Mary Ann Brehm, PhD is a dance teaching artist/author focusing on creative, somatic approaches to dance. President of Mettler Studios, she co-directs their Mettler-based Dance Apprentice Program and Teacher Trainings in Tucson and for students in Indonesia and Vietnam via Zoom. She is the author of Foundations of Barbara Mettler’s Approach to Dance: Principles and Teaching Guidelines (2021) and co-author of Creative Dance and Learning: Making the Kinesthetic Link. (2008, 2015).Mary Ann is also past president of the International Association for Creative Dance. She has taught dance courses for several universities, was a dance teaching artist in public schools for 20 years, and offers intensive workshops throughout the United States or on Zoom. Her doctoral researched focused on teaching principles of Margaret H’Doubler. 

Patricia Carhart Collins is a Certified Noyes Teacher. She currently serves as a Rhythm Director and teacher for the Noyes School summer program. A past member of the Board of Directors for several terms, Patricia is currently a member of the Noyes Faculty Steering Committee. Her outreach work includes presenting on Noyes Rhythm at NDEO and NAEYC Conferences, and workshops at colleges and universities, and in community settings. Patricia was the Rhythm Director for the Noyes children’s program, where she taught theatre and Noyes Rhythm. Patricia holds a BA in the Performing Arts from Hampshire College, where she created and performed a one-woman show about the painter Georgia O’Keeffe.

What to Wear for Movement Sessions

Mettler-based Dance and Noyes Rhythm each have customary dress.  We encourage you to bring and wear dance clothing that reflects these traditions.

Saturday--Mettler-based Dance  Please wear solid black or dark colored garments that are easy to move in without designs or lettering.  This allows the movement form to be more easily be seen.  No jewelry. Dancing is done in bare feet unless health conditions or the dance surface require otherwise.

Sunday--Noyes Rhythm  Florence Fleming Noyes established the tradition of wearing tunics of varying lengths and colors. This costume reflects the Greek ideals of simplicity and beauty from which Noyes Rhythm takes its inspiration. The tunic is graceful in movement and can be as simple as two lengths of flowing material tied at the shoulders.  There are tunics that can be borrowed on site, although they are easy to make.  For movement classes, please wear a leotard or similar underlayer with a tunic and, if cold, leggings and “woppity” (soft poncho). Solid, hand-dyed and non-patterned fabrics are preferred as they help us to feel more part of our natural surroundings. We shed our jewelry before movement classes to encourage freer movement, prevent injury, and protect the dance floor.

What to Bring

• Dance outfits
• Comfortable layers for dancing and around camp.
• At least one warm sleeping garment.
• A raincoat or poncho and waterproof footwear.
• If you plan to hike, it is recommended that you bring a pair of lightweight long pants and long-sleeved shirt.
• Non-slip sandals or sneakers.
• A flashlight  and usual toiletries.
• A bathing suit, a sweater, shorts and a top.
• Bed linen and towels, and blankets.  If you are traveling by plane or other public transportation, please let us know and we can help with bedding items to big to bring with you.  Some bedding and linens can be borrowed for a small fee, Contact p.carhart@verizon.net.
• For added comfort: your personal pillow and a mattress topper. We provide cots with a thin mattress, a pillow, and blankets.
• Ziploc bags for electronics in our humid conditions.
• Bug repellent if desired
• Your own food, which can be stored and prepared in our kitchen.

Where to Get Food

Adams Hometown Market (4 miles away)  Portland
Super Stop and Shop  (5 miles away) East Hampton 
Its Only Natural (6 miles away) Middletown

Whole Foods  (11 miles away)  Glastonbury

Several restaurants in Portland

Directions and Transportation

By Car

From the North or East:

Take 91 South to Hartford and 84 East (left exit); or take 84 South from the Mass. Pike (Sturbridge exit). Take Rt. 2 East. (left exit) Take RT. 17 South (left exit) towards Portland. Stay on RT 17 through junction at 17A to the intersection to Rt. 66 at light. Turn left onto Rt. 66. Go about 3 miles to the intersection of 66 and 151 (center of Cobalt.) Continue with local directions from RT 66 and 151.

From the South and West:

Take 91 North; or Merritt Parkway to 91 or 84 to 691 to 91. Take Rt. 66 into Middletown and continue on 66 across the bridge to Portland. Stay on RT. 66. Just past the Esso Gas Station on the right, turn Right onto RT 66. Stay on Rt. 66 for 8 miles until you reach a light at the junction of 66 and 151 in the center of Cobalt. Continue with local directions below.

Local Directions from Rt. 66 and 151:

On Rt. 66, at the junction of RT 151 you are in the very small town of Cobalt (grocery store, gas station and post office on the corner). Turn left onto Depot Hill Rd. Bear left at next little intersection onto Old Middletown Rd. Bear right at the next intersection and go uphill onto Penfield Hill Rd. Go approximately 1 mile. Just past Pepperidge Rd. on your left you’ll see a white house with a white picket fence on the right. That is the Shepherd’s Nine—the Noyes School, #245. Drive in the second gate. You are at the right place! Welcome!

GPS has been helpful for most guests, though not always directly to our gate. Check the address!

Where do I park my car?

Parking is available in the campers’ parking area located on Penfield Hill Road halfway between Shepherd’s Nine and Shepherd’s Green. Parking alongside the farmhouse is for staff and just-arriving guests only.

By Bus, Train, Plane:

Using Public Transportation

You may reach the area via bus, train or plane. Amtrak to Meriden, CT is the closest but you may also choose a bus to Hartford or New Britain, a train to New Haven or a flight to Hartford. Please buy round-trip tickets if possible, as stations in these locations are not always open for ticket purchase.

Transportation to/from Shepherd’s Nine

To arrange for pick-up and/or drop-off: please make arrangements directly with our local taxi services such as uber or lyft.