( *subject to change* )
Lubomir SMILENOV | BULGARIAN
Lubomir Smilenov, born in Bulgaria and raised in New York City, found a unique expression of his heritage through the Kaba Gaida, the traditional Bulgarian bagpipe. He learned the intricate skills of this ancient instrument in Midtown Manhattan, where Kiril Ketev of Smolyan, Bulgaria, led a weekly Gaida workshop.
Today, Lubomir teaches at 101 Kaba Gaidi NYC, where he shares his expertise with students eager to learn the traditional music. He has performed at venues such as the MET Museum, Golden Fest, Hungarian House, and the International Bagpipe Conference, specializing in music from the Rhodope region of Southern Bulgaria. Lubomir strives to immerse his audiences and students in the vibrant musical heritage of the Gaida.
TO CONTACT LUBOMIR : [email protected]
Kavala Brass | NORTHERN GREEK
Kavala Brass Band was formed for the purpose primarily of playing music from Northern Greece (Macedonia). The Band got its name from Lefteris Bournias, whose mother comes from the city of Kavala. They have performed annually at the Zlatne Uste Golden Festival, at the EEFC Balkan Camp in Iroquois Springs, NY and at Ahmet Luleci's World Camp. They have played for several of the folk dance groups in the New York City area and for the Kosturian Society in Astoria, NY.
Belle Birchfield (baritone horn)
Lefteris Bournias (clarinet)
Morgan Clark (accordion)
Michael Ginsburg (flugelhorn)
Jerry Kisslinger (percussion)
Matt Moran (percussion)
TO CONTACT KAVALA : [email protected]
Kavala Brass Band was formed for the purpose primarily of playing music from Northern Greece (Macedonia). The Band got its name from Lefteris Bournias, whose mother comes from the city of Kavala. They have performed annually at the Zlatne Uste Golden Festival, at the EEFC Balkan Camp in Iroquois Springs, NY and at Ahmet Luleci's World Camp. They have played for several of the folk dance groups in the New York City area and for the Kosturian Society in Astoria, NY.
Belle Birchfield (baritone horn)
Lefteris Bournias (clarinet)
Morgan Clark (accordion)
Michael Ginsburg (flugelhorn)
Jerry Kisslinger (percussion)
Matt Moran (percussion)
TO CONTACT KAVALA : [email protected]
Merita Halili & Raif Hyseni | ALBANIAN
Merita Halili is one of Albania’s top performers. Born in the capital city of Tiranë, Merita grew up singing the lyric songs of her native region of Central Albania. Her nationwide debut came in 1983, at the age of 17, when she sang at the National Folk Festival in the town of Gjirokastër.
Soon afterwards she began to perform on Albanian Radio and Television and as a soloist with the State Ensemble for Folk Songs and Dances. She subsequently became one of the most popular singers in the country. Merita was among the first singers in Albania to release her own recording, which still sells briskly wherever Albanians live. Perhaps her greatest recognition came in 1995, when she was awarded first prize at a gala festival held in Tiranë in which 90 singers from throughout the Albanian diaspora participated.
The repertoire for which Merita is best known is that of the towns of Central Albania (Shqipëria e Mesme), particularly Tiranë, Elbasan, Kavajë and Durrës. As she was growing up, Merita modeled her singing not only on family music making but also on recordings of older singers. These included both taped performances housed in the Institute of Folklore in Tiranë, and performances broadcast on Albanian radio by two famous female singers of the previous generation, Hafsa Zyberi from Tiranë and Fitnete Rexha from Krujë, the latter of whom also coached her personally. In collaboration with musicians and arrangers at Albanian Radio and Television, she then developed her own approach to these songs, which includes more elaborate instrumental arrangements and full use of her prodigious range and vocal technique. More recently, Merita has recorded several newly composed songs, as well as a few popular Turkish and Rom songs. Some of her best-known performances were featured in the soundtrack for the acclaimed Italian film Lamerica.
Raif Hyseni hails from The Republic of Kosova, which has a large Albanian majority. He grew up in the town of Mitrovicë, where he studied accordion at music school and performed in amateur ensembles. Before moving to Tiranë in 1992, Raif was a well-known radio and television performer in Kosova’s capital city Prishtinë, where he performed with legendary violinist Isak Mucolli.
Through his recordings and media appearances, Raif has become known as a major innovator on the accordion, for which he has composed dozens of instrumental melodies and songs. Raif holds a Master’s degree in music from Montclair State University. He has written music for accordion, as well as songs, theater, and documentary movies. In 2014 at Montclair State Raif founded and continues to head the Balkan-Albanian Ensemble, the first of its kind at a institute of higher education.
Raif and his wife, singer Merita Halili, emigrated to the United States in 1995, and now make their home in Caldwell, New Jersey. They perform frequently around the country on numerous stages, festivals and at community weddings.
TO CONTACT RAIF HYSENI : [email protected] | www.raifhyseni.com
FOR RAIF HYSENI'S NEW CD ALBUM: https://www.raifhyseni.com/product/raif-hyseni-24/24
Merita Halili is one of Albania’s top performers. Born in the capital city of Tiranë, Merita grew up singing the lyric songs of her native region of Central Albania. Her nationwide debut came in 1983, at the age of 17, when she sang at the National Folk Festival in the town of Gjirokastër.
Soon afterwards she began to perform on Albanian Radio and Television and as a soloist with the State Ensemble for Folk Songs and Dances. She subsequently became one of the most popular singers in the country. Merita was among the first singers in Albania to release her own recording, which still sells briskly wherever Albanians live. Perhaps her greatest recognition came in 1995, when she was awarded first prize at a gala festival held in Tiranë in which 90 singers from throughout the Albanian diaspora participated.
The repertoire for which Merita is best known is that of the towns of Central Albania (Shqipëria e Mesme), particularly Tiranë, Elbasan, Kavajë and Durrës. As she was growing up, Merita modeled her singing not only on family music making but also on recordings of older singers. These included both taped performances housed in the Institute of Folklore in Tiranë, and performances broadcast on Albanian radio by two famous female singers of the previous generation, Hafsa Zyberi from Tiranë and Fitnete Rexha from Krujë, the latter of whom also coached her personally. In collaboration with musicians and arrangers at Albanian Radio and Television, she then developed her own approach to these songs, which includes more elaborate instrumental arrangements and full use of her prodigious range and vocal technique. More recently, Merita has recorded several newly composed songs, as well as a few popular Turkish and Rom songs. Some of her best-known performances were featured in the soundtrack for the acclaimed Italian film Lamerica.
Raif Hyseni hails from The Republic of Kosova, which has a large Albanian majority. He grew up in the town of Mitrovicë, where he studied accordion at music school and performed in amateur ensembles. Before moving to Tiranë in 1992, Raif was a well-known radio and television performer in Kosova’s capital city Prishtinë, where he performed with legendary violinist Isak Mucolli.
Through his recordings and media appearances, Raif has become known as a major innovator on the accordion, for which he has composed dozens of instrumental melodies and songs. Raif holds a Master’s degree in music from Montclair State University. He has written music for accordion, as well as songs, theater, and documentary movies. In 2014 at Montclair State Raif founded and continues to head the Balkan-Albanian Ensemble, the first of its kind at a institute of higher education.
Raif and his wife, singer Merita Halili, emigrated to the United States in 1995, and now make their home in Caldwell, New Jersey. They perform frequently around the country on numerous stages, festivals and at community weddings.
TO CONTACT RAIF HYSENI : [email protected] | www.raifhyseni.com
FOR RAIF HYSENI'S NEW CD ALBUM: https://www.raifhyseni.com/product/raif-hyseni-24/24
Christos TIKTAPANIDIS | GREEK
Christos Tiktapanidis, a native of Drama in northern Greece, learned to play from his grandfather who was a famed lyra player in the town of Argyroupolis in the Pontic region of Anatolia. One of a handful of musicians who play the Pontic lyra in the United States, he has recently begun to introduce his two-year-old godson to the tradition! He is a member of the Komninoi Pontian Association of Astoria, NY where he plays regularly.
Tom PIXTON | BALKAN ACCORDION
Tom Pixton plays traditional music for International, Balkan, and Scottish dance events. He has worked with many of today's most accomplished dance teachers and musicians as accordionist, pianist, band leader, music arranger, singer, and CD producer.
Tom provides music and music leadership for dance camps, workshops, and special events in the US and Canada. He is band leader annually for June Camp (Illinois), Mainewoods (Maine), and Stockton Folkdance Camp (California). He has worked with Royal Scottish Country Dance Society branches in Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, New Haven, and New York, Cambridge Revels, the Folk Arts Center of New England, and many organizations around the US and Canada.
Tom has studied accordion with Petur Ralchev, Koliu Kolev, Bobby Brown, Steve Riley, and Bois Sec Ardoin, and voice with Tatiana Srbinska. He has produced CDs with Flying Tomatoes, BiCoastal Band, and Pinewoods Band. His Scottish recordings include Scottish in Salem (with Lissa Schneckenberger), Saucy Bess: The Piper’s Weird (with Catherine Miller, and Mike MacNintch), and Live From C Sharp, a 2-CD set recorded live at Scottish Pinewoods 2010, with an all-star cast.
Tom plays a custom-built 4/5 96-bass Guerrini Classic, tuned to A=440Hz, with double tone chamber, dry tuning, and custom reed switch configuration. It is a magnificent instrument on which any music comes to life with penetrating intensity. It is equipped with the Limex wireless microphone and MIDI system.
Tom publishes the Pinewoods International Collection, a 400-page book of folk dance tunes and songs from around the world. The book has become widely known as a major source of dance music and as a reference volume.
Tom was a harpsichord player and maker between 1977 and 1984, and studied with Gustav Leonhardt and Louis Bagger. He performed throughout the US, made a variety of recordings, and built 18 harpsichords. In 1991, he decided that the accordion was way more fun.
Tom graduated from Brandeis University in 1976 with a degree in music. When not playing music, Tom works as a freelance web strategist in the higher education and non-profit space.
TO CONTACT TOM PIXTON : [email protected] | www.pixton.org
FOR TOM PIXTON'S PUBLICATION "Pinewoods International Collection": https://pinewoodscollection.pixton.org
Tom provides music and music leadership for dance camps, workshops, and special events in the US and Canada. He is band leader annually for June Camp (Illinois), Mainewoods (Maine), and Stockton Folkdance Camp (California). He has worked with Royal Scottish Country Dance Society branches in Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, New Haven, and New York, Cambridge Revels, the Folk Arts Center of New England, and many organizations around the US and Canada.
Tom has studied accordion with Petur Ralchev, Koliu Kolev, Bobby Brown, Steve Riley, and Bois Sec Ardoin, and voice with Tatiana Srbinska. He has produced CDs with Flying Tomatoes, BiCoastal Band, and Pinewoods Band. His Scottish recordings include Scottish in Salem (with Lissa Schneckenberger), Saucy Bess: The Piper’s Weird (with Catherine Miller, and Mike MacNintch), and Live From C Sharp, a 2-CD set recorded live at Scottish Pinewoods 2010, with an all-star cast.
Tom plays a custom-built 4/5 96-bass Guerrini Classic, tuned to A=440Hz, with double tone chamber, dry tuning, and custom reed switch configuration. It is a magnificent instrument on which any music comes to life with penetrating intensity. It is equipped with the Limex wireless microphone and MIDI system.
Tom publishes the Pinewoods International Collection, a 400-page book of folk dance tunes and songs from around the world. The book has become widely known as a major source of dance music and as a reference volume.
Tom was a harpsichord player and maker between 1977 and 1984, and studied with Gustav Leonhardt and Louis Bagger. He performed throughout the US, made a variety of recordings, and built 18 harpsichords. In 1991, he decided that the accordion was way more fun.
Tom graduated from Brandeis University in 1976 with a degree in music. When not playing music, Tom works as a freelance web strategist in the higher education and non-profit space.
TO CONTACT TOM PIXTON : [email protected] | www.pixton.org
FOR TOM PIXTON'S PUBLICATION "Pinewoods International Collection": https://pinewoodscollection.pixton.org
Ralph IVERSON | BALKAN
Ralph is an engineer by day, musician by night, Ralph Iverson has performed for folk dancing since 1985.
His main instruments are gadulka and violin. He also plays viola, flute, whistle, saxophone, tambura, kaval, brač, lijerica, kemençe, and other instruments.
He plays classical and modern music in the Waltham Philharmonic Orchestra, and inthe New England Philharmonic. Starting in 2011, Ralph has submitted compositions six times to a competition “Bulgarian New Music in 7/8,” generally winning second or third place honors.
TO CONTACT RALPH IVERSON : [email protected]
His main instruments are gadulka and violin. He also plays viola, flute, whistle, saxophone, tambura, kaval, brač, lijerica, kemençe, and other instruments.
He plays classical and modern music in the Waltham Philharmonic Orchestra, and inthe New England Philharmonic. Starting in 2011, Ralph has submitted compositions six times to a competition “Bulgarian New Music in 7/8,” generally winning second or third place honors.
TO CONTACT RALPH IVERSON : [email protected]
Matt MORAN | HOUSE PERCUSSIONIST
Vibraphonist and tunesmith Matt Moran "plays the vibraphone like a speed-chess master, always darting off into flurries of ingenious, unexpected activity" (Village Voice). Although he was named "Rising Star" on vibraphone by the 2014 Downbeat Critics Poll, Moran is just as often known for his work as the drummer and bandleader for brass band Slavic Soul Party! His career exists in diverse musical environments, from chamber music to jazz to Balkan folk music, and evinces a dedication to music education for incarcerated people.
Moran has released 10 albums as a leader, and performed on nearly 100 albums by other artists, including Sufjan Stevens, Theo Bleckmann, William Parker, Ellery Eskelin, and Luciana Souza. His longtime collaboration with percussionist/composer John Hollenbeck has been documented on 8 recordings by Hollenbeck's Claudia Quintet as well as recordings of his Large Ensemble and chamber music. Lengthy relationships are a hallmark of Moran's style: in addition to Slavic Soul Party!'s 20 years of music making, he has worked for many years with the artists Nate Wooley, Curtis Hasselbring, Daniel Levin, Brian Shankar Adler, Peter Hess, Raif Hyseni, Bojan Vuletic, and Mat Maneri.
For the past decade, Moran has been an educator and performer for Carnegie Hall's Weill Music Institute, with a special focus on education, creation, and performance for New Yorkers in many different parts of the judicial system. Currently he co-leads Carnegie Hall's music education program at Sing Sing Correctional Facility.
Moran has a Master's degree in jazz composition from New England Conservatory where he studied with composer and improviser Joseph Maneri, and a Bachelor's degree in jazz composition from Berklee College of Music where he studied with Ed Saindon and Gary Burton.
TO CONTACT MATT MORAN: [email protected] | https://mattmoran.com
Moran has released 10 albums as a leader, and performed on nearly 100 albums by other artists, including Sufjan Stevens, Theo Bleckmann, William Parker, Ellery Eskelin, and Luciana Souza. His longtime collaboration with percussionist/composer John Hollenbeck has been documented on 8 recordings by Hollenbeck's Claudia Quintet as well as recordings of his Large Ensemble and chamber music. Lengthy relationships are a hallmark of Moran's style: in addition to Slavic Soul Party!'s 20 years of music making, he has worked for many years with the artists Nate Wooley, Curtis Hasselbring, Daniel Levin, Brian Shankar Adler, Peter Hess, Raif Hyseni, Bojan Vuletic, and Mat Maneri.
For the past decade, Moran has been an educator and performer for Carnegie Hall's Weill Music Institute, with a special focus on education, creation, and performance for New Yorkers in many different parts of the judicial system. Currently he co-leads Carnegie Hall's music education program at Sing Sing Correctional Facility.
Moran has a Master's degree in jazz composition from New England Conservatory where he studied with composer and improviser Joseph Maneri, and a Bachelor's degree in jazz composition from Berklee College of Music where he studied with Ed Saindon and Gary Burton.
TO CONTACT MATT MORAN: [email protected] | https://mattmoran.com
