About Us

The Alpentänzer Schuhplattler - Sacramento (Alpentänzer) were founded in the mid-1970's by Richard Baltz who was a folk dance teacher at American River College in Sacramento. In 1978, due to poor health, Mr. Baltz relinquished his position as director to Gary Schultz who has subsequently directed the activities of the group to the present time. Over the years, numerous Austrian and Bavarian dance instructors have come to Sacramento to conduct dance workshops on folk dances of the Alpine regions.

In 1984, live music was added to the group with the formation of the Alpen Tanz Kapelle. Initially, the Kapelle consisted of two wonderful accordion players but now the group consists of a seven piece band including accordions, saxophone, clarinet, baritone, bass and tuba. This band accompanies the dance group at all the exhibitions.

In 1992, the members selected a club Tracht (authentic folk costume) from Salzburg, Austria - the Salzburg Marktburger Tracht. The club also has its own club Tracht and one of these Tracht costumes is worn at each of the exhibitions that are performed.

                                 

In 1994, the Alpentänzer were admitted to membership in the Gauverband Nordamerika. (see www.gauverband.com) This Gau, a grouping of 80 Bavarian and Austrian folk dance groups from the United States and Canada, is dedicated to the preservation of the Bavarian and Austrian cultures, dancing, music and Tracht.

Currently, the Alpentänzer have 34 active dancers (including 16 teenagers) and the seven piece band. There are another dozen individuals who participate in group activities but are not performing members. The group annually performs at about twenty events in Northern California and the Reno/Tahoe area of Nevada. Because the majority of the dances performed come from the Tirol and Salzburg, the Alpentänzer are identified as primarily an Austrian folk dance group.