History of the BDAA
Steve Wolownik (left) and Charley Rappaport (right).
1978: The BDAA Begins
In 1978 the Balalaika and Domra Association of America (BDAA) was formed by Steve Wolownik, Charley Rappaport, and Lynn Carpenter. Lynn’s first balalaika encounter was at UCLA in the early 1970’s. As she walked through a campus building she heard a wonderful sound coming from a room where she found Steve Wolownik and members of the UCLA Balalaika Orchestra.
Lynn had been to a Balkan music camp in California, which became the genesis of her idea to bring people together for a “balalaika camp.” Lynn shared her idea with master mandolin and domra player, Charley Rappaport, via letter. The three made a list of all the people they knew who played Russian folk instruments, even traveling across the US to check out balalaika groups they had heard of.
The list of American musicians interested in Russian and East European folk music continued to grow. There were “old timers” with memories to share, and young people forming trios and touring the country. The list reflected people of different ethnic origins and included professional players and amateurs. Soon there were enough names to constitute 104 charter members.
1979: The First BDAA Convention
Performance at the first BDAA convention in 1979
Performance at the first BDAA convention in 1979In 1978 the Balalaika and Domra Association of America (BDAA) was formed by Steve Wolownik, Charley Rappaport, and Lynn Carpenter. Lynn’s first balalaika encounter was at UCLA in the early 1970’s. As she walked through a campus building she heard a wonderful sound coming from a room where she found Steve Wolownik and members of the UCLA Balalaika Orchestra.
Mission Statement
The BDAA is a multi-ethnic, non-profit, non-political association organized to perpetuate music written for the balalaika and domra and related instruments, to disseminate information pertaining to the musical and cultural heritage of Eastern European traditions, and to provide a forum for the exchange of ideas and developments concerning these instruments and their musical possibilities.
History
The BDAA was formed in 1978 by three musicians (Lynn Carpenter, Charley Rappaport, and Steve Wolownik) who were interested in the study and performance of Russian and Eastern European music on the traditional folk instruments of this region. In its 42 years of existence, the BDAA has grown its membership in the US and abroad, with connections to many orchestras and ensembles worldwide. The BDAA serves as the premier organization dedicated to Russian folk music in the US and North America.
Our Activities
The BDAA is an affable and active community, both in-person and online. A few of our major pursuits include the in-person annual convention, a quarterly newsletter, educational resources, youth outreach, convention scholarships, community building / networking, and advice for finding and playing these unique instruments in the US.
Join Us!
More than anything else, the BDAA is about friendship and sharing a love of music with others. Join us today to become part of our community and create bonds that will last a lifetime.