Our Callers and Cuers and Line Dance Instructors

Scott Brown

Contact: 412-583-8749 / darkranger_40@yahoo.com

Scott Brown began square dancing in 1983 at age 16 calling in 1985 at age 18. He called his first National Square Dance Convention in 1986 in Indianapolis, IN.

Scott is the founder and first president of PACCA (The Progressive American Callers and Cuers Alliance).

In 1997, he founded Gold Rush Records and began producing square dance music for callers worldwide. Today, he and his son Shawn produce the music together. In 2007, with the help of Bud Merrihew, Gold Rush developed the EZ - Cue round dance format which uses a multimedia karaoke format to display cues on screen in sync with the music. All Square and Round Dance music from Gold Rush Records includes this format.

In 2015, Scott wrote a book called "Square Dancing in the 21st Century: A Definitive Guide to Modern Pattern Dancing". This book was written as a guide for the accelerated teaching of the CALLERLAB Mainstream Program using innovative techniques never before considered for use in square dancing.

Scott works regularly as a square dance caller traveling locally, regionally and nationally. He has called in over 30 states throughout his career and calls SSD through A2. He also specializes in Progressive Squares and Hexagon. At home, Scott is a club caller for Gold Rush Outlaws, Dip N' Dive and Liberty Dancers, along with Ohio Valley Promenaders in Bellaire, OH founded by Ron Anderson. He continues to work for the promotion and preservation of square dancing throughout the United States.

Shawn Brown

Contact: 724-651-7771 or 412-445-8550

Shawn Brown was introduced to square dancing in 2009 and began calling less than a year later at age fourteen. In 2011, he called his first National Square Dance Convention in Detroit, MI.

In 2012, he became a recording artist for Gold Rush Records, becoming one of the youngest recording artists of the time. Today, he is a co - producer for Gold Rush Records along with his father Scott Brown.

Shawn works as a local and regional traveling caller, also traveling nationally, calling SSD through A2. He has called in 25 states and in 2017, he called his first festival as a featured caller in Biloxi, Mississippi with Lisa Minton and Scott Brown. In 2023, he was blessed with the opportunity to work as a caller coach during the GSI (Grand Square International) Caller School in Mobile, AL.

Shawn joined CALLERLAB in 2011. He has been a presenter on several panels at CALLERLAB and NSDC conventions. He currently serves on the Caller Training, Mainstream, Marketing, Music Producers and SSD committees. Shawn is currently running for the CALLERLAB Board Of Governors.

At home, he calls and teaches for Gold Rush Outlaws, Dip N' Dive and Square One (Shawn co - founded Square One in January of 2024 with Matt Williams and Lori Ritchey), while dedicating most of his time to the promotion and preservation of square dancing.

Brad Deibert

Contact: 724-309-8270 / brad.deibert@comcast.net

Brad began square dancing in 1975; calling in 1976 and cueing in 1979. While in Junior High he began calling a monthly dance with his teacher/mentor Don Hanson. Brad continued calling in Wyoming including Lenore’s hometown of Casper, until moving to Colorado in 1990. Brad moved his family to PA in 1999 and met Fred Strang at Franklin Squares, where Fred got him calling in the Pittsburgh area. He and his wife Lenore are currently calling and teaching squares and rounds for Friendly Squares in the Pittsburgh area. He also calls and teaches squares for Swinging Squares in Altoona. Fred Strang introduced him to the 4H program and he calls dances at the Pennsylvania Farm Show each year in January.

Ron Giuliana

Contact: 412-554-1809 / rgiuliana@comcast.net

Ron started dancing in 1974. Started to call in 1992 in Rochester, NY. He was challenged by a great friend to enter an amateur night. He got the bug and attended his first calling school in 1993. Ron has called at 3 National Conventions and several guest tips in Canada and several states. He is the regular caller for The Spinners Advance Level Club in Pittsburgh, PA. He enjoys dancing on a regular basis with his wife, Judy. They travel around the country dancing at many festivals.

Blaine Knupp

Contact: 724-464-4324 / beknupp@live.iup.edu

Blaine is currently caller for Pittsburgh's Iron City Squares and Blairsville's Mountainview Squares. A native of Somerset County and a retired librarian at Indiana University of Pennsylvania, Blaine started dancing with the Iron City Squares in 2006. He made the jump into calling a year later when Iron City's founding caller was moving from the area and needed someone to take over the club. He attended his first caller school in May of 2007 and assumed calling duties that summer. Blaine started calling for Mountainview in 2022 when their caller decided to retire. He was a former member of the Thunderbolts Advanced square dance club and is a current member of CALLERLAB (the professional callers association) and the Gay Caller Association. He particularly enjoys traveling to square dance fly-ins (weekend dance events) and conventions, particularly if he can travel by train. In addition to calling, Blaine is an avid reader and collects mystery novels. He also enjoys singing and has been a member of several area choral organizations and church choirs.

Lisa Minton

Contact: 412-215-0617

Lisa Minton began calling in 2013 and called her first National Square Dance Convention the same year in Oklahoma City, OK.

She is a recording artist for Gold Rush Records and has over 40 records to her credit. Her unique style and fresh ideas have resulted in some of the most dynamic Singing Calls ever produced for female callers.

Lisa was instrumental in the creation of multiple Square Dance clubs in the area (Gold Rush Outlaws, Dip N' Dive and Liberty Dancers) and continues to work tirelessly to provide local dancers with weekly opportunities to dance.

Lisa is also a Round Dance Cuer, holds a degree in Business, is an accomplished equestrian, former 4H member and leader and competitive Barrel Racer.

She is the current president of PACCA (The Progressive American Callers and Cuers Alliance). PACCA has provided many special events and caller education opportunities in the past and is responsible for putting on special dances each year like the Oglebayfest Square Dance in Oglebay Park.

Lisa works regularly as a square dance caller traveling locally, regionally and nationally. She has called in over 20 states and calls SSD through Plus DBD. In 2017, she called her first festival as a featured caller in Biloxi, MS with Scott and Shawn Brown. At home, she is a club caller for Gold Rush Outlaws, Dip N' Dive and Liberty Dancers.

Norm Shaffor

Contact: passthru45@gmail.com

Stormin' Norman is a recently retired caller who still in demand, occasionally filling in over at the Mountainview Squares.

Matt Williams

Contact: 724-651-7771 / trailmulematt@gmail.com / Matt's Facebook

Matt comes from a family with a history of Square Dancing. As a youngster, he wasn't able to join his family when they went out to dance at the local club in New Brighton, Pa. Someone had to watch the farm at all times, and that was Matt's to do. The time came when he was around 10 years old that he was able to hit the dance floor. An uncle that Matt grew up with became a caller, and decades later, in around 2017, Matt started looking into calling because he wanted to better understand the mechanics of the dance. Matt has called some one-night dances, and has occasionally been the guest caller for the area clubs, Dip N Dives, Gold Rush Outlaws, Liberty Dancers, Ohio Valley Promanaders, and Peanut Squares. He has also called dances at Square One, a club he co-founded in January 2024 with Lori Ritchey and Shawn Brown. Matt is the regular line dance instructor, kicking off Square One's weekly dances with some lively beats. Occasionally, he gives lessons in other styles of dance, both group or one-on-one.

Rich Williams

Contact: 412-915-4333 / chaseright6@verizon.net

Rich first stepped onto the square dance floor in 1974 at the Village Square in South Hills Village, Pittsburgh, PA. From that moment, he was hooked. The rhythm, the movement, and the camaraderie ignited a passion that would shape my journey as both a dancer and a caller.

His journey as a square dance caller began in 1976, marking the start of an incredible adventure in the world of calling. To refine his skills and deepen his understanding of the art, Rich attended the North Eastern Caller School for five years, followed by the Central Sierra Caller School. It was at the latter that he had the exciting opportunity to call as a guest for several local clubs—an experience that solidified his passion for calling.

Over the years, Rich has had the privilege of sharing the stage with talented callers like Ron Giuliana and Jim Yoest, especially as a regular caller for The Spinners, an Advanced-level club. His calling repertoire spans Mainstream through A2, allowing him to bring energy and precision to dancers across various levels.

Howard Williamson

Contact: 814-686-8197 / rowdysqdance@gmail.com

Howard's father and grandfather were square dance callers before him, so he is carrying on a strong family tradition. He began square square dancing at the tender age of 10 and has been calling for 40 years. He started lessons with his grandfather and finished learning from his dad. Howard also teaches line dancing and cues some rounds. He is the regular caller for the clubs Happy Go Lucky, Peanut Squares, Castle Paws and Taws, and the Everett Do Si Do's. He also guest calls for other clubs.

Jim Yoest

Contact: 412-486-8831 / jimyoest@gmail.com

Jim is the regular caller for Y-Knot Squares, and occasionally guest calls for The Spinners

Brad Deibert

Contact: 724-309-8270 / brad.deibert@comcast.net

Brad took an interest in cueing at his hometown club in Laramie, Wyoming when the local cuer wanted to retire. His brother Brian invited him to cue at his out-of-town dances, giving Brad a chance to practice. Brad and Lenore taught rounds in Laramie for a short time before moving to Colorado. Once in PA, Brad started cueing again for Franklin Squares and other clubs; and currently cues and teaches rounds at Friendly Squares. The couple had a round dance club in Jeannette/Greensburg for about 10 years. Brad continues to cue at dances he calls and rarely is hired to just cue. Brad likes to say he’s a caller that happens to know how to cue.

Nathan Parrott

Contact: 724-730-7963 / nparrott1@comcast.net

Nathan is one of the regular cuers for the Castle Paws and Taws. He has cued for many clubs over the past 20 years, bringing refined elegance to the greater Western Pennsylvania and Eastern Ohio area. He has taught workshops and lessons across the range from Phase I to Phase IV, helping dancers learn and refine their skills as they make this form of expression a fulfilling part of their lives.

Howard Williamson

Contact: 814-686-8197 / rowdysqdance@gmail.com

In addition to cuing round dances, Howard is a square dance caller and line dance instructor. Howard is currently cuing rounds between tips for the clubs Happy Go Lucky, Peanut Squares, and the Everett Do Si Do's.

Jenny Roupe

Contact: 304-280-5211 / jenny.ap56@gmail.com

Jenny "The Line Dance Lady" is the regular Line Dance Instructor for the Ohio Valley Promenaders in Bellaire, OH. Weekly classes. Available for Private and Group Lessons. Virginia Roupe Dance, LLC. "Do something that makes you want to dance every day."

Matt Williams

Contact: 724-651-7771 / trailmulematt@gmail.com / Matt's Facebook

Matt is the regular Line Dance Instructor for the Square One club, leading off their weekly dances with some lively beats! He has experience as a square dance caller and occasionally gives lessons in other styles of dance, both group or one-on-one.

Howard Williamson

Contact: 814-686-8197 / rowdysqdance@gmail.com

In addition to being a line dance instructor, Howard calls square dances and cues rounds. He's currently instructing line dancing between tips for the clubs, Happy Go Lucky, Castle Paws and Taws, and the Everett Do Si Do's.