EEFC Online Workshops

In keeping with the virtual demands of our modern times, EEFC is excited to sponsor a changing selection of live online class series, taught by our beloved workshop teachers. All classes are held on Zoom and require one-time pre-registration. Zoom meeting information will be provided upon registration (see FAQs below).

For each class, please consider a free-will payment to EEFC (suggested $15 per class or $50 for 4 weeks unless otherwise noted). Please join us even if you can’t pay! If you’re experiencing financial hardship, we hope these events will give you respite from your worries and become a highlight in your week. Your presence is gift enough!

Check the EEFC event calendar for latest event information.

Not the right time to join a class? Consider a donation of any size to EEFC to help keep our programs running during these challenging days. Thank you!

May – June 2021 Classes – NEW!

Macedonian Village Ensemble with David Bilides

Mondays, 5/3, 5/10, 5/17, 5/24, and 6/7/2021 — 5:00 – 6:15 p.m. Pacific Time
In this five-class course we’ll learn up to 5 dance tunes from Macedonia that feature and focus on village (“izvoren”) instruments such as the gajda, kaval, tambura, and tapan. Since we’re online, any instrument can join this ensemble and all participants will enjoy becoming more familiar with Macedonian music. All students who can produce a sound out of their instruments are welcome, and ornaments and rhythmic patterns suitable to your level will be provided. We’ll keep the tempo reasonable, too!

At the end of this course we will try our hand at a class video, as a special memento. Recording for the ensemble video will take place at the final review class on June 7th. See more information on the registration form.

Register here. As we are asking students to commit to the whole course, we will not have drop-in options. The $75 tuition for this series will cover all instructor and technical expenses. Access to class materials will be made available to you upon registration.

Greek Dance with Rena Karyofyllidou and Kyriakos Moisidis

Saturdays, 5/8, 5/15, 5/22, and 5/29/2021 — noon – 1:15 p.m. Eastern Time (7:00 p.m. – 8:15 p.m. East European Summer Time)
Greek dance instruction direct from Thessaloniki!, from two fantastic teachers. Each week of the four-class session will be devoted to a different folklore region of Greece, including East Macedonia, Central Macedonia, Western and Northern Thrace, and Western and Eastern Pontos. Dance levels will be of varying difficulties, and we will cover men’s and women’s styling and aspects of improvisation. Dancers of all levels are welcome! See more information on the registration form.

Register here, one time only, at least 2 hours before your first class. Access to class materials will be made available to you upon registration.

Tapan/Daouli: Opening Balkan Dance Space with Jerry Kisslinger

Tuesdays, 5/25, 6/1, 6/8, and 6/15/2021 — 8:00 – 9:15 p.m. Eastern Time
Veteran EEFC teacher Jerry Kisslinger invites you beyond the borders of meter to explore nuances in the dance rhythms of the southwestern Balkans. We will emphasize elements that make the music so inviting to dancers. The pulse that gives dances their feel. Tempo progressions, the pull and push of beats to suit the movements of the dance line, the two-measure phrasing that weaves the melody, the drum, and the feet into a rhythmic whole. And maybe a dash of syncopation to awaken the dancers’ ears and feet. Drawing on examples from the zurna/daouli (zurla/tapan), Macedonian brass and izvorno (village dance) repertoire, we will build a vocabulary of phrases that is both specific and transferable. This class will be taught on tapan/tupan/daouli, and we’ll also review basic stick technique. Other percussion instruments are welcome. Class material will range in difficulty. All levels are welcome! See more information on the registration form.

Register here, one time only, at least 2 hours before your first class. Access to class materials will be made available to you upon registration.

FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions

When will I receive the Zoom link?
To maintain cybersecurity, a new Zoom meeting number and password will be sent each week about two hours before each class starts. Please begin to sign into the meeting 15 minutes before our start time. Volunteers will be available to assist you. If there is a sound/lighting check with the teacher in progress, please wait until we’re finished to unmute and begin your greetings and salutations!

Do I need a Facebook account to participate?
No, all classes are conducted via Zoom, and essential information will always be sent out via email.

Will music and video be provided?
Each teacher has the option to make source materials available on password-protected pages. Password access to class materials pages will be provided in your registration confirmation and in the emails sent out two hours before each class. Password-protected links to streaming videos of each completed class will be provided to students separately via email.