Become a Member

 

Interested in Joining the BDAA?

The Balalaika and Domra Association of America (BDAA) welcomes people of all backgrounds and skill levels who want to learn, play, or simply enjoy the music of balalaika, domra, bayan, accordion, and Slavic / Eastern European folk music, singing, and dance.

 

While our focus is on the balalaika-family of instruments, there are many instruments that are traditionally part of the Slavic orchestra, including flute, oboe, clarinet, percussion, accordion/bayan, singers (and more!). Musicians who play any of these instruments are encouraged to join and play with us.

 

Not a musician? Not a problem! We have many members who do not play an instrument. We are also active in song, dance, Slavic folk crafts, and history/music/culture lectures. The BDAA has something for everyone!

Member Benefits

  • Our quarterly newsletter with up-to-date news and articles
  • Connecting with other musicians and Slavic folk orchestras worldwide
  • Access to our extensive sheet music archive
  • Resources for beginners and for improving technique
  • Classifieds and help finding instruments in North America
  • Learn about the history of these instruments and music
  • Connect with music teachers who do in-person and virtual lessons
  • An opportunity to attend our yearly convention
  • And more!

 

 

Join Today!

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.

 

Your membership also supports the only organization in North America promoting the art of balalaika, domra, and related instruments. As a non-profit institution [501(c)(3)], we rely on members like you to achieve our mission!

Individual Membership

$30 Yearly

For a single member

For U.S. & Canada

Family Membership

$35 Yearly

Multiple members at one address

For U.S. & Canada

International Membership

$35 Yearly

Same price for individuals and families

All countries outside U.S. & Canada

All prices are in U.S. dollars. Please indicate whether you would like a B&W print or full-color digital copy of the newsletter (we highly recommend the color digital copy).

Join Now!

Frequently Asked Membership Questions

Join today and you'll have access to our marketplace / classifieds section where members can sell and exchange instruments with each other. We also have resources in the Members Area for finding an instrument stateside. Local orchestras may have instruments for you to borrow and new members at conventions can also request a loaner instrument from the BDAA. The executive board can also step in and help if you're not having any luck finding an instrument.
If you can read sheet music, that's half the battle! If you've played a string instrument before, you'll catch on pretty quick. Both balalaika and domra have frets, making intonation manageable. Guitar players tend to pick up balalaika, whereas domra is more analogous to violin or mandolin. Bass (and lower register) players can also play bass balalaika or bass domra. While having previous experience with strings can be useful, any sort of musical background is great. We have some beginner resources in our Members Area for you to get started.
We love to have oboe, flute, clarinet, percussion, and accordion players in the orchestra!
We have plenty of members who enjoy the music, but do not play. Many are singers, dancers, and general music-lovers. The conventions even have a special registration price for non-musicians who want to attend workshops like dance, chorus, and our lectures, but not play in the orchestra. Some members even come to conventions just to listen and enjoy the music. We have something for everyone at the BDAA!
Roughly half of our members have no Slavic heritage or connection with Eastern Europe whatsoever. The connection we have at the BDAA is with each other and with the instruments and music. Anyone can learn balalaika and domra! At the same time, the BDAA is also a great place to explore Slavic heritage and be part of a fascinating blend of cultures between the US, the world, and the future.
No! We are a US-based organization and most of our resources are in English. That doesn't mean you'll never hear a Slavic or Eastern European language. Songs may be in Ukrainian, Yiddish, Russian, Polish (and more!), but we try to translate or transliterate into English when possible.

Social

facebook.com/balalaikadomra

 

membership (at) bdaa.com

 

Instagram coming soon!