Ensemble History: Music and Dance of the Balkans Ensemble

The Music of the Balkans Ensemble began in 1960-61 as part of an academic course, Music 129, Music of the Balkans, taught by Boris Kremenliev.  The course included “performance on representative instruments” as a requirement. During the 1964-65 academic year, the course Music 45B/145B (Music and Dance of the Balkans) was offered for the first time. The course was divided into two sections: instrumental and vocal. Instructors of the Music and Dance of the Balkans Ensemble include: Boris Kremenliev (1960-76); Georgi Doichev (1992-93); Tim Rice (1995-00); Vassil Bebelekov (2000 - 01); Tzvetanka Varimezova (2001 to the present); Ivan Varimezov (2001 to the present). Graduate students Kathleen Wrobel, Laurel Isbister, and Angela Rodel have played strong leadership roles in the ensemble at various times during its history.

Balkan group (1987) Photo: Courtesy Ethnomusicology Archive	Bulgarian Women's Choir (2007) Photo: Todd Cheney
Balkan Band (2007) Photo: Todd Cheney	Ivan and Tzvetanka (2007) Photo: Todd Cheney

Bulgarian Women's Choir in Bulgaria (2010). Photo: Aaron Bittel

Tzvetanka Varimezova in Bulgaria (2010) Photo: Aaron Bittel	Ivan Varimezov in Bulgaria (2010) Photo: Aaron Bittel