JERRY CARRIER CAJUN DANCING




JERRY CARRIER: Being careful not to adopt the coveted appellation "true Cajun", Jerry can trace his roots, along with those of much of Cajun music, back to Old Acadie, or Acadia, and beyond to French and Celtic origins. He is a direct descendant of the Morin's and the Martin's, who were among the original settlers of Acadia, coming from France in 1636. Upon retiring from the government in 1995, Jerry took up Cajun and Zydeco dancing and quickly found his passion in the lively music of southwest Louisiana, especially the Cajun and Creole waltzes and two steps, which he and Sharon Stern will share with you at the festival. Jerry learned Cajun dancing, along with how to teach it, from some of the best of the traditional Cajun dance instructors including the legendary teaching teams of Miriam Fontenot and Don Brasseaux, and Janine Dugas and Chris Trahan at such places as the Augusta Heritage and Buffalo Gap dance camps in West Virginia, and Miriam's Dance studio in Lafayette Louisiana. Jerry and Sharon return for their second year to teach Cajun dancing at the Deerfield Beach, Florida Crawfish Festival. Jerry began teaching six years ago at various venues in the Baltimore/Washington area and has continued his teaching in Florida with Sharon. Although loving the music came easily, learning the dance did not. It was only through the patience of many dance partners that Jerry finally mastered the steps. Consequently, recognizing the struggles of the new dancers, he is happy to return that patience and is always happy to explain the steps to beginners long after the lessons are over. His philosophy-"If I can learn it, anyone can!