Lili Fundak-Kaszai is one of Hungary’s most creative, enterprising, and highly acclaimed folk dancers and singers.  She co-directs the prolific Angyalföldi Vadrozsa Ensemble, is a former winner of the Fölszállott a Páva nationally televised folk competition, and is a brilliant singer who has performed widely with the world music sensation Besh o droM and the internationally-known Zagyva Folk Band.  

Interview highlights:  

- the secret recipe in growing and maintaining a large folkdance group in Hungary; 

- how an unlikely phone call led to her joining Besh o droM; 

- challenges to excelling in a generally male-dominated folkdance world; 

- what winning the Fölszállott a Páva did for her career; and 

- tips on how to draw inspiration for folkdance choreographies.  

Released on December 27, 2020.

Tanchaz Talk is the world’s only English-language program focusing primarily on Hungarian folk music.

“Tanchaz Talk Interviews” features long-form interviews with a wide range of guests appearing on the program. More (non-interview) episodes of Tanchaz Talk, featuring a mix of music and stories, are available on www.tanchaz.com and on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/user/kalmanmagyar.

Host Kalman Magyar (Öcsi) is one of North America’s leading Hungarian folk musicians and personalities. Read more at www.kalmanmagyar.com.

Raif Hyseni is one of the most well-known Albanian musicians in the world, a highly respected folk music teacher, and the accordionist, arranger and bandleader for his wife, the legendary singer Merita Halili. Interview highlights: 

- how the plight of Albanians in Kosovo, Raif's home, resembles that of the Hungarians in Transylvania; 

- the cultural richness of Yugoslavia and Raif’s initial exposures to Hungarian folk music; 

- an overview of the diverse Albanian folkloric regions and how best to learn folk music; 

- the progression of folk music into more contemporary styles in the Balkans; 

- the experience of living in New Jersey and sharing Albanian culture in America; and 

- unveiling Raif’s groundbreaking new CD. 

Released on December 6, 2020. 

Tanchaz Talk is the world’s only English-language program focusing primarily on Hungarian folk music. 

“Tanchaz Talk Interviews” features long-form interviews with a wide range of guests appearing on the program. More (non-interview) episodes of Tanchaz Talk, featuring a mix of music and stories, are available on www.tanchaz.com and on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/user/kalmanmagyar. 

Host Kalman Magyar (Öcsi) is one of North America’s leading Hungarian folk musicians and personalities. Read more at www.kalmanmagyar.com.

Peter Arendas is a Doctor of Liberal Arts, a professor in the Folk Strings Program at Budapest’s Liszt Academy of Music, one of Hungary’s most in-demand kontra (viola) players, and has been a bedrock for Tanchaz-related programming for decades (including as musical director of the annual Táncháztalálkozó).  Interview highlights: 

- loving what you do, and doing what you love; 

- managing fatherhood and family in the midst of chaos; 

- how to best learn Tanchaz music (hint: it could be more about the musicians than the music); 

- the birth and legacy of the Tükrös ensemble; 

- how the future of Hungarian folk music might resemble its past; and 

- how to make the perfect fröccs (spritzer). 

Released on November 13, 2020. 

Tanchaz Talk is the world’s only English-language program focusing primarily on Hungarian folk music. “Tanchaz Talk Interviews” features long-form interviews with a wide range of guests appearing on the program. 

More (non-interview) episodes of Tanchaz Talk, featuring a mix of music and stories, are available on www.tanchaz.com and on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/user/kalmanmagyar. 

Host Kalman Magyar (Öcsi) is one of North America’s leading Hungarian folk musicians and personalities. Read more at www.kalmanmagyar.com.

Mateusz Etynkowski lives in Zakopane (Poland), grew up in Toronto (Canada), and has been at the forefront of the Carpathian folk music and dance revival scene for decades. Interview highlights:

- delving into the music and dance of Carpathian Mountain regions, from Poland’s Podhale to Transylvania’s Gyimes;

- the good and bad of the “Polish Tanchaz” movement;

- the miracle of music and child development;

- adopting folklore as a lifestyle; and

- the lasting impact of influential mentors.

Released on October 18, 2020.

Tanchaz Talk is the world’s only English-language program focusing primarily on Hungarian folk music.

“Tanchaz Talk Interviews” features long-form interviews with a wide range of guests appearing on the program.

More (non-interview) episodes of Tanchaz Talk, featuring a mix of music and stories, are available on www.tanchaz.com and on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/user/kalmanmagyar.

Host Kalman Magyar (Öcsi) is one of North America’s leading Hungarian folk musicians and personalities. Read more at www.kalmanmagyar.com.

Eva & Andras Kovesdy of Melbourne, Australia have been central leaders of the Australian-Hungarian community for decades.  

In this interview, we go deep into the Land Down Under and uncover the vibrant Hungarian folk life on the continent.  

Interview highlights:   

- development of Hungarian performing groups in Australia; 

 - overview of the continent’s Hungarian communities, from dance and music groups to festivals and camps; 

 - jaw-dropping Transylvanian experiences;  

- and the beauty, and challenges, of living in Australia.    

Released on September 18, 2020.

Tanchaz Talk is the world’s only English-language program focusing primarily on Hungarian folk music.

“Tanchaz Talk Interviews” features long-form interviews with a wide range of guests appearing on the program.

More (non-interview) episodes of Tanchaz Talk, featuring a mix of music and stories, are available on www.tanchaz.com and on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/user/kalmanmagyar.

Host Kalman Magyar (Öcsi) is one of North America’s leading Hungarian folk musicians and personalities. Read more at www.kalmanmagyar.com.

Mark Marczyk is the violin-playing frontman of the world-famous Lemon Bucket Orkestra, one of the key creative figures in Toronto's performing arts scene, and a pivotal builder and connector of folk music communities.  

Interview highlights:  

 - the journey from captaining the Canadian junior rugby team to ringleading a Juno-nominated band;  

- his life-altering Tanchaz experience and key lessons learned at the Csipke camp;   

- performing in Hungary and Transylvania; and  

- what the future might, or might not, hold.

Note there are some audio issues during the introduction but they are resolved once the interview gets going.

Released on September 4, 2020.

Tanchaz Talk is the world’s only English-language program focusing primarily on Hungarian folk music.

“Tanchaz Talk Interviews” features long-form interviews with a wide range of guests appearing on the program.

More (non-interview) episodes of Tanchaz Talk, featuring a mix of music and stories, are available on www.tanchaz.com and on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/user/kalmanmagyar.

Host Kalman Magyar (Öcsi) is one of North America’s leading Hungarian folk musicians and personalities. Read more at www.kalmanmagyar.com.

Levente Fazakas is widely regarded as Transylvania’s top Tanchaz violinist, and is the musical director of the Háromszék Dance Ensemble and popular Heveder band. 

Interview highlights:

- secrets to success in winning a prímás competition;

- the unique camaraderie between Transylvanian musicians;

- how to unleash the full potential of students;

- Prince Charles’ favorite Transylvanian men’s dance; and

- balancing family life as a full-time musician.

Released on August 31, 2020.

Tanchaz Talk is the world’s only English-language program focusing primarily on Hungarian folk music.

“Tanchaz Talk Interviews” features long-form interviews with a wide range of guests appearing on the program.

More (non-interview) episodes of Tanchaz Talk, featuring a mix of music and stories, are available on www.tanchaz.com and on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/user/kalmanmagyar.

Host Kalman Magyar (Öcsi) is one of North America’s leading Hungarian folk musicians and personalities. Read more at www.kalmanmagyar.com.

Walt Mahovlich is a key figure in North America for the preservation and performance of music from the Carpathian Basin and South Slavic nations.    

Interview highlights:  

 - growing up in the Hungarian city of Cleveland; 

 - the functional role of “nota”;  

- the Harmonia Band and how to craft an evocative and emotional experience for American audiences; and  

- how being a full-time musician impacted Walt's relationship with music.    

Released on August 24, 2020.  

Tanchaz Talk is the world’s only English-language program focusing primarily on Hungarian folk music.

“Tanchaz Talk Interviews” features long-form interviews with a wide range of guests appearing on the program.

More (non-interview) episodes of Tanchaz Talk, featuring a mix of music and stories, are available on www.tanchaz.com and on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/user/kalmanmagyar.

Host Kalman Magyar (Öcsi) is one of North America’s leading Hungarian folk musicians and personalities. Read more at www.kalmanmagyar.com.

Colleen Bertsch has a Ph.D. in Ethnomusicology with a focus on Transylvanian music, and is the lead violinist of Szaszka.  Interview highlights:     

- transitioning from the traditional classical to the village folk world; 

- what it takes to be an ethnomusicologist;

- travel adventures in Transylvania on a Fulbright scholarship; and 

- the time a group of musicians from Kalotaszeg came to her rescue.  

Released on August 21, 2020. 

Tanchaz Talk is the world’s only English-language program focusing primarily on Hungarian folk music.

“Tanchaz Talk Interviews” features long-form interviews with a wide range of guests appearing on the program.

More (non-interview) episodes of Tanchaz Talk, featuring a mix of music and stories, are available on www.tanchaz.com and on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/user/kalmanmagyar.

Host Kalman Magyar (Öcsi) is one of North America’s leading Hungarian folk musicians and personalities. Read more at www.kalmanmagyar.com.

Lajos “Lecsó” Miklos has been one of the driving forces in Vancouver’s Hungarian folk dance and music community since the 1980’s. Interview highlights: 

- the typical upbringing of a folk dancer in the diaspora; 

- the pattern of community rifts developing and resolving; 

- the early struggles of creating a Tanchaz culture in Western Canada; 

- and the game-changing impact of Transylvanian research trips. 

Released on August 18, 2020.

Tanchaz Talk is the world’s only English-language program focusing primarily on Hungarian folk music.

“Tanchaz Talk Interviews” features long-form interviews with a wide range of guests appearing on the program.

More (non-interview) episodes of Tanchaz Talk, featuring a mix of music and stories, are available on www.tanchaz.com and on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/user/kalmanmagyar.

Host Kalman Magyar (Öcsi) is one of North America’s leading Hungarian folk musicians and personalities. Read more at www.kalmanmagyar.com.