EEFC 2008-2009 Board of Directors
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Current Board Members
Michael Sensor
President
Development Chair
Term: 9/2005 - 9/2011
Lives in Hockessin, DE
Michael Sensor developed an interest in music as a child, thanks to grandparents with a huge record collection and several patient band directors. While receiving his undergraduate degree in German from Temple University, he joined the University of Pennsylvania Balalaika Orchestra, under the tutelage of the late Steve Wolownik, an EEFC member and frequent Balkan Camp visitor. There, he not only learned how to play Russian, Ukrainian, and Romanian folk tunes, but also had his ears and mind opened up to an even broader horizon of music from Steve's vast collection of LPs and cassettes from all over Eastern Europe.
Michael had heard about a mystical place called "Balkan Camp," but didn't quite know what it was. Until, that is, one day he stumbled across a piece of Macedonian music, after which he was hooked—and scoured the ends of the earth for as much Balkan music as he could find, whereupon he naturally came across the EEFC. He attended his first Balkan Dance & Music Workshop in 2001 in Ramblewood as the partial-work exchange Cleanup Coordinator. "I couldn't believe there was actually a place where Balkan music was being played live. From the moment I walked into my first dance party, it felt like paradise: a whirling, colorful blend of twinkling lights, dancing feet, soaring melodies, and lilting voices." Since then, Michael has attended the East Coast Balkan camp every year, and also visited Mendocino in 2002.
"I can't put too fine a point on it: the EEFC is my family. And we feel like family to each other. We watch out for each other, are unfailingly polite and kind, and work hard to create a sense of community. For this reason, my Workshop experiences have literally been life-changing. Being able to spend a week with world-class musicians and dancers is beyond words. At camp, you can make your own world. You can create ethereal music anytime you want, anywhere you want—that's something you can't find anywhere else. And the nice thing is that the more you put into your experience, the more you get out of it!"
Michael is an attorney in private practice with the Wilmington, Delaware firm of Perry & Sensor, practicing primarily in tort and insurance law. His non-musical interests include writing, railroading, linguistics, and foreign travel. He lives in Hockessin, Delaware with his wife Patricia, and occasionally Russian folk music when he's not jamming at Balkan camp.
Denys Carrillo
Vice President
Term: 9/2004 - 9/2010
Lives in Port Townsend, WA
"I first heard and saw Balkan music and dance performed at the Renaissance Faire (by The Golden Toad—anyone remember them?) in 1969 or so, and didn't know what it was, but I liked it. That was the beginning for me: sitting on a hay bale in a eucalyptus grove on a beautiful day. Within a few years, I was attending every dance class I could find.
"Although I attended a number of dance camps in the intervening years, I wasn't introduced to the EEFC world until 1997, when I attended Balkan camp for the first time, and it was love at first sight. I haven't missed a year since, and now enjoy participating in both the dance and music worlds.
"The EEFC family has become very important to me, and at this point I can't imagine life without it. I have met so many wonderful people through dance and music, and am lucky enough to now call many of them dear friends. I've seen many of the camp kids grow up and choose to become more involved in this fabulous world—this means we're doing it right! As a Board member, I hope I can help this wonderful, supportive family continue to thrive."
Riccardo Heald
Secretary
Term: 9/2008 - 9/2011
Lives in New York, NY
Riccardo Heald is an active volunteer (is there any other kind?) for the Golden Festival organizing committee and has organized and run many camps and musical events. He plays fiddle (Cajun, Romanian, Hungarian), loves to dance and is a food and wine aficionado. Rick lives in New York City and is an engineer by trade.
"Like everybody else at Balkan Camp I was floored when I attended my first Balkan Camp (Mike Sensor talked me into going.) The warmth, playfulness, creativity, and camaraderie of camp blew my mind the first time I went. I've enjoyed the music of the Balkans for many years but to share it with the Balkan Camp folks is the icing on the cake and Balkan Camp loves its food!
"I've been influenced by the Balkan Camp experience even before I ever stepped into a camp. Years ago, I co-produced a folk music-dance camp with my good friend and mentor, Steve Wolownik. As a Balkan Camp attendee himself, he brought many of of the successful ideas of Balkan Camp to our camp. Ideas such as small groups, emphasis on musicians playing for dancers, recitals, evening music parties, playing by ear, and eating well. Our camp was in many ways an 'echo' of Balkan Camp.
"I sometimes think of the EEFC and Balkan Camp as a 'stone that keeps splashing in a pond that ripples people outwards.' I have seen camp attendees going out back into the world starting groups, creating organizations, producing concerts and events. I have spoken to some of these people and have come to realize how 'charged up' they get at Balkan Camp. I have sincerely come to believe that Balkan Camp, in its quirky, talented, empowering, and creative way, makes the world a better place. It really does!
"I am honored that I have been selected to be on the EEFC board and will try my best to live up to the trust this community has placed in me. Thank you!"
Brenna MacCrimmon
Advisory Liaison
Term: 9/2008 - 9/2011
Lives in Toronto, ON
Brenna MacCrimmon is a singer of international renown, has produced several popular CDs and has been a frequent teacher at EEFC's Balkan Dance & Music workshops. When not touring or traveling, she resides in Toronto, Ontario.
Linda Mucyn
Treasurer
Term: 9/2009 - 9/2012
Lives in Lake View, NY
Ann Norton
Membership
Term: 9/2009 - 9/2012
Lives in Lafayette, CA
Ann has been folk dancing since 1975; Balkan dance and music was her favorite from the start. She danced with performance groups in Colorado and California in the 1970s and 1980s and attended her first Balkan camp in Mendocino in 1983. She has only missed one year since then, but went to both East and West Coast camps another year to make up for it. Over the years Ann has taken beginning classes in many instruments and in singing, but decided that she was better suited to dancing to Balkan music than to producing it. When she left Colorado in 1986, Ann decided to settle in an area that had lots of live Balkan music, and ended up in the San Francisco bay area. She still lives there with her husband Mike, who she met at Balkan Camp, two dogs and three cats. In real life, Ann is a veterinary technician.
“After many years of doing work exchange for the Mendocino workshop, I’m looking forward to doing a lot more for the EEFC while I’m on the board. I can’t think of any organization that has had a bigger impact on my life. EEFC people are family, and camp is home.”
Demetri Tashie
Publicity
Advisory Liaison
Term: 9/2008 - 9/2011
Lives in Jackson Heights, NY
Demetri Tashie is a talented musician playing, among other instruments, lauoto and zourna and has attended many EEFC camps on both coasts. Demetri’s been a long time mover and shaker with the Greek American Folklore Society (GAFS) and is currently on their board. He is also a respected judge for the FDF and HDF Greek festivals. He lives in Jackson Heights, N.Y., and is a graphic designer.
Rachel MacFarlane
EEFC General Manager
Lives in Oakland, CA
Contacting the EEFC Board
To reach the board, please write or call us at:
Board Liaison
East European Folklife Center
P.O. Box 12488
Berkeley, CA 94712-3488
tel.: 510/547-1118
Or email the board liaison at
