Daniela was introduced to me by a folkdance colleague as “the top” person for Bulgarian dance and music to bring as a guest. Her many visits to my Movement and Culture classes at Western Washington University have been so well loved, and profound learning experiences. There is so much more to teaching a dance from a specific culture, and Daniela has a way to introduce students to dance, call and response in Bulgarian; music, and singing so that for beginners (as some of the students are to dance) or more advanced (Dance Program dancers) are able feel the joy and empowerment of themselves as young people as part of a community. Due to the questions and need of the situation, she created an ebook with lots of information and links that is so interesting and inviting to students they read it. She also participated as a choreographer for our spring Dance in Concert with dance students, creating a suite of dances from several parts of Bulgaria. The choreography, costumes, singing, calls, performative feedback, created a total immersion for students which ended with the entire Dance Program participating in the pravo at the end. Daniela’s dance and musical background are extensive and she is a foremost researcher also. I recommend her highly.
Penny Hutchinson
Associate Professor of Dance, Western Washington University
