Prof. Lyuben Dossev, Program Director, 2025 Folk Music & Dance Seminar

Instrument, Vocal & Dance Classes

One of our goals is to present instructors who have not previously taught outside of Bulgaria. Thus our instrumental and vocal music classes generally will be presented by musicians from the Music Academy and Ensemble Trakiya (who are accustomed to teaching), as well as the general Plovdiv area, and occasionally joined by guest “old masters” who have their own regional/local repertoire (but are usually less accustomed to teaching). The folk dance program features dancers from different villages and regions of the country, presenting authentic dance material. Classes are typically taught in English, and Seminar staff and assistants will help with language translation from Bulgarian to English when needed. See a complete list of teachers here.

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.

Check out a short, informative video from 2015 about the Seminar (partly in Bulgarian and partly in English).

Instrument Classes

(Instrument Type and Student Levels)

(Click on an instrument to hear sound bites where available)*

Please note that we are only offering both beginning and experienced instruction in traditional Bulgarian instruments because such classes are not commonly available outside of Bulgaria.

We are also offering accordion, clarinet and violin classes to students who already have some experience playing these instruments. These classes will focus on Bulgarian styling, technique and ornamentation.

Students are encouraged to bring their own instruments with them to Bulgaria. A limited number of tupans will be available for rent at the first tupan class session for 10 Euro/day (until supply is gone). Expressing interest in renting a tupan on your registration form does not guarantee you a tupan, but we will do our best to accommodate students. Rented tupans must stay on the premises of the Music Academy.

Singing Classes

These classes will offer an opportunity to work on singing styles from different folklore regions in Bulgaria, including Strandzha, Thrace, Pirin, Rhodope mountains, and Dobrudzha.

A Bulgarian choral singing class will be offered again this year. No prior singing experience is needed.

Dance Classes

• PIRIN: Marikostinovo village, Blagoevgrad region (Friday)
• EAST THRACE: Kozichino village, Burgas region (Saturday)
• SHOPLUK: Bistritsa village, Sofia region (Sunday)
• WEST THRACE: Bûta village, Pazardzhik region (Monday)
• NORTH BULGARIA: Asparuhovo village, Montana region (Tuesday)
• DOBRUDZHA: Silistra town, Silistra region (Wednesday)

Bulgarian folk dance classes will feature regional/village dancers from various folklore areas of Bulgaria, who will be assisted by English speaking dance staff familiar with how non-Bulgarians learn dance. Dance classes will take place throughout the morning and afternoon.