Workshop teachers
Yves Moreau
In 1966, fascinated by Balkan folklore, 17-year-old Yves Moreau first went to Bulgaria. He traveled around the country, recording dancers, singers, and instrumentalists on film and tape, and learned to speak Bulgarian. He returned to Bulgaria almost annually between 1966 and 1986 to research dance and record music.
Now recognized as one of North America's foremost exponents of Bulgarian dance and folklore, he has, for more than 50 years, been lecturing and conducting workshops on Bulgarian, Balkan, and Québcois dance throughout North America as well as in Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Hungary, Israel, Italy, Japan, Mexico, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Singapore, Slovenia, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Thailand, and the United Kingdom.
Sergiu Popa
Sergiu Popa, originally from Moldova, has become an important part of Montreal's world-music scene since his arrival in 2002. A conservatory-trained virtuoso accordionist from a Roma family dynasty of musicians, he is a specialist in the traditional music of SouthEastern Europe. As well, he has absorbed a wide variety of influences from the worlds of jazz, Latin, and Middle-Eastern music. A sought-after teacher of accordion, he has offered workshops at CAMMAC, KlezKanada, Django in June, and the EEFC’s Balkan Camp.
Winner of the Radio Canada Étoiles Galaxie prize (2007), the first Prix Diversité (2008), and finalist at the national Roland V-accordion competition (2009, 2013), Sergiu has performed and recorded as a soloist, and toured Quebec's major festivals and Maisons de la culture. Sergiu has released two solo albums, Obsession Accordéon (2006) and Tous en accord (2014), as well as an instructional DVD, Gypsy & East European Accordion with Sergiu Popa (2010).
Eva Salina
California-grown, Brooklyn-based Eva Salina is a groundbreaking interpreter of Balkan Romani songs. Raised in the US Balkan Diaspora, Eva's mentors are some of the greatest living Balkan musicians. Eva’s rich, supple voice moves effortlessly through the intricate and demanding expression of Romani songs, intertwining vintage pop songs with her singular interpretations. A passionate activist for dialogue and mutual understanding, and an advocate for women in traditional and traditionally-based music, Eva is committed to a life of collaboration and evolving musical traditions.
