Alene Boyar started doing modern dance and square dance when she was in high school. At that time she was taught several international folk dances. Unfortunately, the instructor never explained what those dances were, but she knew she liked them even better than the square dances. Approximately four years later, when she was in college, she was had the opportunity to attend a folk dance session and discovered both what the dances she had previously learned were, and that there were many more such dances that could be learned. She was hooked at that first session! She hasn’t stopped folk dancing since. Alene also has done Contra dancing and continues to take ballet classes. She leads the international folk dance groups in Rochester, NY along with her husband Charles and fellow dancer Sarada George.

Charles Boyar would often hang out at the student union on Sunday nights when he was a student at the University of Rochester. This was where Israeli dancing was held. A friend, after a few weeks of trying, finally convinced him to try dancing. He kept going and got better at it. Then one summer, when he was on campus, he heard music on the quad and discovered International Folk Dancing. He has been dancing ever since. He also has done a bit of Contra dancing but International is what he likes best. His main role in leading the groups in Rochester, NY is to provide music although he does lead some dances and, very occasionally, will teach a dance.