Eve Bernhard
Location: Waitsfield, Vt.
Occupation: I mentor farm- and forest-based education.
Connection to Balkan music/dance: I play Balkan music in a wonderful little group, consisting of cello, clarinet, doumbek and violin! Most of the music that I listen to at home is Balkan, and—after Balkan dancing at camp for the first time and thoroughly enjoying it—I go to the small Balkan singing and dancing meet-up that occurs sometimes near my home.
Number of times at Balkan camp: First time!
Studied at camp: Singing with Eva Salina, doumbek with Polly Ferber, dance classes.
Memorable moment at camp: Many moments at camp awed me. The sheer talent of so many musicians and dancers was deeply inspiring and a true delight to be around. Never before have my ears been so pleased so many days in a row! Never before have I danced so late into the night so many nights, energized by the amazing sounds and people around me! I loved the family vibe, too—the closeness and simultaneous openness of the campers. Perhaps the strongest sentiment I had was that after being that weird girl lonesomely in love with Balkan music for much of my life, it felt a little like coming home. Thank you, EEFC! I am so very grateful for this experience!