Barbara Merson (a third generation folk dancer) began dancing in New York and then migrated to the Boston area where she danced at MIT and Brandeis. After graduation, she returned to New York and performed with the George Tomov dancers. She currently lives in the Portland, Maine area where she teaches and leads international and Israeli folk dance groups. Barbara is also an avid belly dancer, swing dancer, and fitness instructor. She plays the dumbek with All Girl Band in the Boston area and the Portland Middle Eastern Ensemble.

Barbara’s has had extensive experience as a nonprofit leader with a wide variety of organizations, including the Maine Jewish Film Festival. She currently teaches nonprofit management at Colby College in Maine. She is the president of Folk Dance Brunswick, on the board of Mainewoods Dance Camp, the National Folk Organization, and the Folk Arts Center of New England.