Michele Simon - MFC Camp Band / Macedonian/Balkan Singing / Balkan Doumbek & Frame Drumming
Michele Simon is a gifted and generous teacher, and a talented collaborator. She has been involved with Balkan folk music for most of her lifetime as a dancer, singer, drummer and teacher and has performed with many groups over the years, including KITKA Women's Vocal Ensemble, and the Balkan bands Anoush, Brass Menazeri, Helladelics, and Zabava! Izvorno.
Michele has been singing since before she could talk, singing Balkan music since 1989. She has studied with numerous native-born singers, and has appeared on recordings and stages across America and in Bulgaria, as well as on Bulgarian National TV. Michele teaches private students and workshops throughout the West, including the popular "Balkan Vocal Technique" class at Mendocino Balkan Camp workshop. As a singing teacher, Michele's specialty is integrating Balkan vocal styles with American voices, focusing on placement, ornaments, and pronunciation using innovative imagery and exercises.
As a drummer, Michele plays the big drum known variously as tupan/daouli/davul, as well as doumbek and frame drum. She has played her way through a multitude of Balkan dance rhythms, including odd-metered time signatures (5/8, 7/8, 9/8, 11/8), as well as rhythms that stretch out of time. Her background as a dancer gives her a special understanding of the rhythms; her teaching of percussion includes both technique and the "feel" of the rhythm.
Michele is a valued, long standing member of our Folklore Camp teaching staff, band member, and part of our beloved Folklore family. This summer she will be teaching our daily "Doumbek" class where campers will get an opportunity to learn both technique and a variety of Balkan dance rhythms on the doumbek. This is a class for all levels; beginners welcome. If you have a drum, bring it!
She will also be leading our popular after dinner "Balkan Sing Along" during the week. And in preparation for that she will be teaching two singing workshops to go over some of the favorite songs from the EEFC songbook. So, grab your drum/percussion instrument and song book (limited copies to share at camp) and look forward to wonderful, well instructed, fun classes with Michele
Michele has been singing since before she could talk, singing Balkan music since 1989. She has studied with numerous native-born singers, and has appeared on recordings and stages across America and in Bulgaria, as well as on Bulgarian National TV. Michele teaches private students and workshops throughout the West, including the popular "Balkan Vocal Technique" class at Mendocino Balkan Camp workshop. As a singing teacher, Michele's specialty is integrating Balkan vocal styles with American voices, focusing on placement, ornaments, and pronunciation using innovative imagery and exercises.
As a drummer, Michele plays the big drum known variously as tupan/daouli/davul, as well as doumbek and frame drum. She has played her way through a multitude of Balkan dance rhythms, including odd-metered time signatures (5/8, 7/8, 9/8, 11/8), as well as rhythms that stretch out of time. Her background as a dancer gives her a special understanding of the rhythms; her teaching of percussion includes both technique and the "feel" of the rhythm.
Michele is a valued, long standing member of our Folklore Camp teaching staff, band member, and part of our beloved Folklore family. This summer she will be teaching our daily "Doumbek" class where campers will get an opportunity to learn both technique and a variety of Balkan dance rhythms on the doumbek. This is a class for all levels; beginners welcome. If you have a drum, bring it!
She will also be leading our popular after dinner "Balkan Sing Along" during the week. And in preparation for that she will be teaching two singing workshops to go over some of the favorite songs from the EEFC songbook. So, grab your drum/percussion instrument and song book (limited copies to share at camp) and look forward to wonderful, well instructed, fun classes with Michele
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