Ray Brendzy Featured Caller
Ray was born and raised in Vancouver, BC. He has been dancing for 60 years, and calling for 58 of those years. He is married to Christine and they have two children, Nicholas (27) and Caitlyn (25). Ray was a teacher and administrator with the Vancouver School Board for 37 years, and Christine recently retired after 37 years of teaching as well. Nicholas and Caitlyn are both working in the school system and they call and cue for their own square and round dance clubs. The Brendzys are truly a square dance family and are great ambassadors for our activity. Ray currently calls for five clubs, and Nicholas and Caitlyn call and cue for their own two clubs, and cue for three others. They often travel as a family to dance events and enjoy sharing the stage and presenting some great harmony together. Ray calls from beginners to C3B and he has traveled throughout Canada and the United States. He has also called in Japan, England, Germany, and Sweden. When he was in the classroom, Ray enjoyed teaching Grade 7 and he incorporated square dance lessons into his school, organizing an afternoon of dance event for the community. He gave workshops in his school district to fellow teachers on professional days for many years. Ray has been retired from teaching for the past eight years, and this has allowed him to devote more time to the promotion of his favorite activity and to learn higher-level round dances with Christine.
Ray is well known for his teaching ability in the square dance community. He loves to create interesting material for the dance community, and enjoys performing on stage. Ray also loves to sing, and he especially likes to share the stage with Nicholas and Caitlyn. He runs a youth dance program, as well as teaches classes at the beginner/SSD level, mainstream, plus, advanced and challenge levels. Ray has also trained many callers over the years in the art of calling with the hope that by doing so, he can keep our activity alive and thriving.
Ray is a member of CallerLab, and serves as a member of the Board of Governors. He is the Chair of the Advanced Committee and participates on the Mainstream, Plus, Challenge, and Definitions Committees. He is the co-chair of the BC provincial festival in July 2025, and is the program chair for the Canadian National, which will be in Penticton, BC, in 2026. Ray hopes that by contributing in a leadership role, he can help keep square dancing alive around the world. He records for Lou Mac records, and enjoys his time in the recording studio. Ray loves traveling, hiking, dancing, skiing, and travelling in the family’s trailer. Now that Christine has retired, the couple plans on enjoying dancing and calling around the world.
Ray is excited to be on staff and looks forward to calling for you.