EEFC Balkan Music & Dance Camp 2025 – An Unexpected Adventure
By Patricia Stenton
Late this spring a very unexpected gift arrived for me in the form of an email, entitled “Re: Scholarship”.
Last fall my doumbek teacher Polly Tapia Ferber had encouraged me to apply for a scholarship for EEFC East Coast Balkan Music and Dance Camp.
I did so early this year, knowing the results would be announced in early May. Once we were approaching June, it was no longer on my mind at all.
All the greater my surprise at the email announcement of a full scholarship for East Coast Camp at Iroquois Springs N.Y. in August! I had only a few days to confirm my acceptance. Conrad and I had a lot to discern and discuss in the following days, and recognizing “the unexpected Gift” for what it was, I gladly accepted it.
Camp was a truly delightful, I would even say, a life changing experience. From the moment we arrived we felt warmly welcomed by everyone and the presence of so many children of all ages was a particular delight to me. So was meeting my doumbek teacher in person for the first time!
My focus for Camp was on doumbek and frame drum classes with Polly who led her classes with great expertise and such uplifting enthusiasm. I also played frame drum with the 50 musicians strong Albanian Ensemble, directed by the amazingly talented and always so caring Raif Hyseni who was also joined by a group of women singers under the wonderful direction of Merita Halili.
Conrad was delighted with the singing classes, in particular the vocal technique classes with the very gifted Michele Simon. We both enjoyed all aspects of Camp, as much as energy permitted. Dancing to live music in the evenings was a particular gift. The talent of musicians and singers gathered in one place was truly incredible and so inspiring.
At the performances at the end of the week we were impressed how much had been accomplished in so few days, including the very professional sounding Children’s Ensemble.
The cabins in our “village” as I like to call it were arranged so that in our section our neighbours were all musicians. I just loved sitting on our porch for drum practice with often a clarinet playing on my right and a violin somewhere behind me, and more. It was always a harmonious ensemble all of its own.
In preparation for Camp I had at some point said to Conrad, “ With about 250 people there, I would think we should meet at least one person whom we know.” This did come true as I spotted dear Sarada George in the crowd, with her daughter Erica, dear friends of Charles and Aline Boyar. It was so great to reconnect!
I am so grateful for this amazing experience, with special thanks to EEFC staff and very hard working volunteers. We have been told that once you’ve come to EEFC Camp it will be difficult to imagine August without it. Conrad and I agree!
