Ralph & Joan Collipi began round dancing in 1969, and in January of 1972 began teaching rounds in Salem, New Hampshire. They have trained privately for over 20 years with numerous ballroom coaches. One of their coaches Marie Darnell Noel, trained in England, and is a member of the Imperial Dance Society, and a Black Pool Champion. They now operate and have operated on a weekly basis the National Carousel Club #93, dedicated to the advancement of the dancer ability. They presently are teaching Phases 3-6. In addition they taught and coached the "C" NOTES Round Dance exhibition team for 5 years. This team performed locally, regionally, and nationally.

They are and have been Directors of Round-e-vous Round Dance Weekends for the past 23 years. Presently they have 3 weekends at all levels on-going, including the Chesapeake Round-E-Vous Weekend, held in Maryland and Woodbound Round-E-Vous held in New Hampshire, and the Bennington College Round-E-Vous Festival held in Vermont. The Bennington Festival caters to Phases 3-6 and is held in 3 ballrooms all under the same roof. Bennington Festival has been in existence for 18 years.

The Collipi’s are members of many dance leader organizations and have held many of the offices in Roundalab and URDC. They are past Chairman of Roundalab, Vice Chairman, and have held several committee positions. They were part of a team that prepared the Teacher Coach program for Roundalab, encompassing Phases 3-6. They have served on URDC Board of Directors, and been registrars for two URDC Conventions. They also served on the TAC Committee.

In 1992, the Collipi’s along with Carmen & Mildred Smarrelli, started The East Coast Round Dance College in Salem, N. H. To date they have graduated 200 Round Dance Leaders, from the United States, Japan, and Canada, and the Country of Panama. In 2001 the school expanded to include a West Coast Leaders College. In 2005, a college was held, in Mesa, Arizona. Permanent Staff Members are Wayne & Barbara Blackford.

The Collipi’s were invited by European Callers and Cuers Associaton to conduct a mini school in Darmstadt, Germany in 1997. There were 25 leaders in attendance. Countries represented were Germany, England, Belgium, & the Netherlands.

They as Roundalab Teacher Coaches have conducted a Mini-Lab in Abilene, Texas with 42 leaders in attendance. They also held a Mini-Lab in 2003 in Michigan, with 35 leaders in attendance.

We are so happy to have had shared so many good times in this wonderful activity.

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