Smoke and Mirrors, since 1999
A fine contra dance, barn dance, country dance, and square dance band available for
hire throughout New England. We'll be happy to perform our music or play for dancing. We
can teach you dance steps ourselves, or bring along a dance caller. We're a friendly and
lively ensemble!
Purchase our CD! Our current public dance schedule is posted here.
Band Biography:
Damaris Rohsenow has been performing folk music since 1963. She currently plays
hammered dulcimer or piano for contra and English country dances, with a focus on early
American, 17th century English, Irish, French-Canadian, and Scottish music. She is a
member of Smoke & Mirrors and of New Boston Fancy, and previously was a member of
various other New England contra dance bands including Whistler's Daughter, The Whistling
Thieves, and Jump at the Sun. She previously played concertina and recorder for Morris
dances and guitar for an Irish string band.
Deborah Gerstein is a classically trained piano player extraordinaire who has played with
many different contra dance bands, including Smoke and Mirrors, Roaring Jelly, and others.
Ryan Thomson, known as "Captain Fiddle," has played contra dance music for over 35 years.
He teaches fiddling and folk music at Phillips Exeter Academy, Kittery Adult Ed., and at
music and dance camps nationally. He enjoys calling and teaching dances when the need
arises. He has been designated a Master Traditional Artist by the New Hampshire Council on
the Arts, and is a former Northeastern winner of the National Fiddle Contest.
Band History - Original fiddler Steve Cushing retired from the band in 2001, Ryan moved
from band pianist to fiddler, and Deborah has become our resident keyboardist.