About

The Musicians

 David Chrapkiewicz (Rapkievian)

David has been a professional award-winning violin maker for almost 5 decades. In his younger years he was a choreographer, director, and dancer in multiple dance groups. David also plays fiddle with the Big Moose Band.

Carolyn Rapkievian 

Carolyn has been playing guitar with David since they married in 1991.  She is a dance director, researcher, and dance teacher with a 50-year career in museums.

Dave Quinby

David is an enthusiastic double-bass player with various local orchestras, with the Big Moose Contra Dance Band, and with smaller ensembles.

Kevin Stone

Kevin is one of the very finest accordion players in the area. He hails from the beautiful and bucolic Benton, Maine.

Anne Tatgenhorst

Inspired by her Bulgarian roots, Anne began performing songs from Eastern Europe with Kirsten Stockman, Kim Reiss and the original Maine Women's Balkan Choir in the 1990's. The group's repertoire includes songs and dance music from Poland, Ukraine, Bulgaria, Macedonia, and beyond.

Eloise Schultz

Eloise moved to Maine from New York City, where she studied classical voice and performed with ensembles around the city. Her interest in folk traditions was shaped by klezmer and shape note singing. She is also a middle school teacher.

Frances Stockman

Our youngest member, Frances is an avid singer and performer. Through Kotwica, has enthusiastically taken up the zils. She also performs with her school's show choir and with Acadia Reperatory Theatre.

The Music

Our repertoire is ever-expanding and includes songs from the Balkans to the Black Sea and beyond. Below is a partial list:


Armenia


Brittany


Bulgaria


Greece


Jewish Diaspora


Macedonia


Moldova


Poland


Quebec


Romani


Slovakia


Ukraine