Justin Russell has been in the square dance activity
for seven years. He took lessons with his grandmother, mom, dad, and brother in 2003. Friends from church got him to come
to that first beginner dance, but no one knew it would become his passion. In June 2003, Justin attended his first Caller
School in Tyler, TX with Jon & Deborah Carroll-Jones, Vernon Jones, and Jerry Story.
Justin has attended the last six National Square
Dance Conventions (NSDC) and three CALLERLAB Conventions.
Justin currently calls for Top Spinners in Eads
and Pacer Promenaders in Martin, TN. He travels during the summer calling both Modern Square Dances as well as Beginner (Party
Night) Dances. Justin is passionate about teaching new dancers about this wonderful activity!
Currently, Justin is the Vice Chair of the Youth
Committee for CALLERLAB. Because he offers a different, younger perspective, Justin has served on several panels and roundtables
at the NSDC and CALLERLAB Conventions.
In 2006, Justin spent the summer in Denver, CO
calling for the Colorado Rocky Mountain Dancers, an exhibition group representing the Llyod Shaw era of dancing. During this
time, Justin learned the valued history and tradition of this activity. He stills performs with the group when possible.
In 2008, Tony Oxendine and Jerry Story asked him
to record for Royal Records. In October 2008, Justin went to a Nashville studio to record "Free Ride".
Justin's goal is to blend the tradition
of square dancing with the twenty-first century. He is a political science student at the University of Memphis where he currently
lives.
