We are The Berea Festival Dancers, a middle and high school dance group based in Berea, KY, and directed by Theresa Lowder. Our performances include a wide variety of traditional English and American dances, along with dances from Denmark, Ireland, and other countries. We perform in handmade costumes, which are designed in the styles of the dances' time periods. We have performed at schools, historical centers, festivals, and various other places and events in the region.

Nearly every summer we go on tour, journeying across the United States or overseas. Each tour is two to three weeks long, and includes performances, sightseeing, and collection of new dances. Places we have performed include Mt. Rushmore, the Grand Canyon, and Disney World; we have toured in countries such as Australia, Ireland, and Denmark. Traveling to such far-flung places is made easier by our extensive network of connections across the country and the globe. Many of these contacts are other dance groups, and we often return the favor and host them on their tours.

We are affiliated with several local and national dance organizations, including the Berea Folk Circle Association and the Country Dance and Song Society. We have also received grants from The Kentucky Arts Council to do performances for schools and Arts Council events.

We are a community, not school-based, group, with students from five schools as well as several home-schoolers. Members can join starting in 7^th grade, and usually leave after graduating from high school, although many graduates continue to participate as supplementary instructors. Our director is Theresa Lowder, a highly regarded figure in the folk dance community with over twenty years of experience in traditional dance.