Door County Folk Festival
Barbara DuFresne
(Winona, MN)
(Dance Instructor)
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Barbara DuFresne has always loved to dance, and from an early age she did - the usual round of tap, ballet and acrobatics. She was first introduced to folk dance at Bloomington (MN) High School by fellow student, Dennis Boxell. Dennis started a folk dance club at the school, that gradually became a performing group as well. Dennis even got us a performance at the St. Paul Festival of Nations. From time to time Barbara also danced with the University of Minnesota group.

Later, life intervened while she kept herself busy being a librarian and a music teacher. When she moved to Winona, MN, she found a new and active folk dance group, now known as the Winona International Dancers. She joined in 1980 and became its director in 1981, and for more than 40 years members have been dancing, teaching dance, and performing in this area of Minnesota and Wisconsin. The group has extolled the delight and benefits of dance to groups of elementary students, college students, teachers, and older adults. In our teaching and performing we often invite members of the audience to dance with us, and it is rewarding to see how much fun they have.