About Dunava

Dunava (from Дунав, the Bulgarian name for the Danube river) is a vocal ensemble specializing in folkloric repertoire for treble voices from the Balkans and Eastern Europe. The choir is made up of singers with broad musical and performance experience and a passion for intricate harmonies and varying vocal technique. Dunava is dedicated to studying and performing traditional folk songs with respect and authenticity, and introducing audiences to these beautiful vocal traditions and songs.

Dunava is a regular performing group at Northwest Folklife Festival, Croatia Fest, Balkan Night Northwest, and the annual Bulgarian Christmas Concert (sponsored by the Bulgarian Cultural and Heritage Center). The choir has been featured by the Seattle Folklore Society concert series, by Seattle Sacred Music and Art, and has collaborated with local choirs such as Seattle City Cantabile, Bellevue Chamber Chorus, Pacifica Chamber Chorus, and Bulgarian Voices of Seattle. Dunava has worked with numerous professional singers and instructors, including Tzvetanka Varimezova, Donka Koleva, Nadia Tarnawsky, Carl Linich, Sanja Ranković, and Svetlana Spajić. 

Dunava has traveled to the Balkans twice. In 2014 they were the first American group to participate in the international Silver Buckle folk festival in Kjustendil, Bulgaria, and in 2025 they opened up the "foreign groups" stage at the national folklore festival in Koprivshtitsa. 

Dunava has released three CDs: Dunava (2009), Bulgaria (2013), and Behind the Veil (2021). The group is based in Seattle, Washington State.