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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
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

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 to Balkan music and dance (and our workshops) or veterans; whether they have Balkan roots or not; and whether they are professionals or amateurs. Above all, we are looking for people who will help us spread the joy of Balkan music and dance! However, the application process can be intimidating. The Scholarship Committee has put together the following tips to guide you, because ultimately, we’re all rooting for your success!

  1. Scholarships are awarded on the basis of written applications. CDs, websites, music samples, and the like are not reviewed during the decision process. However, we are well aware that writing isn’t everyone’s forte. Before you get frustrated, we encourage you to ask a friend for assistance! Cook a buddy dinner or treat them to coffee while they help you craft an application that truly reflects your talents, goals, and personality. Obviously, don’t have someone write the whole thing for you, but don’t suffer in silence if writing is really hard for you or if English is a second language. We get it!
  2. Don’t use your phone to submit applications. Unless you want to represent yourself with short and disjointed answers riddled with poor punctuation and the heavy-handed influence of autocorrect, just don’t do it. This is one of those instances where using an actual computer will go miles toward your success.
  3. Use the rubric. We’ve published the exact criteria that you’ll be judged on under the “Scholarship Details” tab on our website. Use this insider knowledge to shape your responses. It’s really easy to tell who has read the website thoroughly and who hasn’t. This tells us a little bit about an applicant’s levels of focus, grit, and discipline. Everything on our website is for your benefit, so use it!
  4. Try for every scholarship that applies to you. In other words, you may apply for more than one scholarship at a time. For example, an East Coast singer should apply for a Dick Crum/Kef Scholarship, the Stefni Agin Scholarship, AND the Susan K. Anderson Scholarship. An East Coast dancer should apply for a Dick Crum/Kef Scholarship, the Cooper Scholarship, AND the Susan K. Anderson Scholarship. Similarly, East Coast gajda players should apply for a Dick Crum/Kef Scholarship, the Vassil Bebelekov Scholarship, AND the Susan K. Anderson Scholarship. Make sense? Throw your hat into the ring as many times as you can.
  5. Never give up! This is a competitive process, and it is very common for applicants to apply more than once before receiving their first scholarship. But scholarships aren’t the only way to get to camp. If we can’t give you a scholarship this year, please apply for a work exchange position by emailing your coast’s Site Manager! It’s a great way to integrate into the community, and while you may have to battle a little FOMO, there’s so much to do at our workshops every hour of every day that we guarantee you’ll get your fill of music, dance, and laughter.
You don’t have to be an award-winning writer to do well in our application process. We’re looking for folks who give a thorough and honest effort, because that’s the kind of attitude that will maximize your experience at our workshops. You need to be willing to step out of your comfort zone, take the time to process and practice, and zero in on the details to learn in the midst of the intense and playful environment our camps offer. Ernest effort is always well received, so do your best, and the Scholarship Committee will look forward to reviewing your application.