Meg Mabbsa nd Bill Gooch, Swedish Norwegian folk dance instructors from Knoxville, Tenn., are pictured during a recent two-day session with the local Thule Swedish Dance Team.

The Thule Swedish Folk Dance Team welcomed Meg Mabbs and Bill Gooch, Swedish/Norwegian folk dance instructors from Knoxville, Tenn., recently at the Fluvanna Community Church in Jamestown.

They have more than 30 years of experience as dance teachers while traveling often to Norway and Sweden. They have choreographed and led Scandinavian music and dance performances for international festivals. They have also led their weekly Trollkretsen Scandinavian Dancers in Knoxville. Mabbs also teaches Swedish singing. In Gooch’s quest to learn more about Scandinavian dancing he has described 167 dances in his book called “Glad i att dansa”which plays a large role in bringing these dances to life for current dancers and in generations.

All active Thule dancers were in attendance. The group learned different ways to take smaller steps,listen to the music and adjust the group’s dance to the music. The group also learned how to turn correctly for polska and line of direction as well as the proper way to hold a dance partner.

The group also learned hambo. Mabbs and Gooch taught the steps separately and then put everything together. The group shared food with a pizza party on the first night of instruction while the second day included a dish-to-pass dinner.

The Thule Swedish Folk Dance Team often has live musicians for practices and performances. Thule Lodge #127 provided funding for instruction.

The Thule dancers meet every Tuesday at 7 p.m. at Fluvanna Community Church.