Mike's Profile and History
Mike Callahan has been a full-time square dance caller since 1974, building a vibrant and long standing square dance home program in the Rochester, NY area. He currently calls for four square dance clubs and leads classes from beginners through Advanced (A-2), along with private parties, camps, school and corporate events. His calling career has taken him to special dances, weekends and festivals across 20 states and internationally in Canada, Germany and Australia. Mike has taught a beginners’ class in Modern Western Square Dancing every year since 1972 and spent three years on staff at Ken Ritucci’s Callers School in Massachusetts.
Since 1978, Mike has also been a familiar face in many Monroe County school Physical Education Programs from kindergarten through 12th grade. This outreach became a major part of his work highlighted by Fairport High School’s annual “Showdown Hoedown” where more than 300 high school students take part in a much lively and much anticipated square dance competition.
Mike has been an active member of CALLERLAB, the International Association of Square Dance Callers since 1976. He served on its Board Of Governors for three years. He is past chairman of the Advanced Dancing Committee and continues to serve on it.
As a recording artist Mike has produced singing calls for Red Boot Star and C Bar C Records. He currently records for Silver Sounds Records.
Mike lives in Spencerport, NY with his lovely wife Wanda. They have three children and eight grandchildren.
