Bulgarian Master Singers Series: Yanka Rupkina from Strandja
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ABOUT THE SERIES
New York-based Bulgarian singer Vlada Tomova, founder and director of Yasna Voices, and Sofia-based ethnomusicologist, singer, and translator Maria Stankova have curated an extraordinary series of vocal workshops with some of Bulgaria's most esteemed folk song masters.
In this series, world-renowned singers and teachers, soloists of leading ensembles and groups in Bulgaria, will teach us a song from their native region. Each class (1.5-2 hours long) will explore a different Bulgarian folkloric area and local singing style.
Classes happen bi-weekly on Sundays, 1-2:30 EDT, through October 25.
The August 30 session will feature the legendary vocalist from Strandja, Yanka Rupkina.
This Bulgarian Master Singers Series:
- Extends much-needed support to master singers in Bulgaria, who are facing dire economic times (artists received no economic relief funds in Bulgaria)
- Provides us an invaluable opportunity to study with Bulgarian luminary folk singers from the safety of our homes, while connecting with one another in times of severe isolation in this pandemic
- Creates a virtual global community of vocalists interested in deepening their understanding of Bulgarian folk singing traditions
All workshops are held on the Zoom platform, with Vlada and Maria overseeing all the technology to assure that the workshop runs smoothly. The private Zoom link for each workshop and song materials will be sent to all registrants prior to each session. Recordings of the sessions will be shared with all registrants following each class.
Cost:
$35 per class - early registration (ends 48 hrs prior to class)
$50 per class - registration within 48 hrs to class (closes 2 hrs prior to class)
$30 per class - 4 or more prepaid classes
To register, send your tuition (add $2 per class for processing fees via PAYPAL to bgmastersingers@gmail.com.
To pay by ZELLE, send your tuition to vladatomovatouring@gmail.com
Proposed upcoming workshop leaders include:
Gergana Dimitrova (Eva Quartet) - confirmed, Sunday, September 13; Silvia Dimitrova (Cosmic Voices), Galina Durmushliyska, and Guna Ivanova with songs from Dobrudja, Northern and Macedonia regions, and a special presentation.
ABOUT YANKA RUPKINA
Yanka Rupkina was born in the village of Bogdanovo, Burgas region on 15 August 1938. She grew up in a family for whom the Strandja Mountain folk songs were part of both work and pastime. Thus, Yanka was introduced to the special techniques of the Strandja singing by her grandmother. In 1960 she earned her first prize - at the folklore festival in Gramatikovo. This was the acknowledgement from specialists for her outstanding talent and the purity of her unique Strandja style of singing.
In 1961 following her success at a contest, Yanka Rupkina joined the Bulgarian National Radio Folk Song Ensemble that was later known as La Mystere Des Voix Bulgares. At the end of the 1970's Yanka Rupkina, together with Eva Georgieva and Stoyanka Boneva teamed up for the Trio Bulgarka. With the Trio Bulgarka, she provided vocal harmonies on Kate Bush's albums The Sensual World and The Red Shoes.
Rupkina subsequently performed as a soloist for the national television and the Radio Bulgaria group, Balkana. In 2005 she released a solo album 'Keranka', featuring guest appearances by Linda Ronstadt and Positive Black Soul.