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Hungarian Folk Singing Circle
                        Népdalkör
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PRIVATE LESSONS, 

SMALL AND LARGE GROUP CLASSES,

WORKSHOPS, FESTIVALS, & OTHER EVENTS

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In addition to the group classes open to the general public listed on the Current Classes page, we offer many classes, workshops, and presentations to private groups and institutions. 

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​These include one-on-one private lessons, small to large groups, and large events. Typical examples include coaching choruses and dance ensembles on specific songs for a performance, guest lectures for music schools and universities, song teaching at summer camps, presentation and song teaching for tour groups visiting Hungary or scholars and researchers arriving in Hungary, presentations at conferences and festivals, song teaching at táncház in North America, friends or family members taking a private class together, a requested masterclasses on a specific topic, one-time singing workshops for Hungarian language classes, etc.


View who we have taught here.

 

These classes are held in person in Budapest and in other cities/countries with travel arrangements, and online for participants around the world.

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Beyond teaching folk songs, frequently requested topics include background information on the style, locating specific recordings or song words (archival research), pronunciation coaching, feedback and corrections on a song before a performance or recording, and working on stylistic vocal technique. See more possible topics below.

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Feel free to inquire about something not listed here, and if outside of our work, we will try to refer you to the appropriate specialist.

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Please either fill out the Registration Form or contact us directly with your inquiry.

Teaching formats:
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  • In-person or online (Zoom)
     

  • Kids, teens, or adults - all ages and levels
     

  • Private folk singing lessons and individual professional coaching - one-time or ongoing, all levels from new to the style through professional musicians preparing for performance or recording
     

  • Group folk singing classes - public or private, small group or large group, one-time or as a series
     

  • Co-teaching and hosting guest teachers from Hungary (master singers, musicians, scholars), providing translation as needed
     

  • Lectures and presentations (see topics below)
     

  • Performances - as soloist, with other singers and musicians, or with Vadalma
     
  • Combinations of the above, such as presentation and song teaching, or lecture followed by concert

    Most frequent combination, as a 1.5 - 3hr event:
    Hungarian pronunciation
    Introduction to Hungarian folk music
    Song teaching
     

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Regions taught:
 

  • Kalotaszeg (region in Transylvania)
     

  • Mezőség (region in Transylvania), in particular villages Szék and Magyarszovát
     

  • Maros-Küküllők vidéke (region in Transylvania), in particular villages Magyarlapád, Magyarbece, Magyarózd
     

  • Gyimes (valley in Carpathian mountains, Transylvania)
     

  • Bukovina (east of Carpathian mountains)
     

  • Moldva (Moldavia)
     

  • Felföld (former Northern Hungary), in particular Palócföld and villages Magyarbőd and Imreg (with harmony singing)
     

  • Dunántúl (Transdanubia), in particular Somogy and Balaton-felvidék
     

  • Sampler - variety of songs from various regions, including regions not listed above, such as Dél-Alföld, Szatmár, Szilágyság, Székelyföld, etc.

Presentation topics: ​

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  • Hungarian Pronunciation - see levels here​

  • Introduction to Hungarian folk music, including cultural regions, instruments, collecting, revival, and resources

  • Hungarian folk singing in the traditional village context

  • Vocal technique in Hungarian folk singing

  • Hungarian folk music instruments

  • History of song collecting and folk music revival in HU

  • Hungarian folk music archives and how to use them

  • Contemporary folk music revival in Budapest

  • Current resources: archives, institutions, venues, publications, etc

  • Teaching and study methodology in the style (Táncház Method as recognized by UNESCO)

  • Adaptation of the Táncház Method for English speakers

  • Lessons learned from folk song collecting work

  • Notation issues in Hungarian folk song transcription

  • Values and worldview in Hungarian folk song lyrics

  • North American Hungarian diaspora

  • History of the San Francisco Népdalkör and Vadalma
    ... and other topics upon request

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Song types:
 

  • Dance songs (csárdás, lassú, kanásztánc, karikázó, etc.)

  • Plaintive/grieving songs (keserves and related)

  • Songs sung during evening spinning (fonó, guzsalyas)

  • Lullabies

  • Ballads

  • Love and courtship songs

  • Shepherds' songs

  • Seasonal songs - springtime, Christmas, etc.
    ... and more
     

  • Popular songs for folk dancers (táncház slágerek)

  • Advanced songs for experienced/professional singers

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