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Send Dunava to Bulgaria

After studying and performing Balkan folk songs for nine years, this group of American singers finally gets to travel and study in Bulgaria!

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Send Dunava to Bulgaria

Send Dunava to Bulgaria

Send Dunava to Bulgaria

Send Dunava to Bulgaria

Send Dunava to Bulgaria

After studying and performing Balkan folk songs for nine years, this group of American singers finally gets to travel and study in Bulgaria!

After studying and performing Balkan folk songs for nine years, this group of American singers finally gets to travel and study in Bulgaria!

After studying and performing Balkan folk songs for nine years, this group of American singers finally gets to travel and study in Bulgaria!

After studying and performing Balkan folk songs for nine years, this group of American singers finally gets to travel and study in Bulgaria!

Dina Trageser
Dina Trageser
Dina Trageser
Dina Trageser
1 Campaign |
Seattle, United States
$7,187 USD 155 backers
89% of $8,000 Flexible Goal Flexible Goal

Zdravei!  We are Dunava, a women’s choir in Seattle, and we specialize in folk music of the Balkans. Have you ever heard recordings of Le Mystère des Voix Bulgares, the Bulgarian women’s choir? This is the most beautiful and haunting choral music in the world, and this is what we love.

We started singing together in 2005, released our first CD in 2009, and our second in 2013. Our name comes from the river Danube, which flows through central and Eastern Europe. We also sing songs from the cities and villages of other Balkan and East European countries, and this past year we’ve been focusing on Bulgarian music.

No matter how many source recordings we listen to, or how many Bulgarian musicians we meet and study with, we are still far, far away from the source of our music. We realized years ago that we need to travel to Bulgaria, but we kept putting it off because the cost is so high. Airfare alone can be up to $2000 per person. Lodging, transportation, and music workshops double that amount easily. It’s a tall order for an amateur choir!

However, we need to go. After nine years, only a trip to the “home country” will take us to the next level as singers and as an ensemble. We are working with two amazing musicians and dear people, Tzvetanka and Ivan Varimezov, who are arranging our dream itinerary for us. We will travel to Sofia, Varna, Burgas, Kotel, Bansko, and Pazardzhik to meet and learn from some of the best professional Bulgarian musicians, singers, and choirs.

But this isn’t just about us. We also want to convey the message to Bulgarians that their music and culture is treasured and admired even as far away as Seattle, and a small group of Americans is dedicated to perfecting it.

When we get home, watch out! You won’t be able to tell the difference between us and Le Mystère! We will unlock the mystery and bring it home to you—our present and future fans.  

What We Need & What You Get

This trip costs $4,000 per person. We are each paying for our own airfare, and we have already raised over $13,000 through CD sales, concerts, workshops, and fundraising events.

We still need $8,000 to cover food, lodging, and ground transportation for everyone.  

Why should you help us? Because we want to share the incredible beauty of Bulgarian songs with you! We have all kinds of perks: CDs, concert tickets, invitations to parties and concerts, singing telegrams, postcards, and a tour video!

All the money you contribute will help cover our travel costs in Bulgaria, and every little bit helps.

Other Ways You Can Help

Please spread the word about our campaign. Tell your friends via Facebook, Twitter, and other social media, or use the Indiegogo share tools below.  You can also join our mailing list at http://www.dunava.org 

Thank you! Blagodarya!

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Choose your Perk

Personal Haiku

$10 USD
We'll send you a postcard with a haiku, thanking you personally for your donation, directly from Bulgaria!
15 out of 50 of claimed

Dunava CD

$25 USD
We'll send you our latest CD, "Bulgaria," a compilation of (mostly) a cappella Bulgarian songs.
38 out of 50 of claimed

After-Party

$50 USD
We're throwing a party when we come back! We'll show videos, tell stories, and sing some of the songs we learned. (To be scheduled at a convenient time for all participants. Party will be located in the greater Seattle area.)
16 out of 100 of claimed

Postcard Set

$50 USD
We'll take pictures in Bulgaria and send you 10 of the very best ones in a postcard set.
10 out of 25 of claimed

Singing Telegram

$100 USD
Personalized birthday singing telegram mp3! We'll record a birthday song for you or a friend, to be delivered on the special day.
4 out of 25 of claimed

Tour Video

$250 USD
We're compiling a video of our entire trip, including workshops, lessons, sight-seeing, and performances.
0 out of 50 of claimed

Singing Workshop

$500 USD
For new and experienced singers! For you and 9 of your favorite singer friends, we'll share everything we know about singing Balkan and Bulgarian music, and will teach a couple of songs. To be scheduled at a convenient time for all participants. (Available only in the greater Puget Sound area)
0 claimed

House Concert

$500 USD
We'll come to your house for a private concert! Invite your closest friends, or just have us serenade you personally. Requests are welcome! (Available only in the greater Puget Sound area)
0 out of 5 of claimed

Oi Shope Shope!

$1,000 USD
A house concert OR singing workshop for 10, a personalized haiku, a CD, postcard set, party invitation, tour video, and 4 front row seats at our Town Hall concert. Plus, our undying love!
0 claimed
sold out

Concert Tickets

$100 USD
10 out of 10 of claimed
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