Chestita Nova Godina – Happy New Year from Orfeia!
Our album is on Bandcamp! We are excited to announce that our album Izgrjala e Mesechinka ∗ The Moon Rose is now available on Bandcamp. Enjoy!
Learn Bulgarian Traditional Songs – Orfeia on-line! We take you through the music, lyrics, and pronunciation — it’s all there so that you can sing, too! The links are on our Listen page. Enjoy!
A Beautiful Day for EU Embassy Open House 2025. There was spectacular weather for serenading visitors from the balcony of the Embassy of Bulgaria, where visitors got a taste of Bulgarian food, wine and culture — and music!
Anniversary Celebration. We were delighted to open the concert at the historic Anderson House celebrating the 20th
anniversary of Bulgaria’s membership in NATO, featuring the world-renowned Bulgarian harpist Suzanna Klintcharova and American violinist Emera Kandybin, with remarks by Ambassabor Georgi Panayotov and Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Sonata Coulter.
“Welcome to Washington” welcomed us. We had a delightful time sharing Bulgarian music and traditions with members of the Welcome to Washington International Club – a wonderful audience.
Celebrate! Before a full house at the 120th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Bulgaria and the USA, Tanya was called up from the audience for an impromptu performance with the Teodosii Spasov Folk Quintet, an ensemble of virtuoso Bulgarian musicians led by master kaval player Teodosii Spasov. Tanya sang – and taught the audience a song! As the Bulgarian Embassy reported, “Tatyana [drew] the audience in and made the evening even more exciting. This unexpected musical moment reminded us that music has the power to connect people . . . .”
Tatiana and Pirin Ensemble – together again! Our Artistic Director joined Pirin Ensemble for a sold-out 70th anniversary concert at the National Palace of Culture (NDK) in Sofia, Bulgaria. You can check out one of Tanya’s media appearances here. The interview is in Bulgarian, but even if you don’t speak the language you can still enjoy the singing!
Sandy Spring Museum Organization-in-Residence Program! We were honored to be selected as a participant in Sandy Spring Museum’s first
Organization-in-Residence class, together with Sutradhar Institute of Dance and Related Arts (SIDRA). The OIR program offers training and technical support to traditional arts organizations. Great organization, great concept!
Tatiana on Bulgarian National Television! Check out Tatiana’s interview and performance on BNT. You’ll have to brush up on your Bulgarian for the interview, but you can enjoy the songs no matter what!
CONGRATULATIONS. TANYA!! In 2020, our incomparable director Tatiana Sarbinska was awarded the Cyril and Methodius Necklace,
Bulgaria’s highest cultural honor, by the President of the Republic of Bulgaria, Rumen Radev, for especially significant contributions to the preservation, development, and popularization of Bulgarian tradition and culture in Bulgaria and around the world. Bravo, Tanya!! Обичаме те — we love you! Check out Tanya on Bulgarian National Television!
A NEW BULGARIAN MUSIC FAN! Ansu emailed us, “Your performance at the Embassy of Bulgaria for #EUOpenHouse was entrancing. I especially liked your explanation of dissonance and rhythm in the Bulgarian folk compositions, that helped us appreciate what we were hearing even more. I loved the slightly eastern-tonality of your pieces. I look forward to attending more performances. People literally stopped in their tracks on the street to listen to you…outstanding harmonies and unusual, stimulating sound. Great job you all! I posted about you on Twitter.” Thanks!!
Orfeia 