William (Billy) Giaquinto
Location: Santa Fe, N.M.
Occupation: I work as a general music teacher for grades K-6 as well as a freelance trumpet player and vocalist.
Connection to Balkan music/dance: I currently perform with the Sevda Choir run by Willa Roberts. I also have recently started a Balkan brass band in Santa Fe with Char Rothschild.
Number of times at Balkan camp: This was my second year coming to camp.
Studied at camp: My main focus at dance was trumpet playing in the brass band and studying with Nizo Alimov.
William (Billy) Giaquinto
Memorable moment at camp: This year I had learned enough material to be able to play a bit in the kafana for a large brass band jam. It was an incredible experience to take what I had been working on throughout the year since my first camp experience and apply it to collective music making. The feedback was positive and I felt embraced by my new family. I was encouraged and elated. This was the night that I felt as if I had solidified my newfound relationship to the music and the wonderful brass musicians in the EEFC community. Because of these new deep connections forged by the experience, I am already planning and looking forward to next year’s camp.