EDT Folk Orchestra

edt_folk_orchestra

EDT instrumentalists have studied collectively and individually under renowned musicians from around the world, including Nazir Azizi (Afghanistan), Gezim Halili (Albania), Dimitr Gueorguiev (Bulgaria), Nickolay Gueorguiev (Bulgaria), Minko Iliev (Bulgaria), Ivan Milev (Bulgaria), Nikola Nikolov (Bulgaria), Ivo Papazov (Bulgaria), Georgi Zeljaskov (Bulgaria), Goce Dimovski (Macedonia), Friedrich Lips (Russia), and Mark Levy (United States).

Folk Orchestra Roster for 2008-2009:

Colleen Bertsch

  • Seasons in EDT: 8
  • Instrument(s): Violin, Bass
  • Expertise/Background: B.M. in Violin Performance from Concordia Unversity-Moorhead; B.M. in Music Education from University of Minnesota-Twin Cities
  • Fun fact: Three-time marathon runner.

Dee Langley

  • Seasons in EDT: 10
  • Instrument(s): Accordion, Harmonium
  • Expertise/Background: Polish folk music (through Dolina Polish Folk Dancers); Classically trained; B.A. in Music and Psychology; Studied with folk muicians in Poland and Bulgaria.
  • Fun Fact: Positive-minded due to her understanding and respect for astrology.

Natalie Nowytski

  • Seasons in EDT: Many but first year in the EDT Folk Orchestra
  • Instrument(s): Flute, Vocals
  • Expertise/Background: Natalie Nowytski honed her vocal skills at her grandmother's knee and climbed her way onto the lap of Mila Vocal Ensemble, which she directed for five years.
  • fun fact: Likes glitter and loves her kitty (who she calls "myshka," or "mouse" in Ukrainian).

Katrina Mundinger (Orchestra Director)

  • Seasons in EDT: 9
  • Instrument(s): Clarinet, Flute, Frula, Sopilka, Prim
  • Expertise/Background: Balkan folk music; B.M. from Oberlin; M.M. from Northwestern University; Studied with folk musicians in Bulgaria.
  • Fun Fact: Spins yarn.

Kim Salisbury

  • Seasons in EDT: 20 (or so)
  • Instruments: Violin, Prim
  • Fun Fact: Kim has a devoted and intimate relationship with coffee.

Jenny Schultz

  • Seasons in EDT: 5
  • Instruments: Hackbrett
  • Fun Fact: Don, Mark and Renee LaCourse's niece

Where else you can spot EDT musicians:

Colleen Betsch, Dee Langley, Katrina Mundinger, and Natalie Nowytski in Orkestar Bez Ime

Colleen Betsch, Jenny Schultz, Kim Salisbury and Natalie Nowytski in the Ukrainian Village Band

Natalie Nowytski in Supple Puppy

Colleen Betsch in Szaszka

Concert Facts:

Did you know that?

Mumbai

Photo of the triumphal arch at the head of the harbor in Mumbai, The Gateway to India

The Gateway to India

Mumbai is one of the most populous cities in the world. It was built across seven islands & was controlled by various empires before the arrival of the first Europeans, the Portuguese. Control ultimately passed to the British who, beginning in the late 18th century, reshaped the city in a series of large-scale civil engineering projects. Under British control, Mumbai emerged as India’s most important center of commerce. Today, it is home to such institutions as the Reserve Bank of India & the National Stock Exchange of India, as well as numerous Indian and multinational corporations. In 1885 the first session of the Indian National Congress ("the Congress Party") was held in Mumbai, and in the 20th century Mumbai was a strong base of support for the Indian independence movement. The city is also the home of Bollywood, India’s film and TV industry. See our Indian suite in PORTS of CALL!

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