We have known many musicians and singers over the years, some here in our beautiful state of Colorado, who play folk dance music to folk dance folk to at a folk dance, too . . . or something like that. Here are some links (click on their names) for your edification and enjoyment. Let us know of others we should add.
If you're interested in sheet music for Balkan and International dances, check out the Ethnic Folkdance & Song Collection of The Village & Early Music Society.
Musicians and Musical Groups
Colorado
- Sherefe
A group of five musicians from the Denver-Boulder area who play music from Bulgaria, Macedonia, Greece, Romania, Serbia, Croatia, and other Eastern European countries. CD available.
Outside Colorado
- Balkanarama
A Seattle band that plays Balkan party music for their village and beyond and maintains a directory of Balkan bands around the world--add yours! - Balkan Cabaret
Formed in 2001 as a collaboration between vocalist Mary Sherhart and the accomplished folk dance band, Nišava, this band hails from Seattle. - Chookasian Armenian Concert Ensemble
A Fresno orchestra that brings you the ancient world of beautiful traditional Armenian music and culture. - Drita Albanian Folk Orchestra
Drita, "the light," was founded in 1982 by Ian Price to present the extraordinary traditional music of Albania to American audiences.
Balkan Bands
- Balkanarama
A list of Balkan bands outside the Balkans maintained by Mike Gordon.
Singers and Singing Groups
Colorado
- Planina
A group of eight to fourteen singers from the Denver-Boulder area who perform the haunting and beautiful songs of eastern Europe. CD available.
Outside Colorado
- Born to Drone
A women's vocal ensemble specializing in folk music from the Balkan region and beyond. - Brass Menagerie
A Bay-area high-energy group that plays the exciting music of Serbia, Greece, Macedonia, Bulgaria, etc. - Divi Zheni
Divi Zheni performs "unusual songs of love and longing and of war and peace. - Kitka
A professional women's vocal ensemble dedicated to producing concerts, recordings, and educational programs that develop new audiences for music rooted in Eastern European women's vocal traditions. - Mila Vocal Ensemble
Mila Vocal Ensemble sings a melodic evening traversing from the steppes of Russia to the mountain tops of Bulgaria. - Orfeia
Orfeia is dedicated to preserving and promoting the traditional women's music of Eastern Europe. - Podruzhki
Their songs are about courtship, marriage, rites of passage, and boasting of hometown charms. - Nevenka
A Los Angeles, California, women's folk chorus performing songs from Eastern Europe. - Rogue World Ensemble
The group believes sharing the musical traditions of our world brings forth the potential for transformation, connection, and peace. - Mary Sherhart
Teacher and performer of traditional Balkan voice music. - Slaveya
A women’s vocal ensemble specializing in East European a cappella folk music. - Yale Women's Slavic Chorus
The chorus performs traditional folk songs from Eastern Europe and the Balkans. - Zvezda
Zvezda (Balkan Babes and Bubs) have a repertoire of some 60 songs from the swath of land between the Adriatic and Black seas.