Valentine’s Balfolk Dance with Noelle Beaudin and Shelby Trevor

LACONIA — Celebrate Valentine’s season with an evening of live music, joyful movement, and warm community at a Valentine’s Balfolk Dance featuring Noelle Beaudin and Shelby Trevor. The dance will be held Sunday, Feb. 15 from 4 to 6 p.m. at Unitarian Universalist Society of Laconia, 172 Pleasant St.

Balfolk is a vibrant European tradition where all dances are taught on the spot. This event blends easy, social dances with an intimate concert set. All dances are taught by Max Enloe and are designed to be easy, welcoming, and fun — no experience, special shoes, or partner required. And for those who prefer to sit back, just come enjoy the music and watch the dancing.

Noelle Beaudin brings her expressive, rhythm-driven style to the dance floor alongside violinist Shelby Trevor, whose melodic playing and groove make these traditional forms feel fresh and alive. Together, they create music that invites connection — whether through dancing, listening, or simply sharing space. All ages are welcome. 

The evening will include:

• Fully taught, accessible Balfolk dances
• A short, intimate concert featuring original and traditional tunes
• A relaxed, inclusive atmosphere celebrating love, community, and togetherness

Shelby Trevor is a violinist, composer, and educator whose work explores sound and musical ideas beyond the limits of any single genre. Trevor’s past projects reflect a wide-ranging and dynamic career. He is the founder and former director of the Amelia Island Community String Orchestra, a founding member of both the Subtropical String Trio and the Spiral Song concert series, conductor for the Jacksonville Symphony Youth Orchestra, staff musician for the Berklee College of Music, and a founding member of the Granite String Band. As a violin soloist, he has appeared with the Suzuki School of Newton Faculty Orchestra, the Lakes Region Symphony Orchestra, and First Coast Opera.

His work as an orchestral and studio musician includes collaborations with the Cape Ann Symphony, First Coast Opera, WGBH Studio Orchestra, the Beantown Swing Orchestra, and many others.

In addition to performance, Trevor has held teaching and leadership roles as faculty and concertmaster of the Great Woods Chamber Orchestra at Wheaton College, faculty member at the Suzuki School of Newton, and program developer and educator with both the Amelia Island Chamber Music Festival and Arts Alive Nassau.

Noelle Beaudin (piano and hurdy-gurdy) studied piano performance and composition at the Boston Conservatory and was an active performer throughout the Boston area before continuing her musical career in France and the United Kingdom. Now based in New Hampshire’s Lakes Region, she maintains a thriving teaching studio and music summer camp, while performing widely across New England as both a soloist and accompanist.

Beaudin is also recognized as one of the leading hurdy-gurdy performers and educators in the United States. As co-founder of GurdyWorld.com, her dynamic online presence has attracted a rapidly growing international following. She has released two genre-bending albums — "Savage" and "Wisp" — which showcase her innovative approach to the piano, organ and hurdy-gurdy.

She is also featured in a forthcoming film, "Downbeat," set to premiere at the SXSW Festival. 

Tickets will be sold at the door for $10 for adults, $5 for children. There will be an intermission between dances where refreshments for purchase will be served.

Call 508-439-9240 or email uuslfundraising@gmail.com for more information.