenactments, cultural festivals, fairs, private events, gardens, schools and churches since 2002. They have competed and won awards in international dancing in both youth and adult divisions.
Most have been home-educated students from our workshops, between the ages of 7 and 26, but several parents, grandparents, and tiny siblings have enthusiastically taken to the stage as well.
Actors, Musicians & Swordsmen
Actors for Stage & Film
Film production, acting, and historical reenacting, have been intrinsic to this team's activities. Sword exercises and engagements are also included in most presentations.
The recent PBS documentary on Andrew Jackson, included 12 members of this group who acted as extras, and the creative sound track for the film featured the rhythmic beat of our male dancers.
The Highländlers
Tour Team
Much more than just dancers, the Chalet Performers act, on both stage and screen, play and record music, and give sword demonstrations and engage in combat reenactments.
"The Highländlers" is the name adopted by the group of top performers; a combination of the words: "Highland" (Scottish) and "Ländler" (a type of German dance, meaning "from the land"). This group was the mission team that toured Europe for 5 weeks, in 2009.
The Highländlers was one of 9 international teams to take part in the 2009 Folkmoot International Festival, a two-week celebration of the world's cultural heritage through folk music and dance, held each summer across the beautiful mountains of Western North Carolina. We were the only American team, and represented the country of Scotland. Other countries performing in the 2009 Festival included: Serbia, Greece, Netherlands, Romania, Mexico, Togo, Spain and Israel.
Our Director
Tina Liedle spent 7 of her school-age years in Europe, where she was involved with various types of music and dance. 26 years ago, Tina began homeschooling in Denver and working to create a friendly legal climate for home education. In 1984, she began organizing classes for homeschooling families, incorporating music, dance and other cultural and historical elements. This performing group is an outgrowth of those classes.
New Members
The core of this performing group (the director's family) moved from Georgia to Arizona, in 2010. They are forming a new performance group, to be called "The Chalet Dancers," and are seeking members, which will likely be drawn from the International Folk Dancing Workshops.