Macedonian and Balkan Folk Music

Bill Cope

Bill Cope photo

Bill Cope is a multi-instrumentalist who began playing Balkan music in 1975 and teaching at the Balkan Music and Dance Workshops in 1982. He's made many trips to the Balkans and studied with many amazing performers, including Lyubomir Vladimirov, first chair in the Philip Kutev Ensemble. He has also performed with Dragi Spasovski, Vassil Bebelekov, Donka and Nikolay Kolevi, Yuri Yunakov, Mile Kolarov and Pece Atanasovski.

Current musical endeavors are with Dragi Spasovski and the Macedonian All Stars; Zabava! with Tom Farris, Rich Schultz, Michele Simon and Corinne Sykes; Black Sea Surf with Tom Farris, Michele Simon and Corinne Sykes Trio Zulum, with Vassil Bebelekov, Dan Auvil, and singers Maria Bebelekova; The Mehanatones with Pat MacSwyney; and Festival Chair and Music Director for the San Francisco Kolo Festival.