WORLD SPRING CAMP 2021 MUSIC ARTISTS
(**subject to change**)
Angel Dobrev & Konstantin Marinov | BULGARIA
Angel Dobrev was born in the town of Omurtag in Bulgaria. He plays the gudulka (Bulgarian: гъдулка),
which is a traditional Bulgarian bowed stringed instrument. He expressed an interest in Bulgarian folk music
from an early age, and started taking private gudulka lessons at age 8. His interest and love for Bulgarian
folk music deepened even more and led him to pursue a musical education. Angel graduated from of the famous
Folk-Art Music School “Philip Kutev” in Kotel, and later earned his Masters Degree specializing in gudulka
and folk ensemble conducting from the Academy for Music and Dance Arts in Plovdiv.
Angel was a soloist and performer with the of the Academy Folk Orchestra during his studies.
He also earned first place at a gudulka playing competition. Angel has performed with ensembles and groups at various
international folk Festivals in Greece, Italy, Moldova, Macedonia, Turkey, and at the International Folk Festival in Branson, MO.
Since 2001 Angel has lived in Chicago, where he is very happy to help keep the heritage of Bulgarian
folk music alive. In the United States, he plays at various Bulgarian cultural events, Bulgarian schools,
Balkan music festivals, restaurants, and private events. He performs with the “Balkanski Ritmi” band,
and participates annually in the Chicago Spring Festival organized by Balkanski Igri. There he performs and also
teaches gudulka to people who are interested in and enthusiastic about learning to play this distinctive stringed instrument.
TO CONTACT : Angel Dobrev - angelart_bg@yahoo.com | Konstantin Marinov - kmarinov5@gmail.com
Brenna MacCrimmon | TURKISH / BALKAN
Based in Toronto Canada, Brenna MacCrimmon has been studying and performing the music of Turkey and
the Balkans since the early 1980’s. She has performed in Turkey and abroad with Selim Sesler and Karsılama
(traditional Turkish Gypsy), Muammer Ketencoğlu (trad Balkan) and experimental rock group Baba Zula.
She has also toured across Europe with Balkan beat DJ Shantel and the Bucovina Club Orkestra.
She has recorded with the above musicians and has appeared as a guest on many diverse albums
and film soundtracks in Canada, the US (including Balkan dance band extraordinaire Edessa) and Europe.
She is a featured performer in “Crossing the Bridge’’, Fatih Akın’s 2005 documentary of the Istanbul music scene.
In 2010, she found herself in Moscow as a member of the cast of Bobble with Bobby McFerrin. Her theatre work includes
musical director of the award-winning Volcano production of Goodness. She recently created and directed music for
the Soulpepper production of Sina Gilani’s recreation of Wedding at Aulis. In addition to singing with vocal
quartet Turkwaz, she plays with Zephyr (Demetrios Petsalakis and Jaash Singh), delves into the roots of jazz
and blues with pianist Bill Westcott as the Ragtime Orioles, travels widely to teach and perform
and has much to do with ukuleles. During Covid she has been working with MabelleArts to create meaningful
community arts programming online with diverse groups of participants. With the generous support of a Chalmer’s
Fellowship she has recently been exploring her Scottish-Canadian roots.
TO CONTACT BRENNA MACCRIMMON : brennamacc@gmail.com | www.greengoatmusic.ca
Based in Toronto Canada, Brenna MacCrimmon has been studying and performing the music of Turkey and
the Balkans since the early 1980’s. She has performed in Turkey and abroad with Selim Sesler and Karsılama
(traditional Turkish Gypsy), Muammer Ketencoğlu (trad Balkan) and experimental rock group Baba Zula.
She has also toured across Europe with Balkan beat DJ Shantel and the Bucovina Club Orkestra.
She has recorded with the above musicians and has appeared as a guest on many diverse albums
and film soundtracks in Canada, the US (including Balkan dance band extraordinaire Edessa) and Europe.
She is a featured performer in “Crossing the Bridge’’, Fatih Akın’s 2005 documentary of the Istanbul music scene.
In 2010, she found herself in Moscow as a member of the cast of Bobble with Bobby McFerrin. Her theatre work includes
musical director of the award-winning Volcano production of Goodness. She recently created and directed music for
the Soulpepper production of Sina Gilani’s recreation of Wedding at Aulis. In addition to singing with vocal
quartet Turkwaz, she plays with Zephyr (Demetrios Petsalakis and Jaash Singh), delves into the roots of jazz
and blues with pianist Bill Westcott as the Ragtime Orioles, travels widely to teach and perform
and has much to do with ukuleles. During Covid she has been working with MabelleArts to create meaningful
community arts programming online with diverse groups of participants. With the generous support of a Chalmer’s
Fellowship she has recently been exploring her Scottish-Canadian roots.
TO CONTACT BRENNA MACCRIMMON : brennamacc@gmail.com | www.greengoatmusic.ca
Chris Bajmakovich | NORTHERN MACEDONIA
Chris Bajmakovich, born in Chicago into a Macedonian Rom family, began playing accordion at age 5.
He first professionally performed with a band at age 14, and gave solo performances in smaller venues,
playing at weddings, christenings, church dances, and private parties, primarily in the large
Balkan immigrant communities of Chicago.
He also toured throughout the US with Macedonian singers. Bajmakovich has performed with many
well-known musicians, including Ferus Mustafov, Milan Zavkov and Sasko Velkoy.
He performed at VOR's 2006 International Roma Day event and has recorded several CDs.
TO CONTACT CHRIS BAJMAKOVICH : (219)776-4266 | chrisbajmakovich@yahoo.com
Christos Tiktapanidis | GREEK / PONTIAN
Chris is from the village of Sitagroi in Greek Macedonia.
He began playing lyra at the age of ten. His first lyra was a Christmas gift from his father.
His first teacher was his grandfather, Yiannis Stefanidis. When his grandfather died two years later,
Chris began the weekly ritual of bus trips to the town of Drama to study with Pavlos Tornikidis.
Chris began playing for weddings, christenings and parties in Drama at the age of 15.
He also played for many local dance groups and traveled to Italy and France with one of
these groups for folklore festivals.
Since coming to the US, Chris has played for many Greek folk dance groups in the New York area and
Internationaldance camps around the country. He certainly is one of the regular and most
popular musician at world camp.
TO CONTACT CHRISTOS TIKTAPANIDIS : tiktapanidis@yahoo.com
Dimitris Paraschos Band | GREEK
Dimitris Paraschos, a self-taught traditional clarinet player, was born in Ptolemaida, Kozani. Later he settled with his family in
Alexandria, Imathia. Originating from the Vlach village of Voio Kozani. Today, Dimitris Paraschos feels lucky to have parallel
experiences and musical backgrounds from different places, elements that have influenced his choices.
In his youth he experimented with the sound of the clarinet, sometimes the saxophone, mainly with the intent to perform
melodies from his birthplace. His involvement with traditional music led him to a deeper understanding of Central and Western
Greek Macedonia, as his personal identity seems to be stronger here due to his origin.
Influenced by the old school of musicians and although self-taught, with the musical group he maintains he has recorded
more than 40 CDs. In addition to being a great musician and band leader, he has recently published a fascinating book called
“Identity, myth and reality,” focusing on Vlach populations in two villages from the prefecture of Kozani.
Dimitris Parasxos: clarinet, vocals
Thomas Grigoropoulos: vocals
Yiannis Litsios: vocals
Maria Hatzioannidou: vocals
Thomas Tsiotikas: violin, vocals
Petros Pipiliaris: keyboard
Andonis Papadopoulos: daouli
Thodoros Sitaras: cornet
Valeri Minchev: saxophone
Nikos Kardoyiannis: trombone
TO CONTACT DIMITRI'S PARASCHOS : tusia@otenet.gr
Dimitris Paraschos, a self-taught traditional clarinet player, was born in Ptolemaida, Kozani. Later he settled with his family in
Alexandria, Imathia. Originating from the Vlach village of Voio Kozani. Today, Dimitris Paraschos feels lucky to have parallel
experiences and musical backgrounds from different places, elements that have influenced his choices.
In his youth he experimented with the sound of the clarinet, sometimes the saxophone, mainly with the intent to perform
melodies from his birthplace. His involvement with traditional music led him to a deeper understanding of Central and Western
Greek Macedonia, as his personal identity seems to be stronger here due to his origin.
Influenced by the old school of musicians and although self-taught, with the musical group he maintains he has recorded
more than 40 CDs. In addition to being a great musician and band leader, he has recently published a fascinating book called
“Identity, myth and reality,” focusing on Vlach populations in two villages from the prefecture of Kozani.
Dimitris Parasxos: clarinet, vocals
Thomas Grigoropoulos: vocals
Yiannis Litsios: vocals
Maria Hatzioannidou: vocals
Thomas Tsiotikas: violin, vocals
Petros Pipiliaris: keyboard
Andonis Papadopoulos: daouli
Thodoros Sitaras: cornet
Valeri Minchev: saxophone
Nikos Kardoyiannis: trombone
TO CONTACT DIMITRI'S PARASCHOS : tusia@otenet.gr
Edessa | BALKAN & BEYOND
They have an incredibly wide range of styles and dances, as well as soulful and fiery playing you won't want to miss.
Members of EDESSA have dedicated their lives to their music, and they play music from Albania, Greece, Bulgaria,
Macedonia, Armenia, and Turkey, and music of the Balkan Roma (Gypsy).
Using both traditional and modern instruments, they perform in a variety of styles,
featuring long sets that interweave melodies and improvisation and a beat with dancers in mind.
The sounds of the ensemble include the ancient and mesmerizing music of the zurna and davul;
the lyrical and sweet music of the Greek islands; the haunting, trance-like pentatonic music of Epirus;
and-at the other end of the acoustic spectrum-the sizzling, contemporary Bulgarian
fusion known simply as "wedding music."
Édessa is George Chittenden on clarinet, gaida (bagpipe), zurna (shawm), and guitar,
Lise Liepman on santouri (hammered dulcimer) and accordion,
Ari Langer on violin,
Sean Tergis on percussion,
and bassist Paul Brown.
TO CONTACT EDESSA : lisegeorge@mac.com
They have an incredibly wide range of styles and dances, as well as soulful and fiery playing you won't want to miss.
Members of EDESSA have dedicated their lives to their music, and they play music from Albania, Greece, Bulgaria,
Macedonia, Armenia, and Turkey, and music of the Balkan Roma (Gypsy).
Using both traditional and modern instruments, they perform in a variety of styles,
featuring long sets that interweave melodies and improvisation and a beat with dancers in mind.
The sounds of the ensemble include the ancient and mesmerizing music of the zurna and davul;
the lyrical and sweet music of the Greek islands; the haunting, trance-like pentatonic music of Epirus;
and-at the other end of the acoustic spectrum-the sizzling, contemporary Bulgarian
fusion known simply as "wedding music."
Édessa is George Chittenden on clarinet, gaida (bagpipe), zurna (shawm), and guitar,
Lise Liepman on santouri (hammered dulcimer) and accordion,
Ari Langer on violin,
Sean Tergis on percussion,
and bassist Paul Brown.
TO CONTACT EDESSA : lisegeorge@mac.com
Esma's Band Next Generation | ROM & NORTHERN MACEDONIA
Esma's Band Next Generation continues the legacy left by the great Esma Redepova, the Queen of Gypsy Music.
Made up entirely of members of Esmas famed Ensemble Teodosievski, and fronted by her daughter,
Eleonora Mustafovska, the band purveys irresistible Gipsy Dance from Macedonia in Esmas style and honor.
As members of Esmas Ensemble Teodosievski, the band has performed many thousands of concerts all over the world,
performing their own blend of pop music based on gypsy and Balkan songs and melodies.
Following Esmas death on 11th December 2016, the band continued touring, delighting crowds around
Europe with dance music from the heart of Macedonia, exploring the intricacies of rhythm and sound.
https://www.facebook.com/Esmasbandnextgeneration/ | https://www.facebook.com/simeon.atanasov.927
TO CONTACT ESMA'S BAND NEXT GENERATION : Simeon Atanasov +389 75 360 050 | simeonacc@yahoo.com
Esma's Band Next Generation continues the legacy left by the great Esma Redepova, the Queen of Gypsy Music.
Made up entirely of members of Esmas famed Ensemble Teodosievski, and fronted by her daughter,
Eleonora Mustafovska, the band purveys irresistible Gipsy Dance from Macedonia in Esmas style and honor.
As members of Esmas Ensemble Teodosievski, the band has performed many thousands of concerts all over the world,
performing their own blend of pop music based on gypsy and Balkan songs and melodies.
Following Esmas death on 11th December 2016, the band continued touring, delighting crowds around
Europe with dance music from the heart of Macedonia, exploring the intricacies of rhythm and sound.
https://www.facebook.com/Esmasbandnextgeneration/ | https://www.facebook.com/simeon.atanasov.927
TO CONTACT ESMA'S BAND NEXT GENERATION : Simeon Atanasov +389 75 360 050 | simeonacc@yahoo.com
Hasan Isakkut & Merve Sari | TURKISH
Hasan ISAKKUT was born in Adana, Turkey. His father being an ud player, Hasan started learning how to play
the kanun and the violin when he was 8. At the age of 18, he continued his music life in Istanbul and worked with
renowned musicians and singers. He was 26 when he went to Vienna and Frankfurt to work as a musician.
After spending two years in Europe, he moved to New York in 1989 to pursue his childhood dream. As a composer and
an instrumentalist, he worked with Brian Keane, Omar Faruk Tekbilek, Simon Shaheen, Richie Haven, Ara Dinkjian,
Arto Tunçboyacıyan in joint projects in performance venues like Carnegie Hall. Hasan’s one of the most renowned
compositions ‘’I love you’’ was included in Omar Faruk Tekbilek’s album called "One Truth" and an album called
"Buddha Bar Volume 2" released in 2000 also included Hasan’s composition.
A Turkish Art Music Singer Muazzez Ersoy performed Hasan’s composition in her album named ‘’Seni Seviyorum’’,
which translates to Turkish as ‘’I love you’’. In 2011, a worldwide known Turkish clarinet player Hüsnü Şenlendirici
also played this song in his album named "Hüsn-ü Hicaz". Isakkut was also the music director of a well-known
Turkish music drama, "Kanlı Nigar", which was staged in Town Hall Theatre-Broadway in 2008. He performed
as a violinist in a Turkish musical named "Hisseli Harikalar Kumpanyası" by
Haldun Dormen, which was staged in Beacon Theatre-Broadway in 2009.
As a kanun player, violinist and a composer, he has presented a music series of Middle Eastern Jazz, Classical Turkish
Music and new age with his albums "Kibar" (2005) and "Hayat 1 Hayat" (2009). Six of his well-known compositions were
re-arranged and released in an instrumental album called “Hegira” in 2013, including 4 compositions of Ara Dinkjian.
Other precious musicians in the album are Ercan Irmak (ney -flute- player) and Chris Rosser (pianist and arranger).
His recent album called “Journey” was launched in February 2020 and can be listened on Spotify.
Hasan Isakkut is a member of MSG (a union to protect royalties of authors, composers, arrangers, and publishers in Turkey) and
ASCAP (The American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers), and his compositions have been performed by international
artists all over the world. Along with making music, Hasan Isakkut also gives kanun lessons in international music camps.
TO CONTACT HASAN ISAKKUT : hasanisakkut@gmail.com
Merve SARI was born in Zonguldak, Turkey (in Western Black Sea Region). She began singing at the age of eight
with her father at home, and then took piano courses. During her primary education, she sang Turkish folk music in school choirs.
After moving to Istanbul, she received the first rank award among female voices in Istanbul in a "Voice Competition in Classical
Turkish Music" which was organized by the Ministry of National Education in Turkey in May 2005. She also performed as a
soloist in Youth Choir of Classical Turkish Music, which was conducted by a renowned singer in this genre,
Ms. Serap Mutlu Akbulut in TRT Istanbul Radio Station between 2005 and 2011.
In 2009, she graduated as a fully granted, top honor student from Haliç University in Istanbul, studying International
Trade and Business Administration. During her undergraduate degree, she took vocal courses at the same university's
Turkish Music Conservatory by Ms. Sehnaz Rizeli and attended repertory courses of Prof. Dr. Alaeddin Yavasca, living
legend in Classical Turkish Music as a composer and a classical singer. Merve received master's in Knowledge
and Innovation Management (MBA) from Yeditepe University, Istanbul with a specific interest in social media
analysis as a fully granted, honor student. At Yeditepe, she sang in Classical Turkish Music choir, conducted by
Mr. Mithat Ozyilmazel and sang Turkish tangos with the piano professor Mr. Islam Manafov at the university.
Merve moved to the United States in November 2013. Since then, she has been performing with
Turkish composer and kanun player Mr. Hasan Isakkut and many famous musicians (Omer Faruk Tekbilek,
Ara Dinkjian, Yuri Yunakov, etc) in special occasions, such as Turkish culture festivals and concerts in the U.S.
She took vocal performance seminar classes at The Juilliard School in evening division in 2014. In 2018,
she was admitted to the Voice Department at Berklee College of Music.
TO CONTACT MERVE SARI : mervens@gmail.com
Hasan ISAKKUT was born in Adana, Turkey. His father being an ud player, Hasan started learning how to play
the kanun and the violin when he was 8. At the age of 18, he continued his music life in Istanbul and worked with
renowned musicians and singers. He was 26 when he went to Vienna and Frankfurt to work as a musician.
After spending two years in Europe, he moved to New York in 1989 to pursue his childhood dream. As a composer and
an instrumentalist, he worked with Brian Keane, Omar Faruk Tekbilek, Simon Shaheen, Richie Haven, Ara Dinkjian,
Arto Tunçboyacıyan in joint projects in performance venues like Carnegie Hall. Hasan’s one of the most renowned
compositions ‘’I love you’’ was included in Omar Faruk Tekbilek’s album called "One Truth" and an album called
"Buddha Bar Volume 2" released in 2000 also included Hasan’s composition.
A Turkish Art Music Singer Muazzez Ersoy performed Hasan’s composition in her album named ‘’Seni Seviyorum’’,
which translates to Turkish as ‘’I love you’’. In 2011, a worldwide known Turkish clarinet player Hüsnü Şenlendirici
also played this song in his album named "Hüsn-ü Hicaz". Isakkut was also the music director of a well-known
Turkish music drama, "Kanlı Nigar", which was staged in Town Hall Theatre-Broadway in 2008. He performed
as a violinist in a Turkish musical named "Hisseli Harikalar Kumpanyası" by
Haldun Dormen, which was staged in Beacon Theatre-Broadway in 2009.
As a kanun player, violinist and a composer, he has presented a music series of Middle Eastern Jazz, Classical Turkish
Music and new age with his albums "Kibar" (2005) and "Hayat 1 Hayat" (2009). Six of his well-known compositions were
re-arranged and released in an instrumental album called “Hegira” in 2013, including 4 compositions of Ara Dinkjian.
Other precious musicians in the album are Ercan Irmak (ney -flute- player) and Chris Rosser (pianist and arranger).
His recent album called “Journey” was launched in February 2020 and can be listened on Spotify.
Hasan Isakkut is a member of MSG (a union to protect royalties of authors, composers, arrangers, and publishers in Turkey) and
ASCAP (The American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers), and his compositions have been performed by international
artists all over the world. Along with making music, Hasan Isakkut also gives kanun lessons in international music camps.
TO CONTACT HASAN ISAKKUT : hasanisakkut@gmail.com
Merve SARI was born in Zonguldak, Turkey (in Western Black Sea Region). She began singing at the age of eight
with her father at home, and then took piano courses. During her primary education, she sang Turkish folk music in school choirs.
After moving to Istanbul, she received the first rank award among female voices in Istanbul in a "Voice Competition in Classical
Turkish Music" which was organized by the Ministry of National Education in Turkey in May 2005. She also performed as a
soloist in Youth Choir of Classical Turkish Music, which was conducted by a renowned singer in this genre,
Ms. Serap Mutlu Akbulut in TRT Istanbul Radio Station between 2005 and 2011.
In 2009, she graduated as a fully granted, top honor student from Haliç University in Istanbul, studying International
Trade and Business Administration. During her undergraduate degree, she took vocal courses at the same university's
Turkish Music Conservatory by Ms. Sehnaz Rizeli and attended repertory courses of Prof. Dr. Alaeddin Yavasca, living
legend in Classical Turkish Music as a composer and a classical singer. Merve received master's in Knowledge
and Innovation Management (MBA) from Yeditepe University, Istanbul with a specific interest in social media
analysis as a fully granted, honor student. At Yeditepe, she sang in Classical Turkish Music choir, conducted by
Mr. Mithat Ozyilmazel and sang Turkish tangos with the piano professor Mr. Islam Manafov at the university.
Merve moved to the United States in November 2013. Since then, she has been performing with
Turkish composer and kanun player Mr. Hasan Isakkut and many famous musicians (Omer Faruk Tekbilek,
Ara Dinkjian, Yuri Yunakov, etc) in special occasions, such as Turkish culture festivals and concerts in the U.S.
She took vocal performance seminar classes at The Juilliard School in evening division in 2014. In 2018,
she was admitted to the Voice Department at Berklee College of Music.
TO CONTACT MERVE SARI : mervens@gmail.com
Katerina Douka | GREEK
Born and raised in Thessaloniki, her family environment introduced her to singing and dancing for the first time.
She was a member of “HOFETH” (Student dance group) where she initially learned to dance and subsequently
taught Greek traditional dances. Her first participation as a singer, in Vaggelis Dimoudis’s music album “Ηλιοβασίλεμα στον Έβρο”,
revealed her extensive knowledge of Greek musical and dancing tradition and her interest in traditional songs.
A few years later, she and “Μεθόριος”, a traditional band from Thrace, recorded the double CD “Έβρος”, where she sang
previously unreleased songs of northern Evros. In 2010 she and Stamatis Pasopoulos formed “ραΔΥΟφωνο”, a musical duet
performing songs of 1930’s. She entered the world of rebetiko music in 2007 while singing in various joints and music scenes
in Thessaloniki. Since 2012 she has been member of rebetiko group “πληρη νταξει”, who have recorded 4 CDs: “πληρη νταξει”-2012,
“Αποστολή στο διάστημα”-2013, “Τρίτος Δίσκος” 2015, “soiree”-2018.
In 2016 she recorded her first personal album “Φιλί στο στόμα” composed by Sofia Natsiou. in 2017 she participated in
“Άρωμα Χαλκιδικής”, an album containing traditional songs of Halkidiki. She regularly performs in traditional and rebetiko music
festivals in Greece and internationally. She teaches traditional Greek songs in Greece and abroad.
TO CONTACT KATERINA DOUKA : douka15k@gmail.com
Born and raised in Thessaloniki, her family environment introduced her to singing and dancing for the first time.
She was a member of “HOFETH” (Student dance group) where she initially learned to dance and subsequently
taught Greek traditional dances. Her first participation as a singer, in Vaggelis Dimoudis’s music album “Ηλιοβασίλεμα στον Έβρο”,
revealed her extensive knowledge of Greek musical and dancing tradition and her interest in traditional songs.
A few years later, she and “Μεθόριος”, a traditional band from Thrace, recorded the double CD “Έβρος”, where she sang
previously unreleased songs of northern Evros. In 2010 she and Stamatis Pasopoulos formed “ραΔΥΟφωνο”, a musical duet
performing songs of 1930’s. She entered the world of rebetiko music in 2007 while singing in various joints and music scenes
in Thessaloniki. Since 2012 she has been member of rebetiko group “πληρη νταξει”, who have recorded 4 CDs: “πληρη νταξει”-2012,
“Αποστολή στο διάστημα”-2013, “Τρίτος Δίσκος” 2015, “soiree”-2018.
In 2016 she recorded her first personal album “Φιλί στο στόμα” composed by Sofia Natsiou. in 2017 she participated in
“Άρωμα Χαλκιδικής”, an album containing traditional songs of Halkidiki. She regularly performs in traditional and rebetiko music
festivals in Greece and internationally. She teaches traditional Greek songs in Greece and abroad.
TO CONTACT KATERINA DOUKA : douka15k@gmail.com
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 (percussionum)
Matt Moran (percussion)
Set list:
Raikos
Patrounino
Leventikos / Pousteno
Sofka
TO CONTACT KAVALA : mginsburg@gmail.com
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 (percussionum)
Matt Moran (percussion)
Set list:
Raikos
Patrounino
Leventikos / Pousteno
Sofka
TO CONTACT KAVALA : mginsburg@gmail.com
Merita Halili & Raif Hyseni | ALBANIA
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 : raifhyseni7@gmail.com | 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 : raifhyseni7@gmail.com | www.raifhyseni.com
FOR RAIF HYSENI'S NEW CD ALBUM: https://www.raifhyseni.com/product/raif-hyseni-24/24
Michele Simon | PIRIN
Michele Simon has been involved with music all of her life, and with Balkan folk music for most of it, as a dancer,
singer, drummer and teacher. She was raised surrounded by music of all kinds, including classical (especially Bach),
standards (especially Margaret Whiting, Frank Sinatra, and Ella Fitzgerald), and American folk music. She sang
before she talked, played cello and guitar, and most formatively, enjoyed trading harmonies with her mother’s rich alto.
She has been inspired by countless musicians, both in the U.S. and abroad, and has been lucky to study
with, to name just a few, the late Nadezhda Hvoineva, from the Bulgarian Rhodope region; the late Esma
Redžepova, Queen of Romany music; Serbian folk specialist Svetlana Spajić; Mary Sherhart of Seattle;
Jane Sharp of Berkeley; and Bulgarian master singer Tatiana Sarbinska, with whom she also trained as a teacher.
Over the last thirty years she has sung with Kitka Women’s Vocal Ensemble; and has been steeped in complex
odd-metered Balkan dance rhythms through singing and playing percussion in the folk dance bands Anoush,
Brass Menažeri, Helladelics and Zabava!. She has appeared on recordings and stages across America
and in Bulgaria,as well as on Bulgarian and Serbian TV.
Michele teaches private students, workshops, and camps, including the popular Balkan Vocal Technique class that
has been a staple at Mendocino Balkan Camp for almost 20 years. As a singing teacher, Michele’s specialty is
integrating Balkan vocal styles with American voices. With humor, warmth and patience, she focuses on placement and sound
fundamentals, using innovative exercises and imagery, as well as her model skull, Bartholomew. Michele lives in Oakland, CA.
TO CONTACT MICHELE SIMON : www.michelesimonsimplyvoice.com | michelesimonsimplyvoice@gmail.com
Michele Simon has been involved with music all of her life, and with Balkan folk music for most of it, as a dancer,
singer, drummer and teacher. She was raised surrounded by music of all kinds, including classical (especially Bach),
standards (especially Margaret Whiting, Frank Sinatra, and Ella Fitzgerald), and American folk music. She sang
before she talked, played cello and guitar, and most formatively, enjoyed trading harmonies with her mother’s rich alto.
She has been inspired by countless musicians, both in the U.S. and abroad, and has been lucky to study
with, to name just a few, the late Nadezhda Hvoineva, from the Bulgarian Rhodope region; the late Esma
Redžepova, Queen of Romany music; Serbian folk specialist Svetlana Spajić; Mary Sherhart of Seattle;
Jane Sharp of Berkeley; and Bulgarian master singer Tatiana Sarbinska, with whom she also trained as a teacher.
Over the last thirty years she has sung with Kitka Women’s Vocal Ensemble; and has been steeped in complex
odd-metered Balkan dance rhythms through singing and playing percussion in the folk dance bands Anoush,
Brass Menažeri, Helladelics and Zabava!. She has appeared on recordings and stages across America
and in Bulgaria,as well as on Bulgarian and Serbian TV.
Michele teaches private students, workshops, and camps, including the popular Balkan Vocal Technique class that
has been a staple at Mendocino Balkan Camp for almost 20 years. As a singing teacher, Michele’s specialty is
integrating Balkan vocal styles with American voices. With humor, warmth and patience, she focuses on placement and sound
fundamentals, using innovative exercises and imagery, as well as her model skull, Bartholomew. Michele lives in Oakland, CA.
TO CONTACT MICHELE SIMON : www.michelesimonsimplyvoice.com | michelesimonsimplyvoice@gmail.com
Mousikorama | NORTHERN GREECE
The band Mousikorama was created in 1997 in Florina by musicians of second and third generations
of music families in the area of Florina. They are specialized to Macedonian music. Playing with
traditional instruments, they had travelled to many countries, such as Germany, Belgium, Canada, Australia,
where they represent Macedonian music respectfully. Moreover, they are well known to every city of Greece,
such as Athens, Thessaloniki, where they also represent the culture of Macedonia.
They have played for several folk dance groups, with a big variety of tunes. They have participated
in many Balkan Feasts in the area of Macedonia. In conclusion, over the last years, their corporations
with local musicians from other Balkan countries give them the opportunity to learn and adopt a traditional
type of playing local tunes, which helped them to support the tradition and the culture of Macedonia.
In World Spring Camp, Mousikorama will cooperate with local musicians and all together they will
represent Macedonian music and culture.
Band Members in WSC:
Christos Pappas: Clarinet
Konstantinos Tallidis: Trumpet
Giorgos Skopakis: Saxophone
Sotiris Kostidis: Accordion
Simos Konstantinou: Daouli
TO CONTACT MOUSIKORAMA : symewnkonstantinou2002@gmail.com
The band Mousikorama was created in 1997 in Florina by musicians of second and third generations
of music families in the area of Florina. They are specialized to Macedonian music. Playing with
traditional instruments, they had travelled to many countries, such as Germany, Belgium, Canada, Australia,
where they represent Macedonian music respectfully. Moreover, they are well known to every city of Greece,
such as Athens, Thessaloniki, where they also represent the culture of Macedonia.
They have played for several folk dance groups, with a big variety of tunes. They have participated
in many Balkan Feasts in the area of Macedonia. In conclusion, over the last years, their corporations
with local musicians from other Balkan countries give them the opportunity to learn and adopt a traditional
type of playing local tunes, which helped them to support the tradition and the culture of Macedonia.
In World Spring Camp, Mousikorama will cooperate with local musicians and all together they will
represent Macedonian music and culture.
Band Members in WSC:
Christos Pappas: Clarinet
Konstantinos Tallidis: Trumpet
Giorgos Skopakis: Saxophone
Sotiris Kostidis: Accordion
Simos Konstantinou: Daouli
TO CONTACT MOUSIKORAMA : symewnkonstantinou2002@gmail.com
Shturo Make | PIRIN
Shturo Make (“Crazy Macedonians”) is one of the most acclaimed folk bands from Bulgaria and considered by many to be the top
band from the Pirin Macedonian region in Bulgaria. Lead by artistic director Zdravko Georgiev, an accordion virtuoso of the
highest order, managed by bassist Stoyan Dzhambazov (“Dzhembi”), and featuring vocalist Irina Paskaleva, Shturo Make has
performed widely and released numerous recordings. Zdravko Georgiev’s talent and virtuosity have made a huge mark in
Bulgaria and beyond with many students and followers who emulate his brilliant musical style.
The overall management including business, public relations, marketing, and technical aspects of Shturo Make have been
led by Stoyan Dzhambazov (“Dzhembi”), bass guitarist for the band and who for more than 25 years has been inseparably
behind the name of the band and enjoying a close collaboration with Zdravko Georgiev to make widely known the name of
the Shturo Make band.
Irina Paskaleva has been a solo vocalist for more than 20 years with the Shturo Make band, performing at numerous weddings,
folk festivals, concerts and television shows. Fluent in English and German, she is also a longtime soloist of the Nevrokop
Ensemble in Gotse Delchev. She has performed and participated in festivals in many countries outside Bulgaria and has recorded solo albums.
The youngest member of the band is Zdravko's son, Georgi Georgiev, who is 18 years old and already under his father's watchful
eye as he plays the clarinet and is constantly studying and improving.
The following is a partial list of the singers with whom Shturo Make has recorded with apologies for any unintentional
omissions: Volodya Stoyanov - 19 albums. Ivan Dyakov -11 album, Nikolina Chakardakova - 4 albums, Nadiya Evtimova
Georgi Zhbantov, Boryana Karpuzova, Guna Ivanova, Radostina Panyova,, Yanko Nedelchev,, Nelly Nikolova- Nelina,
Quartet Slavey (“Nightingale”), and many others
TO CONTACT SHTURO MAKE : shturomakeband@gmail.com | djemby1965@yahoo.com | +1-847-858-9822
Shturo Make (“Crazy Macedonians”) is one of the most acclaimed folk bands from Bulgaria and considered by many to be the top
band from the Pirin Macedonian region in Bulgaria. Lead by artistic director Zdravko Georgiev, an accordion virtuoso of the
highest order, managed by bassist Stoyan Dzhambazov (“Dzhembi”), and featuring vocalist Irina Paskaleva, Shturo Make has
performed widely and released numerous recordings. Zdravko Georgiev’s talent and virtuosity have made a huge mark in
Bulgaria and beyond with many students and followers who emulate his brilliant musical style.
The overall management including business, public relations, marketing, and technical aspects of Shturo Make have been
led by Stoyan Dzhambazov (“Dzhembi”), bass guitarist for the band and who for more than 25 years has been inseparably
behind the name of the band and enjoying a close collaboration with Zdravko Georgiev to make widely known the name of
the Shturo Make band.
Irina Paskaleva has been a solo vocalist for more than 20 years with the Shturo Make band, performing at numerous weddings,
folk festivals, concerts and television shows. Fluent in English and German, she is also a longtime soloist of the Nevrokop
Ensemble in Gotse Delchev. She has performed and participated in festivals in many countries outside Bulgaria and has recorded solo albums.
The youngest member of the band is Zdravko's son, Georgi Georgiev, who is 18 years old and already under his father's watchful
eye as he plays the clarinet and is constantly studying and improving.
The following is a partial list of the singers with whom Shturo Make has recorded with apologies for any unintentional
omissions: Volodya Stoyanov - 19 albums. Ivan Dyakov -11 album, Nikolina Chakardakova - 4 albums, Nadiya Evtimova
Georgi Zhbantov, Boryana Karpuzova, Guna Ivanova, Radostina Panyova,, Yanko Nedelchev,, Nelly Nikolova- Nelina,
Quartet Slavey (“Nightingale”), and many others
TO CONTACT SHTURO MAKE : shturomakeband@gmail.com | djemby1965@yahoo.com | +1-847-858-9822
Zlatne Uste | SERBIA
From kolos to Kusturica, Zlatne Uste has played with Šaban Bajramović, Esma Redžepova, Demiran Čerimović,
Yuri Yunakov, and many other legendary Roma musicians from Eastern Europe. Founded in 1983, we are the foremost
presenters of traditional Balkan brass band styles in the US. Our repertoire spans the full range of the heartland of brass
bands in the Balkans -- Serbia, Macedonia and Bulgaria, playing both Slavic and Romany traditions. Creators of the
Zlatne Uste Golden Festival in New York, we play festivals, weddings, dance parties, concerts, from New York to
California to Canada, to Brazil and Macedonia. The first foreign band invited to participate, we are five-time invited
guests at the Dragačevo Brass Festival in Guča, Serbia and twice at Vlasinsko Leto in Surdulica.
Aaron Kisslinger (tenor)
Belle Birchfield (baritone)
Daniel Stern (truba)
Emerson Hawley (tuba)
Jerry Kisslinger (bubanj, snare drum)
Laine Harris (truba)
Marian Eines (saxophone)
Matt Smith (baritone)
Melinda Hunt (vocals)
Michael Ginsburg (truba)
Morgan Clark (tenor)
Sarah Ferholt (truba)
Seido Salifoski (bubanj, snare drum)
Set list:
Gankino (Kopanitsa)
Puče Puška (Teško or Vranjanka)
Mig Mig (Čoček)
Kolo (u šest) (Kolo iz Šumadije, Užičko Kolo)
Website/Social Media: Website, Facebook
TO CONTACT ZLATNE USTE : mginsburg@gmail.com
From kolos to Kusturica, Zlatne Uste has played with Šaban Bajramović, Esma Redžepova, Demiran Čerimović,
Yuri Yunakov, and many other legendary Roma musicians from Eastern Europe. Founded in 1983, we are the foremost
presenters of traditional Balkan brass band styles in the US. Our repertoire spans the full range of the heartland of brass
bands in the Balkans -- Serbia, Macedonia and Bulgaria, playing both Slavic and Romany traditions. Creators of the
Zlatne Uste Golden Festival in New York, we play festivals, weddings, dance parties, concerts, from New York to
California to Canada, to Brazil and Macedonia. The first foreign band invited to participate, we are five-time invited
guests at the Dragačevo Brass Festival in Guča, Serbia and twice at Vlasinsko Leto in Surdulica.
Aaron Kisslinger (tenor)
Belle Birchfield (baritone)
Daniel Stern (truba)
Emerson Hawley (tuba)
Jerry Kisslinger (bubanj, snare drum)
Laine Harris (truba)
Marian Eines (saxophone)
Matt Smith (baritone)
Melinda Hunt (vocals)
Michael Ginsburg (truba)
Morgan Clark (tenor)
Sarah Ferholt (truba)
Seido Salifoski (bubanj, snare drum)
Set list:
Gankino (Kopanitsa)
Puče Puška (Teško or Vranjanka)
Mig Mig (Čoček)
Kolo (u šest) (Kolo iz Šumadije, Užičko Kolo)
Website/Social Media: Website, Facebook
TO CONTACT ZLATNE USTE : mginsburg@gmail.com