Traditional folk dance and music from a variety of Old and New World cultures comes to Monroeville in the new Tamburitzans show, “Legacy.”
For the second year in a row, the event is being sponsored by Erin and Frank Bozicevic – both Tamburitzans and Duquesne University alumni. The show begins at 3 p.m. Jan. 25 at Gateway High School’s Robert A. Read Performing Arts Center, 3000 Gateway Campus Blvd.
All proceeds will go to the Frank Betty Bozicevic Memorial Fund, a scholarship fund in honor of Frank’s parents. More than 700 people attended last year’s show and the Bozicevics raised $10,000.
“Our hope was to break even and cover our expenses of hosting the performance. The support of the community overwhelmed us and exceeded our expectations,” Erin said.
The Bozicevics also want to give back to a group that had such a profound effect on their lives.
“Every year that we sponsor the show, we intend to give all of the profits back to the Tamburitzans to grow the endowment to help ensure the future of the ensemble,” Erin said.
Diverse membership
While many students are from the Pittsburgh area, the Tamburitzans consists of young adults from Florida, California, New York and Ohio. One current student is from Serbia, and they’ve previously had students from Macedonia and Bulgaria.
They perform traditional folk music dances from Croatia, Armenia, Bulgaria, Slovakia, Serbia, Mexico, Poland and the Romani cultures.
Performers study various majors at Pittsburgh-area colleges and universities.
Kari Leventopoulos, a Penn-Trafford graduate and Duquesne freshman, is studying biochemistry with a concentration on pre-med.
Leventopoulos didn’t have any previous experience with folk dancing.
“My story is a little unique,” she said. “I was trained in ballet, tap, jazz, hip-hop and chorus.”
After high school, Leventopoulos wanted to keep performing. She found out about the Tamburitzans from a member of her church.
“I love being on stage, sharing the culture and the sense of community,” she said. “You get to know everyone very well.”
Isabella Husnick is a senior studying early education at Duquesne. She started with the Tamburitzans during the covid pandemic.
“Both of my parents and paternal grandparents were in the Tamburitzans,” the Serra Catholic graduate said.
Husnick, who is in her fourth season with the group, grew up singing, performing and playing violin.
“I love doing the show, but I also love how close we all are,” Husnick said. “I sing, dance and play instruments. It keeps me on my toes.”
Plum graduate Caryn Caloiero started playing the piano when she was 4 years old and the clarinet at age 8. She sings and plays seven instruments in the show.
The CCAC sophomore plans to transfer to a four-year college and major in business. Her aunt and uncle were both in the Tamburitzans, and her cousins Sam and Sophia Caloiero also are in the show.
“I love that we’re like a family,” Caloiero said. “We get to travel all over and see places we might otherwise not see.”
Lasting memories
Erin hopes that the students are able to look back fondly on their college years and their time with the Tamburitzans.
The students don’t simply travel to a show site, perform and move on to their next destination. When possible, the group explores the cities and visits tourist attractions.
“On last year’s May tour, the cast members visited Mt. Rushmore and the Grand Canyon and explored Seattle, Las Vegas … and San Antonio in a two-week time frame,” Erin said.
After graduation, many students stay with the Tamburitzans to volunteer, while others look for other opportunities to perform locally.
“Pittsburgh is such a rich melting pot,” Erin said. “There are multiple adult groups and lots of opportunities to perform and keep up with it.”
“These students emerge as polished individuals who are leaders in their communities after spending their college years travelling around the country doing something that they are passionate about,” Erin said. “It’s a very valuable experience that can apply to the real world.”
After the performance, a reception with the Tamburitzans will be held at Christ the Divine Shepherd Parish’s St. Bernadette Church, 245 Azalea Drive in Monroeville. Food and beverages will be available for purchase.
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For tickets, which range from $15-$35, visit www.thetamburitzans.org.