(photo: Ivan Vakulenko)
From the depths of winter this issue brings you a reminder of summer, music, dancing and Balkan camp.
In this issue we’re pleased to profile Lise Liepman, a frequent instructor of santouri or Greek ensemble at the Workshops. Not only is it interesting to learn about her life in music and carousel restoration, but after many years as a member of the Program Committee, she has some valuable insights about Balkan camp and the next generation.
A record number—18 people—attended camp on scholarship this year, and you can read stories from half of them in this issue. The other half will be featured in our spring 2016 issue.
You’ll also find the latest releases from our community, a new Balkan Songs column cooked up by Bill Cope, workshop photos from both camps, and more.
Changing roles
In 2015 the EEFC News email newsletter became more frequent (it's now monthly) and full of content, thanks to Board Member Elena Erber, General Manager Rachel MacFarlane, and others. If you haven't been receiving that, you may subscribe here. And these days you can find many interesting and timely articles at the EEFC website. So communications from the Board, for example, are now more likely to appear in one of those venues than in Kef Times.
But we believe there's still a place for the longer-format reading that a publication like Kef Times offers. I hope you can carve out a little time to settle in and enjoy this issue. Even if you can't, you can at least skim the headlines, see some wonderful photos and get a good flavor of what happened at the 2015 camps. As always, we invite your contributions for consideration for future issues.
(photo: April Renae)
Ciao to Dan
Finally, Dan Auvil, who has been Kef Times’ graphic designer since 2007, has stepped down from that role. Dan brought a visual distinction to the publication (and a zaniness to the KT virtual office) that will be missed. On the other hand, the WordPress blog format we now use doesn’t lend itself to as much visual creativity as our previous format did, and Dan has plenty of other irons in the fire. Thank you, Dan, for everything you have done for the EEFC and for Kef Times through your time with the publication.