Square Dance Caller

Martha Cooper is a second generation dance caller currently living in Peterborough ON. She first started calling with her father Eldon Cooper, and upon moving to Ottawa she fell in with the likes of Catherine Burns and Pippa Hall. Now more than 15 years later, Martha has called dances in Ottawa, Toronto, Kingston, Montreal, Vancouver, Seattle, Syracuse and more. She calls community dances, workshops in schools, weddings and parties. Most recent additions to her bio are the Algoma Trad Family Music and Dance Camp, Blue Skies Music Festival, and the Woods Music and Dance Camp.

Martha can put together an evening of dances suitable for any level of dancer from beginner through to experienced. If Martha is not calling a dance or dancing, she greatly enjoys playing for the dances. As a 5-string banjo player, an Irish flute and bodhran player, Martha is at home in all rolls at a contra/square dance!

Cooper is also a regular at local old-time and Irish jams, always with a flute or banjo in tow.

Martha Cooper is known for her gentle approach to sharing her knowledge. A highly skilled musician and practitioner of the folk arts, Martha brings a respectful authority to her work which is appreciated by her peers and students.

At the Ottawa Folklore Centre, Martha quickly became established as a multi-instrumental instructor to the young and elderly; teaching flute, ukulele, penny whistle, banjo, and Irish drum. Martha’s tenure at the OFC eventually led to her promotion to the in-house arts administrator, a position she kept while teaching until 2015.

Another of Martha’s many hats is that of a music and movement teacher for very young children. A trained Kindermusik and Suzuki Early Childhood teacher, Martha has designed a program to help children learn about how their bodies can move and be expressive while at the same time learning the fundamentals of music. From as young as newborn babies to children of 5 or 6, Martha’s music program pleases all.