Recent Posts
Post-Presidential Reflections from Kristina Vaškys
March 19th, 2024
The Friday after Thanksgiving, in a cozy winter mood, I was able to chat with Kristina Vaškys through the magic of Zoom. We reminisced about her five years serving on …
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Spring 2023 Letter to the Community
March 24th, 2023
Springtime is here and as we look forward to the summer, we are so excited to be holding our first weeklong camps in four years! Registration has just opened for …
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Craig Kurumada Changes Gears
November 14th, 2022
Craig Kurumada has just stepped off the board after a busy term serving as Secretary and Chair of the Development Committee. We can confidently say that he is one of …
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Recenter. Regather. Renew.
July 15th, 2022
Summer is officially here, and we’re ready to celebrate! With both the East and West Coast BalkanFests around the corner, our Board and Staff are working around the clock for …
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2022 Workshops – Our Decision To Cancel
February 19th, 2022
Dear EEFC Family, The EEFC Board of Directors is entrusted with making decisions on behalf of the larger EEFC community. Recently, the Board has had to grapple with the difficult …
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East Coast Virtual Camp 2021 Teacher Highlights
February 1st, 2022
We’re happy to share an article written by new EEFC community member Kathy Molga, on her impressions of this past summer’s East Coast Virtual Camp. She profiles three of our …
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Fall 2020 Letter to the Community
December 21st, 2020
As many of you have experienced, our snail-mail services are struggling to keep up with the demands of this socially distanced holiday season. While we hope our usual year-end mailings …
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FY2019 Financials – Income & Expense charts
December 29th, 2019
Note: This information is extracted from the 2019 Annual Report and is presented here for convenience. The East European Folklife Center has an operating surplus of $1,000 as of September …
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Meet Our Newest Board Member
December 1st, 2019
A note from the Board: As many of you saw in our latest newsletter, the Board has debuted a new method for recruiting future members to the Board of …
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Membership FAQs
October 31st, 2019
What are the benefits of membership? The primary benefit of membership is that it helps the organization offer discounted tuition at $950 to all adult campers, even steeper tuition discounts …
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Strategic Vision 2019
August 31st, 2019
Over the past year, the Board has been hard at work considering our current needs and ideal visions for future growth. We know that we can do more to maximize …
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Camp Cabins Are Not Just Where We Sleep
June 19th, 2019
By Margaret Loomis Our folk music and dance community has given us many invaluable gifts, including friendships that may span decades. Some camp friends we see frequently, or now and …
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Tips for Scholarship Applicants
February 12th, 2019
Scholarship applications are live! Application deadlines for 2020 are: West Coast/Mendocino workshop: March 9, 2020 East Coast/Iroquois Springs workshop: April 15, 2020 We encourage dancers, singers, and instrumentalists to apply whether they are new …
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Meet Our Newest Board Members
January 28th, 2019
Maclovia Quintana, Program Committee Chair How did you first discover our Balkan Music & Dance Workshops (Balkan Camp), and what keeps you coming back? I originally heard of camp from …
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The Final Survey
December 28th, 2018
Dear friends, In 2017, the board of directors began working on a new strategic plan that will carry the East European Folklife Center into a robust future. This year …
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FY2018 Financials – Income & Expense charts
December 23rd, 2018
Note: this information is extracted from last year’s 2018 annual report and presented here for convenience. Summary: EEFC had an operating deficit of $34,000 in FY18. We had budgeted …
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Our Year in Review: 2018
December 22nd, 2018
Dear Community, As I mentioned in last month’s newsletter (if you aren’t on our mailing list, you can sign up here), we’re reworking our timeline for the strategic plan. On …
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Special Thanks: 2018
December 22nd, 2018
As the year comes to a close, the Board would like to recognize and thank the following individuals for their outstanding service and dedication to our community: Corinna Snyder: Corinna’s …
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Summary: Spring 2018 Board Meeting
October 31st, 2018
Notes from the EEFC Spring Board Meeting: May 12-13, 2018, in Oakland, CA Abridged from meeting minutes. Present: Barbara Uhlemann, Craig Kurumada, Melinda Russial, Noel Kropf, Rachel MacFarlane By Phone: …
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Tips & Tricks: Financing Your Trip to Balkan Camp
September 24th, 2018
I won’t lie, getting to Balkan Camp can be a financial challenge. My own decades-long journey with camp is a testament to that. I’ve paid full-ride, been rejected for scholarships, …
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Growing Live Music
May 25th, 2018
Musical Mix in a Different Way In the town of Arcata, California, population 17,000, we have extraordinary good fortune in the availability of live music for our dance community. Yes, …
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Volunteer Spotlight: Camille Holmes
April 26th, 2018
Many of you know Camille Holmes, but for those of you who haven’t had the pleasure of making her acquaintance, we’re excited to introduce this friendliest of west coast campers. …
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FY2017 Financials – Income & Expenses
March 20th, 2018
The EEFC fiscal 2017 year ended in September. These charts summarize the EEFC’s FY17 operating income and expenses. Scholarship donations and other restricted income are not included. Summary: EEFC had an operating deficit of …
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Post Balkan Camp Disorder (PBCD)
February 16th, 2018
Symptoms include dry mouth caused by strained vocal chords and slivo shots, increased appetite for garlic-infused anything, and palpitations in ⅞ time. If left untreated, withdrawal symptoms may only last …
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Running Sound at Balkan Camp: Tips and Tricks
January 25th, 2018
It’s evening time at Balkan Camp. I’ve spent all day learning mind-bending new folk melodies and rhythms, socializing and meeting new people, and eating way too many olives and stuffed …
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Jamming at Camp – Your Opinions Wanted!
May 8th, 2017
We often hear from you that “there’s not enough time at camp to do everything!” We offer more classes and feature more teachers than other camps—which means sometimes people can’t …
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EEFC 2017 Spring Board Meeting Message from the President
May 7th, 2017
Greetings Friends, The EEFC Board just held its Spring meeting, and at the meeting I told the Board I would like to step down from my role as President. They …
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FY2016 Financials – Income & Expenses
March 4th, 2017
The EEFC closed our 2016 fiscal year in September. These charts summarize the EEFC’s FY16 operating income and expenses. Scholarship donations and other restricted income are not included. Summary: Our FY16 operating surplus was $4,571. We ended …
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Spread the Word
February 4th, 2017
Our community is one of the BEST resources for spreading the word about camp. Besides using those golden opportunities to tell someone face to face how great camp is, sharing …
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EEFC 2016 Fall Board Meeting Report
February 4th, 2017
The board met Oct 21 and 22, 2016 in New York City. Corinna, Barbara, Noel, Amy, and Rachel in the room were joined by Elena and new board member …
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Macedonian Čalgija Musicians at Mendocino
June 4th, 2016
We have a special treat in store for you this summer at our West Coast workshop. Because of the generosity of an anonymous benefactor, we are bringing over two venerable musicians …
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Get the Official Registration Badge
June 4th, 2016
Have you registered? Grab this registration badge graphic and post to your Facebook page. If you haven’t registered you can do it now for Mendocino or Iroquois Springs. Need help …
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Social Media 101: Youth to the Rescue or How to Promote the EEFC on Facebook
June 4th, 2016
Hello friends! My name is Jennifer Shearer (although some of you may know me as Jenna Shear), and I’m one of those “Camp Kids” who’s been lucky enough …
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A Good Year for Giving!
April 26th, 2016
It’s been a busy but sunny spring for the development team. We are happy to have an active committee of fundraisers who are determined to see the EEFC move forward on …
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FY2015 Financials – Income & Expenses
March 23rd, 2016
The EEFC closed our 2015 fiscal year in September. These charts summarize the EEFC’s FY15 operating income and expenses. Scholarship donations and other restricted income are not included. Click on either graphic to see it full size. …
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Just What Does the EEFC Board Do?
January 10th, 2016
Carol Friedman sums it up beautifully in her recent blog post: Just Showing Up Isn’t Enough: Defining Your Board’s Job, and has been kind enough to share it with us …
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Supporting the Čoček Nation Youth Scholarship
December 30th, 2015
EEFC and DROM present the 6th Annual GOLDEN FESTIVAL AFTERPARTY January 17, 2016 at 5:00 pm Come dance to great bands and support the youth of the Balkan Music and …
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FY2014 Financials – Income & Expenses
December 15th, 2015
The EEFC completed our 2015 fiscal year in September. Our financial results for 2015 are not yet ready for publication. We will work to post them soon, hopefully within the next few months. …
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Fall 2015 Board Meeting Summary Letter
December 13th, 2015
by Corinna Snyder, EEFC Board President It was a productive and fun fall meeting that brought together three new board members, four continuing members, and one long-standing team member in …
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EEFC 2015 Fall Board Meeting Report
December 13th, 2015
The Board of Directors met in New York City on October 16 & 17, 2015. Election of Officers, Committee Chairs, and Task Force Leaders By consensus: President – Corinna Snyder …
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A Few Changes to Membership
December 13th, 2015
If you’re a detail-oriented person (as many of us are!), you have already noticed a few changes in our membership program this year. We want to keep you in the …
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2015-2016 Fundraising Appeal
November 29th, 2015
“Camp community is year-round and lifelong.” “When my life is stressful, I actually dream about being at Balkan Camp, and wake up feeling more at peace.” “I hope that …
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Bay Area EEFC Scholarship Created
July 17th, 2015
Longtime Mendocino Kids’ Band teacher Greg Masaki Jenkins reports: Balkan Evenings is a series every Sunday night at Cafe Revolution (22nd & Bartlett in San Francisco, from 8:30-11:30) organized by …
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EEFC Donation Stores
June 24th, 2015
Donation Stores on Both Coasts The West Coast Donation Store at Mendocino Camp sells a variety of items, and the East Coast Camp has a Jewelry Donation Store. If you’re …
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Party on at Balkan Camp in Mendocino!
June 22nd, 2015
Fabulous evening dance parties, along with sing-alongs and folklore presentations! If you happen to be in the Northern California area during the time of the upcoming Balkan Music & Dance …
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So Many Great Reasons…
May 30th, 2015
We know if you’ve ever been to Balkan camp, you will likely agree that it is what has been called “the gold standard.” We also know that you have a …
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EEFC and the Great Ripple Effect
May 30th, 2015
When you experience a memorable evening of music and dancing, who gets the credit? Most of us tend to think of the great musicians playing and singing their hearts out, …
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A Banner Year for Scholarships
May 13th, 2015
By Amy Mills, EEFC Board Member Published May 13, 2015 Amidst the hellos and hugs on the first day at camp, one of my favorite moments is when the new …
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Kukeri in the Woodlands—Become a Magical Beast of the Forest
May 13th, 2015
Annie Hallatt and Brenna MacCrimmon present a project to create kukeri-inspired Carnival characters to populate our parade, feast and party in the Mendocino Woodlands. In Bulgarian folk culture, masked kukeri chase …
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The 2014 Iroquois Springs Photo DVD from Margaret Loomis
April 12th, 2015
Hello Iroquois Springs Campers & Friends of EEFC, Once again, Margaret Loomis offers her wonderful DVD of photos from 2014’s Iroquois Springs workshop. For the past 14 years, Margaret has …
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Meet Volunteer Jenna Shearer, Marketing & Communications Committee
April 10th, 2015
The Marketing and Communications Committee is fortunate to have Jenna Shearer on the team. Her decision to offer her skills in social media has provided the EEFC with better and more …
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Spring 2015 Board Meeting Summary Letter
April 10th, 2015
From board member Nancy Leeper Hi all, Thank you so much for our productive meeting! It is a joy to work with all of you, and I am continually impressed …
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EEFC 2015 Spring Board Meeting Report
April 2nd, 2015
March 13 – 14 Berkeley, CA Attending: Ann Norton Amy Mills Nancy Leeper Elena Erber Eva Primack Biz Hertzberg Rachel MacFarlane Traci Speed Corinna Snyder, Demetri Tashie, and Noel Kropf …
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Letters to the Community — from the Board of Directors and Rachel MacFarlane
March 19th, 2015
Dear EEFC Community, The Board of Directors has just ended its spring face-to-face meeting in Berkeley. Rachel and Traci were invited to participate in all our sessions, and were able …
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East Coast EEFC Community Forum in Boston
March 6th, 2015
The EEFC board and staff, are looking forward to continuing the conversations at our 5th community forum, happening in Boston Saturday, March 21. These forums are an opportunity for our …
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Message from Amy Mills on Behalf of the Board
March 5th, 2015
I know that it has been a stressful few years for the EEFC, as we work to weather financial stresses and organizational changes. As I see through my own work …
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Yes, you’re in the right place!
March 3rd, 2015
We’ve launched our new website. It’s new, so there will still be some kinks to work out. The exciting part is that we pulled it together in time to open …
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Earl Galitz
February 25th, 2015
March 3, 1946 – February 22, 2015 On behalf of the EEFC community we extend our deepest sympathies to Earl’s family and friends. The board, staff, and membership are grateful …
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EEFC 2015 Community Forums
February 22nd, 2015
In the fall of 2014 the board set about to create occasions for us all to talk together about what camp means to us and what we think the future …
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Share Camp. Spread the Word.
February 4th, 2015
Download a flyer or request postcards. Post all around your town. At the local music shop, music school, dance centers. Bring them to events—Balkan and otherwise. Email them to your …
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Balkan Music and Dance Workshops 2015
February 1st, 2015
Once again the Program Committee is hard at work building a teaching staff for each workshop. While they continue to juggle schedules, travel plans, and more, they have put together …
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West Coast EEFC Community Forums Announced
January 3rd, 2015
The EEFC board and staff, are looking forward to continuing the conversations at our 3rd and 4th community forums, happening in Seattle (2/21) and Berkeley (3/14) respectively. These forums are …
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Richard Herbert “Dick” Forsyth
November 28th, 2014
March 10, 1929 – November 26, 2014 Richard Herbert “Dick” Forsyth of Newton, Mass., died on November 26, 2014, in Cambridge from several medical problems including influenza, pneumonia, and amyloidosis. He …
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Update from Executive Director Jay House
August 29th, 2014
It has been a busy summer, with two wonderful camps, and the June launch of Kef Times in its new, easy-to-share format, as well as its expansion to a thrice-yearly …
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Fall 2013 Board Meeting Summary
December 4th, 2013
by Corinna Snyder, EEFC Board President The Board posts our Board meeting notes on the website — here is a link to them. We agreed it would be good …
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Six-Month Update from Executive Director, Jay House Samios
April 30th, 2013
Six wonderful months have passed since I began as executive director for the EEFC! What an amazing experience thus far, full of meetings with new people, putting faces to names …
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Meet & Greet Events in NYC, Bay Area, Seattle, Chicago & Boston
December 27th, 2012
Starting next week (Jan 1, 2013) Jay House Samios will be hosting a series of Meet & Greet events in a few cities in the US in the next few …
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Top 10 Misconceptions about Camp
December 4th, 2012
Misconception #1 – Tuition Covers Everything Needed to Bring You the Two Amazing Workshops You Have Come to Expect In order to host the workshops we know and love, the …
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ED Selection
September 13th, 2012
ED Selection We are close to completing the hiring process for the ED position. Here’s an update on the process and our progress. We put out a call for the …
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Comments on ED Role May 2012
May 24th, 2012
This entry is in response to Carol Silverman’s comment/question below: Hi friends, Re: executive director description: I was wondering why familiarity with the Balkan music was not mentioned. I’m not …
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Board & Program Committee Update Feb. 2012
February 25th, 2012
Our priorities at this time are to: maintain organizational stability ensure the production of the best workshops/camps possible open registrations earlier than ever While beginning to look for some office …
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EEFC Board Meeting Notes: 1994 —2014
January 1st, 2007
View the EEFC Board Meeting notes from 1994-2014 in these PDFs. Going forward from the Fall of 2014 meeting notes will be posted individually in this section of the EEFC …
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