Dragi Spasovski and David Bilides have put together an awesome band in a short amount of time. The band includes Dan Auvil on tupan, Bill Cope and Steve Ramsey on tambura and Mark Levy on gaida. Please look for an update after the Mendocino Balkan Camp.

Taraful Usturoi blends the talents of four musicians specializing in traditional Romanian folklore. Led by violinist Miamon Miller who spent a year in Romania studying the folk music of Transylvania, Taraful Usturoi includes cimbalom virtuoso Alexander Eppler (a student and performing parther of the legendary Toni Iordache), bassist extraordinaire Vic Koler and the master of the 3-string contra, Chuck Corman. Whether playing lyrical melodies from Banat or uptempo dance tunes of Oltenia, Taraful Usturoi captures the essential aromas of the Romanian musical tradition. In slightly different configurations, the band also plays music from other Balkan and Carpathian cultures including those of the Hungarian táncház.

Édessa captures the passion and vitality that is at the heart of Balkan music. This often rambunctious band plays the intricate time signatures and highly ornamented modal music that is characteristic of the Balkans with authority and joy. An understanding of the unique connection between this music and it's expression in Balkan dance informs the ensemble's performances and derives from decades-long involvement as both musicians and dancers. Using both traditional and modern instruments, they play a variety of styles featuring long sets that interweave melodies and improvisation with a big Balkan beat.

Alexander Eppler will thrill our campers with Bulgarian gaida during the stage changes. You won't want to miss this special treat!