Schedule

Thursday, July 31, 2025

4:00 pm – 6:00 pm — Check-in. Pick-up registration packet, schedule, name tag, etc.

6:00 pm – 7:30 pm — Student Orientation

Students will have an opportunity to meet each other, meet many of the instructors and hear them demonstrate their instruments, become familiar with the Music Academy buildings, make final decisions on classes, and resolve any logistical problems. There is no charge for this introductory session and we very strongly recommend all students attend. There will be a short dance performance by the Music Academy’s dance ensemble at the end.

Friday, August 1– Wednesday, August 6, 2025

Daily Schedule (see below).

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Instrument Classes:

There will be a division in the Bulgarian traditional instrument classes between beginning and experienced students. The instrument classes are 1¼ hours long and will begin at 9:15 am. For example, a student can choose to take the experienced gaida class followed by the beginner tambura class. Please bring your own instrument(s), if possible. An izvoren/bitov (traditional instrument) ensemble class has been scheduled during session 5.

Singing Classes:

There will be two consecutive 1¼ hour group singing classes every morning, and each class will focus on a different regional style. During session 5, a Bulgarian choral singing class will be offered.

Dance Classes:

Each day dancers from different regions/villages will present four dance classes (sessions 1-4), with session 4 being a review and videotaping opportunity.

Daily Student Gathering:

A brief student gathering will be held daily from 12:00-12:15 pm in the Dance Hall to discuss special events, guest performances, evening activities, administrative matters, etc.

Evening Activities:

Some evening activities will be planned for those who wish, such as restaurant outings, dance events at the Music Academy, and a dinner-dance gala (additional cost) in a nearby restaurant in Plovdiv on Tuesday evening, August 5.

Daily Schedule — July 31 – August 6, 2025

 Session 1Session 2Daily Student GatheringLunch BreakSession 3Session 4Session 5
Class9:15am-10:30am10:45am-12:00pm12:00-12:15pm12:15pm-1:45pm1:45pm-3:00pm3:15pm-4:30pm4:45pm-6:00pm
Rhodope GaidaExperiencedBeginning  ExperiencedBeginning 
TamburaExperiencedBeginning  ExperiencedBeginning 
GûdulkaExperiencedBeginning  ExperiencedBeginning 
KavalExperiencedBeginning  ExperiencedBeginning 
TûpanExperiencedBeginning  ExperiencedBeginning 
Thracian GaidaExperiencedBeginning  ExperiencedBeginning 
ViolinExperienced (1)Experienced (2)  Experienced (1)Experienced (2) 
AccordionExperienced (1)Experienced (2)  Experienced (1)Experienced (2) 
ClarinetExperienced (1)Experienced (2)  Experienced (1)Experienced (2) 
Bitov Ensemble*      All
Bulgarian Folk SingingExperiencedBeginning  ExperiencedBeginning 
Bulgarian Choral Singing*      All
Bulgarian Folk DanceAllAll  AllAll 

*Does not meet Wednesday, August 6.

NOTE: Students must be at least 15 years of age in order to take lessons in instrument or singing classes. We continue to welcome students of all ages in dance classes and other Seminar activities, though we ask that students under 15 years of age be accompanied by an adult who is participating in the Seminar.

Note:  2025 Schedule — subject to change