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Recent Posts

Post-Presidential Reflections from Kristina Vaškys
Our Year in Review: 2023
Spring 2023 Letter to the Community
Our Year in Review: 2022
Craig Kurumada Changes Gears
Recenter. Regather. Renew.
2022 Workshops – Our Decision To Cancel
East Coast Virtual Camp 2021 Teacher Highlights
Our Year in Review: 2021
Our Year in Review: 2020
Fall 2020 Letter to the Community
Mid-Year Report: 2020
Our Year in Review: 2019
FY2019 Financials – Income & Expense charts
Meet Our Newest Board Member
Membership FAQs
Strategic Vision 2019
Camp Cabins Are Not Just Where We Sleep
Tips for Scholarship Applicants
Meet Our Newest Board Members
The Final Survey
FY2018 Financials – Income & Expense charts
Our Year in Review: 2018
Special Thanks: 2018
Summary: Spring 2018 Board Meeting
Tips & Tricks: Financing Your Trip to Balkan Camp
Growing Live Music
Volunteer Spotlight: Camille Holmes
FY2017 Financials – Income & Expenses
Post Balkan Camp Disorder (PBCD)
Running Sound at Balkan Camp: Tips and Tricks
Jamming at Camp – Your Opinions Wanted!
EEFC 2017 Spring Board Meeting Message from the President
FY2016 Financials – Income & Expenses
Spread the Word
EEFC 2016 Fall Board Meeting Report
Macedonian Čalgija Musicians at Mendocino
Get the Official Registration Badge
Social Media 101: Youth to the Rescue or How to Promote the EEFC on Facebook
A Good Year for Giving!
FY2015 Financials – Income & Expenses
Just What Does the EEFC Board Do?
Supporting the Čoček Nation Youth Scholarship
FY2014 Financials – Income & Expenses
Fall 2015 Board Meeting Summary Letter
EEFC 2015 Fall Board Meeting Report
A Few Changes to Membership
2015-2016 Fundraising Appeal
Bay Area EEFC Scholarship Created
EEFC Donation Stores
Party on at Balkan Camp in Mendocino!
So Many Great Reasons…
EEFC and the Great Ripple Effect
A Banner Year for Scholarships
Kukeri in the Woodlands—Become a Magical Beast of the Forest
The 2014 Iroquois Springs Photo DVD from Margaret Loomis
Meet Volunteer Jenna Shearer, Marketing & Communications Committee
Spring 2015 Board Meeting Summary Letter
EEFC 2015 Spring Board Meeting Report
Letters to the Community — from the Board of Directors and Rachel MacFarlane
East Coast EEFC Community Forum in Boston
Message from Amy Mills on Behalf of the Board
Yes, you’re in the right place!
Earl Galitz
EEFC 2015 Community Forums
Share Camp. Spread the Word.
Balkan Music and Dance Workshops 2015
West Coast EEFC Community Forums Announced
Richard Herbert “Dick” Forsyth
Update from Executive Director Jay House
Fall 2013 Board Meeting Summary
Six-Month Update from Executive Director, Jay House Samios
Meet & Greet Events in NYC, Bay Area, Seattle, Chicago & Boston
Top 10 Misconceptions about Camp
ED Selection
Comments on ED Role May 2012
Board & Program Committee Update Feb. 2012
EEFC Board Meeting Notes: 1994 —2014

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Post-Presidential Reflections from Kristina Vaškys

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 … Read More

Our Year in Review: 2023

EEFC 2023 Year-End Report Read More

Spring 2023 Letter to the Community

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 … Read More

Our Year in Review: 2022

EEFC 2022 Year-End Report Read More

Craig Kurumada Changes Gears

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 … Read More

Recenter. Regather. Renew.

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 … Read More

2022 Workshops – Our Decision To Cancel

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 … Read More

East Coast Virtual Camp 2021 Teacher Highlights

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 … Read More

Our Year in Review: 2021

EEFC 2021 Year-End Report Read More

Our Year in Review: 2020

EEFC 2020 Year-End Report Read More

Fall 2020 Letter to the Community

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 … Read More

Mid-Year Report: 2020

EEFC 2020 Mid-Year Report – click to view PDF Read More

Our Year in Review: 2019

EEFC 2019 Year End Report Read More

FY2019 Financials – Income & Expense charts

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 … Read More

Meet Our Newest Board Member

  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 … Read More

Membership FAQs

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 … Read More

Strategic Vision 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 … Read More

Camp Cabins Are Not Just Where We Sleep

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 … Read More

Tips for Scholarship Applicants

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 … Read More

Meet Our Newest Board Members

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 … Read More

The Final Survey

  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 … Read More

FY2018 Financials – Income & Expense charts

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 … Read More

Our Year in Review: 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 … Read More

Special Thanks: 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 … Read More

Summary: Spring 2018 Board Meeting

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: … Read More

Tips & Tricks: Financing Your Trip to Balkan Camp

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, … Read More

Growing Live Music

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, … Read More

Volunteer Spotlight: Camille Holmes

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. … Read More

FY2017 Financials – Income & Expenses

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 … Read More

Post Balkan Camp Disorder (PBCD)

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 … Read More

Running Sound at Balkan Camp: Tips and Tricks

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 … Read More

Jamming at Camp – Your Opinions Wanted!

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 … Read More

EEFC 2017 Spring Board Meeting Message from the President

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 … Read More

FY2016 Financials – Income & Expenses

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 … Read More

Spread the Word

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 … Read More

EEFC 2016 Fall Board Meeting Report

  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 … Read More

Macedonian Čalgija Musicians at Mendocino

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 … Read More

Get the Official Registration Badge

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 … Read More

Social Media 101: Youth to the Rescue or How to Promote the EEFC on Facebook

  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 … Read More

A Good Year for Giving!

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 … Read More

FY2015 Financials – Income & Expenses

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. … Read More

Just What Does the EEFC Board Do?

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 … Read More

Supporting the Čoček Nation Youth Scholarship

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 … Read More

FY2014 Financials – Income & Expenses

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. … Read More

Fall 2015 Board Meeting Summary Letter

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 … Read More

EEFC 2015 Fall Board Meeting Report

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 … Read More

A Few Changes to Membership

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 … Read More

2015-2016 Fundraising Appeal

  “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 … Read More

Bay Area EEFC Scholarship Created

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 … Read More

EEFC Donation Stores

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 … Read More

Party on at Balkan Camp in Mendocino!

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 … Read More

So Many Great Reasons…

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 … Read More

EEFC and the Great Ripple Effect

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, … Read More

A Banner Year for Scholarships

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 … Read More

Kukeri in the Woodlands—Become a Magical Beast of the Forest

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 … Read More

The 2014 Iroquois Springs Photo DVD from Margaret Loomis

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 … Read More

Meet Volunteer Jenna Shearer, Marketing & Communications Committee

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 … Read More

Spring 2015 Board Meeting Summary Letter

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 … Read More

EEFC 2015 Spring Board Meeting Report

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 … Read More

Letters to the Community — from the Board of Directors and Rachel MacFarlane

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 … Read More

East Coast EEFC Community Forum in Boston

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 … Read More

Message from Amy Mills on Behalf of the Board

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 … Read More

Yes, you’re in the right place!

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 … Read More

Earl Galitz

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 … Read More

EEFC 2015 Community Forums

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 … Read More

Share Camp. Spread the Word.

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 … Read More

Balkan Music and Dance Workshops 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 … Read More

West Coast EEFC Community Forums Announced

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 … Read More

Richard Herbert “Dick” Forsyth

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 … Read More

Update from Executive Director Jay House

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 … Read More

Fall 2013 Board Meeting Summary

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 … Read More

Six-Month Update from Executive Director, Jay House Samios

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 … Read More

Meet & Greet Events in NYC, Bay Area, Seattle, Chicago & Boston

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 … Read More

Top 10 Misconceptions about Camp

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 … Read More

ED Selection

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 … Read More

Comments on ED Role May 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 … Read More

Board & Program Committee Update Feb. 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 … Read More

EEFC Board Meeting Notes: 1994 —2014

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 … Read More