2025 Convention: Reno, NV
The 45th Annual BDAA Convention:
July 8-12, 2025
Reno, NV
Guest Artists
This year we welcome back these amazing guest artists:
Denis Zhukov – Prima Balalaika
Guzel Safiullina – Prima Domra
Dr. Alexander Tentser – Festival Orchestra Conductor
Guzel Safiullina
Prima Domra
Guzel is a musician and teacher with 17+ years of experience. She graduated from the Gnessin Russian Academy of Music in Moscow, Russia, majoring in domra. Guzel is a Laureate of international competitions, and the Grand Prix at the international festival “Mediterranean Legend” in Spain. She now lives in Los Angeles, where she continues to perform and teach.
Dr. Alexander Tentser
Orchestra Conductor
Dr. Tentser is a gifted pianist and professor of music originally from Kyiv, Ukraine. He currently conducts the Pima Community College Orchestra and the Arizona Balalaika Orchestra. Alexander performs as a piano soloist, as part of a violin / piano duo, and is a sought-after music lecturer.
Denis Zhukov
Prima Balalaika
Denis is a prodigious balalaika performer and soloist, and is a Laureate of prestigious international competitions. Denis also teaches and founded a children’s orchestra of Slavic folk instruments. He performs in several innovative musical projects that combine folk and modern music, including “Bryatz Guys“– The new age of balalaika, which truly pushes balalaika to the limit
With Special Guest Artists
The Golden Domes of Russia
Traditional Slavic Dancers from Reno, NV
In 1998, Galina Ohanian created the ensemble “Golden Domes of Russia.” Over the years, “Golden Domes of Russia” has hosted many Russian festivals, New Year’s Balls, Christmas parties for children, and “Family Day” celebrations in the park. Since 2006, they have been regular participants in the Russian Festival in San Francisco. In November 2023, “Golden Domes of Russia” prepared and held a grand show dedicated to their 25th anniversary.
Registration
Convention registration will open in early spring of 2025.
We ask that everyone registers as soon as possible after registration opens for planning purposes. To facilitate early bookings, registration costs will increase after June 15th.
You can register online if paying by credit card or by mail if paying with a check. If paying by credit card, you must fill out a separate form and pay separately for each person in your family or group (additional credit card payment instructions can be found here). Multiple registrations can be grouped together if paying by mail.
Hotel Location
The convention will be held at the Circus Circus Casino Hotel in Reno, NV. We will have a special BDAA room rate available soon.
The BDAA convention rate is available to BDAA members, their friends, and family. Please book for yourself and your friends/family with the BDAA code and not through third party services.
The hotel will likely sell out of rooms during the busy summer season, so it’s imperative that you book early!
Scholarship Application
Each year we offer multiple scholarships to cover registration costs for the convention through the Michael Kolos & Walter Kasura Scholarship Fund. Scholarships are available to all BDAA members, whether it is their first convention or not. Anyone who has an interest in Slavic folk music, attending a convention, and has a financial need is welcome to apply.
Note there is a lifetime limit of 2 scholarships per member, but we do have extra resources available through our Youth Initiative Fund for students and young members who have maxed out their scholarship awards. If this is relevant to you, then we encourage you to fill out the scholarship application to request assistance through the Youth Initiative.
The application deadline is Midnight (EDT) on May 15th, 2025
The 2015 scholarship convention attendees
Concert Information
The annual BDAA Festival Concert will be held on Saturday, July 12th, 2025 at 7:30 pm in the ballroom of the Circus Circus Casino Hotel in Reno, NV.
The concert brings together musicians from around the world performing Eastern European and Roma folk music and is the culmination of the BDAA’s annual convention. The performance will feature our virtuoso guest artists with a 60-piece folk orchestra.
Sheet Music Access
When your registration has processed we will email you an access code / login code to download and print copies of the orchestra and workshop music. You can go directly to the link in your email or enter the login information below to be redirected.
Workshops and Daily Schedule
The convention starts Tuesday, July 8th at ~4:00 PM with orchestra rehearsal. We will break for dinner and then have a performance and welcome party Tuesday night at ~8:00 PM.
This year we are offering many of our classic (and favorite) workshops, alongside some new ones
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- Balalaika technique, balalaika choir, and beginning lessons
- Domra technique, domra choir, and beginning lessons
- Bayan / accordion
- Slavic folk dance
- Chorus
- Festival orchestra
- Music lectures
- Evening concerts, open mic, and jamming
- And more to be announced!
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How do I get to Reno and the Hotel?
If flying, the best option is the Reno-Tahoe International Airport. The Reno airport is very close to the city center and there is a free shuttle to the hotel called The Row. Proceed to the baggage claim area and follow the signage directing you to the general airport shuttle area to board.
Reno is also within driving distance of many Western states and provinces, such as California, Arizona, and British Columbia.
Before You Leave for Reno:
- Bring items for the auction – anything you think will help raise money for the BDAA and the Scholarship Fund.
- Print your sheet music. Music for the orchestra and all workshops (except for beginning classes) are posted online.
- Pack a nice outfit for the banquet on Friday night.
- If playing in the orchestra, bring an ethnic costume or orchestra attire (black & white or all black) for the concert on Saturday. See below for extra details.
- Bring a music stand if you can.
- Bring jamming books & lead sheets for the evening parties. All types of music are welcome at the jam – we want a diverse our jamming repertoire.
- Email your coordinators at BDAA.board (at) gmail.com if you have convention questions!
Festival Orchestra Attire & Costumes
As a multi-ethnic organization, there is no standard BDAA folk costume for the festival concert. We represent multiple countries and cultures and let everyone wear the folk attire they want to, resulting in a beautiful and colorful smorgasbord on stage. If you are new and do not have a folk costume, people will often bring extra costumes / accessories you may be able to borrow. If not, you can wear the classic all black, or black & white orchestra attire for the concert.
With the recent political strife in Eastern Europe, we understand that some musicians may feel strongly about wearing or not wearing the costumes of certain countries in either protest or in solidarity. We support each orchestra member deciding to dress as their conscience may dictate.
Workshop Leaders & Convention Team
Denis Zhukov – Balalaika Choir / Balalaika Technique
Guzel Safiullina – Domra Choir / Domra Technique
Dr. Alexander Tentser – Music Lecture
Dr. Tentser is a gifted pianist and professor of music originally from Kyiv, Ukraine. He currently conducts the Pima Community College Orchestra and the Arizona Balalaika Orchestra. Alexander performs as a piano soloist, as part of a violin / piano duo, and is a sought-after music lecturer.
More workshop staff coming soon!
2025 Sponsors / Donors
The BDAA is a non-profit organization that relies on the generosity of our members, donors, and sponsors.
We are seeking additional donations and sponsorships for the concert. If you would like to donate and be recognized here and in our concert playbill / program booklet as an individual or as an organization please click below to go directly to the donation site or email BDAA.board (at) gmail.com for more info.
2025 Concert Donors
- Stephan Kosmorsky
- Balalaika Soloist Chair has been named in honor of Stephan Kosmorsky for his continued support of the BDAA