Balkan Music &
Dance Workshops

Every summer the EEFC presents two week-long summer camps. Follow the links below to read all about and register for the 2024 workshops!

Mendocino, California

June 15-22, 2024
More info…

Iroquois Springs, New York

August 10-17, 2024
More info…


join-the-circle | eefc.org

Join the circle.
Make a contribution.

Since the beginning the East European Folklife Center has depended on you—our big-hearted community!

Learn more


Get Your EEFC Swag!

T-shirts, totes, and more — sporting the beautiful EEFC rosette. Tell the world about your favorite summer activity!
See the Collection



quilted-dancers

Stay in Touch

There’s more than one way to stay connected to the EEFC throughout the year. Subscribe to our email Newsletter for monthly updates. Join the Discussion List (an active email group with searchable archives since 1993). Send us a message.

Newsletter Sign Up
Discussion List
Contact Us


FAQ-placeholder

Get the FAQs

Find out almost everything you always wanted to know about the EEFC’s in-person Balkan camps.
FAQs


kids-placeholder

Kids at Camp!

Our in-person workshops are a great experience for families. Get the scoop to ensure everyone has a blast!


Scholarships

We award full scholarships to our in-person workshops.
Find out more


Partners

The EEFC is proud to partner with sister organizations, including the Bulgarian Folk Music & Dance Seminar.

Melina Ruyam Salifoski

Romani Dance

Melina Ruyam Salifoski is a Turkish Macedonian Romani American, born into the Macedonian Roma community in the Bronx, NY. As a child, she was exposed to many dance forms, such as belly dance, folk dancing, and at her own community events, where she watched her aunts dance the Roman Havasi. She began dancing at the age of 14, after a trip to Serbia and Macedonia, where she was inspired by watching her family members dance. 
 
Melina started teaching Roman Havasi once the pandemic hit, and enjoys observing people interested in the dance learn the form. She hopes that her knowledge helps others not only learn the dance but also find a new respect for the Macedonian Roma community.
 
Melina’s class will focus on breaking down the elements that make Roman Havasi unique:
  • Understanding the 9/8 rhythm, the different ways to count it and applying it to footwork patterns;
  • Learning footwork, from basic to “fancy,” and coordinating it with different tunes;
  • Mastering hip movements and the (in)famous “belly drop”; and
  • Becoming familiar with Romani community dynamics as they apply to the dance.