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Hal Barnes lives in the southern Colorado Mountains with his wife Elaine. He grew up in Colorado Springs and began calling in high school when his parents started a club for high school kids in 1965. They spent many years in the Washington D.C. area where Hal called for a number of clubs for 20 years while working his “day job” as an engineer for Lockheed Martin. After retiring, they moved to Colorado where Hal teaches classes and calls for clubs in southern Colorado. His interest in smooth dancing and interesting
choreography keeps his mind young as his body keeps aging.

I can't tell stories but I am very proud of my friends that Hal has helped me accumulate. I got the idea of square dancing in 1950 when the fifth graders for one period of PE square danced. It seems to me that is a perfect age. At my first junior high school dance, the boys set on one side of the gym and the girls on the other. The boys were not as intimated as I was and if they didn't have sodas and krispy cream doughnuts, I wouldn't have gone. At sixteen worried if I would ever get to drive the family's 1950 Desoto. In 2005, Nancy Morrissey asked my friend Malcom (from work at IBM) if he wanted to learn Square Dancing. He said, "No, but my friend may!" That's my story and I'm sticking to it.

Eva Murray is a square dance caller based in Wake Forest, North Carolina. Since 1998, she has been calling contras, traditional squares, and Modern Western Squares for dancers throughout the region. Known for her lively style and welcoming spirit, Eva loves bringing people together on the dance floor. When she’s not calling dances, she enjoys spending time with her two dogs, who keep her days just as active as her evenings. For Eva, every dance is a celebration of community, music, and simple joy...

Born in a small ranching community in Texas. Graduated from Texas Woman’s
University with BS in Nursing, University of Colorado with MS in Nursing and School Nurse Practitioner Certification. Elected to Colorado State Senate in 2000 and 2004. Began employment as a nurse in a cardiovascular intensive care unit, ending my career as a school nurse for 32 years, which was my, accidently found, dream job! Served on multiple Boards of Directors, including Denver Public School Retirement Foundation, Colorado State Board of Optometrists, Eaton Senior Communities, West Metro Firefighters Foundation, and (currently) Denver College of Nursing. Lifelong passions
are gardening, travel, community involvement. Newest passion is square dancing. In 2017, persistent friends convinced me, finally, to take lessons… I was hooked from the very first do-se-do!

I started square dancing in Long Beach, CA in the mid 60’s with my parents and 2 other siblings. Square dancing was mainstream with a caller and round dancing (Waltz & Two Step) was to records that we had to memorize. I continued to dance, when possible, up to 1980.  In 1990, while living in the Rio Grande Valley (South Texas), I was asked me if I “Spin Chain and Exchange the Gears”. Nope, it was over my head. In 1991, I was transferred to Waldport, Oregon where I took lesson again and was very active in the local clubs and festivals.  I then moved to the Houston, in 1997, where dancing was very limited.  In 2002, I transferred to Bowie, MD and was amazed at all the options to dance.  I continue to dance at the Plus, DBD, and Advanced levels and round dance to Phase IV.  I love the dance and fellowship. 

Stephanie Latchford is a seasoned marketing professional with a passion for community impact and strategic storytelling. She currently leads communications efforts for SquashSmarts, a nonprofit serving urban youth through academic and athletic enrichment. Stephanie is also involved with marketing for a ballet studio and for Rhythm & Roots Marketing, an organization dedicated to revitalizing square dance clubs through modern promotional strategies. With a Master’s in Communication from Drexel University and extensive experience across nonprofit and small business sectors, she specializes in digital campaigns that spark engagement and growth. Known for her creative eye and data-driven approach, Stephanie brings heart and hustle to every project. Outside of work, she enjoys exploring Philadelphia with her husband and three daughters and volunteering with local youth and arts programs.

Leslie Klusmire was once destined to be an artist—earning an award from Governor Ronald Reagan and the National Council on the Arts—but her 5th grade teacher foresaw a future urban planner, and she was right. Endlessly curious with a wild mind, Leslie holds degrees in Landscape Architecture (BS), Finance (MBA), and her favorite, Ministry (MA). By 26, she was in management, later serving as a Community Development Director & leading major infrastructure and land development projects. Now winding down from city management, she serves as chaplain at the Colorado State Homelake Veterans Community. A lifelong dancer and recent square dance enthusiast, she's returning to fiber art, currently working on a large handmade paper piece inspired by B-52s lyrics. Leslie is a mother of three (including twins), a doting grandmother, and shares her life with two Corgis, three cats, & a flock of chickens.