Unleash Your Passion for Square Dance
Join the Energy and Love of Dance with Renee Ruud Square Dance Caller/Round Dance Cuer!
About Renee Ruud Square Dance Caller/Round Dance Cuer
My Mission
From a critique of my skills:
Renee Ruud is dedicated to creating vibrant and inclusive square dance experiences that bring joy and connection to dancers of all ages and skill levels. Through her clear and enthusiastic calling, she aims to foster a welcoming environment where everyone can enjoy the rhythms and traditions of square dancing. By continuously honing her craft and embracing new techniques, Renee strives to inspire a love for dance, build community, and ensure that each event is a memorable and enjoyable experience for all participants.
My calling journey
I began square dancing in 2001 with my husband, Gary, under the instruction of longtime caller Les Seeley. Early on, Les recognized my love of singing and encouraged me to join him on stage, where I spent several years providing harmony as his “doowop girl.” That experience inspired me to pursue calling myself, and I eventually became his co-caller for the River City Dancers in Milwaukie, Oregon, a position I held until his retirement in 2017.
After relocating to Washington State, Gary and I returned to active dancing with the Columbia River Dancers in Battle Ground, WA. Around this time, I began caller training with Daryl Clendenin, whose mentorship, expertise, and ongoing encouragement have played a significant role in my development as a caller. Daryl and his family have since become close and valued friends.
In addition to calling, I have served as the official cuer for the Columbia River Dancers for the past year and a half. Although a stroke and a broken femur have temporarily paused my cueing, I am continuing my recovery and remain committed to returning to both calling and cueing as soon as possible.
I am also a recording artist, having recorded square dance music for Fine Tune/Goldwing, Chic Records, and Riverboat Records—an experience that has deepened my love of music and broadened my involvement in the square dance community.
My career outside the dance world includes work as a registered nurse, followed by fifteen years as a lead pharmacy technician. I have also served as a bookkeeper for a private school and spent three years interpreting sign language for the United Church of Christ in Forest Grove, Oregon.
Today, my husband and I live on five acres of my family’s original 40-acre homestead, where four generations of my family now reside, including my 95-year-old mother. We have two daughters, three grandsons, one great-grandson, and a great-granddaughter on the way.
When I’m not calling, cueing, or singing, I enjoy knitting, crocheting, tatting, spinning fibers, cooking, canning, creating herbal remedies, and crafting handmade junk journals. These creative pursuits complement the joy I find in bringing music, movement, and community together through square and round dance.
I am grateful for the instructors, dancers, and colleagues who have shaped my journey, and I look forward to continuing to grow as a caller, cuer, and ambassador for the dance activity I love.
Generate excitement
I call basic, mainstream, SSD, and am working on my Plus skills.
Cueing: I am just beginning my foray into cueing, and mostly have phase 2 waltzes and 2 step, but I am working on getting some cha‘s in my repertoire.
FEES: Negotiable
FineTunegoldwingmusic.com
I have been a staff caller for the Finetune/goldwing label for several years.
I have been a staff caller for the Finetune/goldwing label for several years.