Tutors: Hilary & Tony Jay

HandTJay

Tony & Hilary playing circle dance music on the roof terrace at the new La Maison Anglaise Ecolodge, Jan 2020. Tony is a concertina and melodeon player, guitarist and occasional choreographer. His interest in various types of folk music began in his teens and has never left him. Hilary is a gifted singer and music has been a wonderful joint interest for them both throughout their married life. Hilary also plays Autoharp and teaches circle and ceilidh dancing. They both run their own Circle Dance club near Bristol called ‘Friendship and Dance’, a name suggested by members to reflect the nature of the club. Their style is inclusive, fun, sometimes gentle and meditative and often energising. They teach a variety of Circle Dances and  perform their own live music. This unique duo creates a warm and full sound with concertina and autoharp.

They also run a thriving ‘singalong’ club in their home village of Frampton Cotterell. Hilary leads the singing whilst Tony accompanies her on guitar. As a musical family they have come a long way since forming a ‘family band‘ along with their three sons, many years ago. As with any family the children grow up and leave home to lead their own lives. After attending one particular Sidmouth Folk Festival and purchasing the autoharp that Hilary eventually took up, she married this to teaching circle dance and voila, the combo was complete.

At La Maison Anglaise there will be opportunities for dancers to exercise their vocal cords as well as their dancing feet by joining them to sing some favourite songs from many eras. Marvellous for generating the endorphins.

Find out more on FaceBook https://www.facebook.com/hilaryandtonyjay

Testimonial:

“It was a delight to have Tony & Hilary perform and lead dances; their repertoire includes ceilidh as well as traditional and modern circle dance tunes. Hilary is a very clear dance teacher added to which she dances with poise. Tony leads & harmonises his arrangements of live music on concertina with Hilary who accompanies on autoharp sprinkled with haunting vocals” Jane B, Jan 2020″

Subscribe to our Newsletters