Board meetings are held on the first Tuesday of every month, 8:00pm, after the class at the VFW Hall, 630 Hood St. NE, Salem. Board meetings are open to the public. Annual or semi-annual retreats are closed work sessions.
Established in 2006, Céilí of the Valley Society’s mission is to support Irish and Celtic culture and heritage, primarily through music and dance. The Board meets monthly to plan mainly for community outreach activities and events. The meeting is open to the public.
President: Beth Nevue
My Irish great-grandmother used to dance a jig; I’m following in her footsteps. I am one of the inaugural members of the Céilí of the Valley Society. Seeing the group grow, develop a dance demonstration group, perform at community festivals, schools, assisted living facilities and private events is only possible because of the great group of people involved. I’ve been a co-host DJ for the Celtic Music Hour on KMUZ for over ten years.
Treasurer: Elisa Chandler
My “Celtic” dancing started in 1993 when my children and I joined a group (Dancing in the Isles) performing Scottish Country Dances at the Arizona Renaissance Festival. My daughter turned me on to Irish Dancing in 2003 (thereabouts) and I was a member of the Celtic Dance Academy until moving to Oregon in 2005.
After moving to Oregon, Rick and I were very fortunate to find the Céilí of the Valley Society and have been having a blast dancing with this great group! We also dance with the Eugene Scottish County Dancers and take in a Contra Dance when we can in Corvallis.
Secretary: Ginny Wedel
I’m so thrilled to discover Irish Céilí dancing so late in my life. I’ve been with Céilí of the Valley Society since 2006. Céilí of the Valley Society does a mixture of mainly Irish, Scottish, and Fun. When Carl and I visited Ireland in 2016, we got to join a polka set at a pub in Dingle.
Director-at-Large: Ann McBride
I have been a member of Céilí of the Valley since 2010. I started as a co-host of the Celtic Music Hour on KMUZ in 2011. One of my favorite tasks for Céilí of the Valley was co-writing the Ireland to Oregon exhibit at the World Beat Gallery with Carlee Wright.
Director-at-Large: David Zelmer
My wife and I joined Céilí of the Valley in 2018 and I joined the board in 2023. We first thought it would be a fun occasional date night activity but due to the wonderful members, “focus on fun, not perfection” vibe, and our general love for dancing, it quickly became an obsession.
Director-at-Large: Jessica Boone
I joined the Céilí of the Valley Society in 2016 and became a board member in 2017. Previously I was an Irish Step Dancer in Utah. I was so thankful to find this group when I moved to Oregon. Currently, my favorite dance is the Double Posties Jig!
Director-at-Large: Megan Willett
In early 2022, I attended my first CVS Tuesday night dance class. I had so much fun. The group was positive and upbeat and welcoming. I became a regular and rarely miss a class or Céilí.
