Cherven Traktor was formed in 2009 to further the preservation of authentic Bulgarian folk music. It is the artistic merging of two couples, Nikolay Kolev (gadulka) and Donka Kolev (vocals) , Belle Birchfield (tambura) and Michael Ginsburg (tupan). Whether performing at the Brooklyn Folk Festival, a college campus or for a traditional dance, Cherven Traktor keeps alive the sounds of Bulgaria and Macedonia under the banner, “Horoto e vechno,” “The dance is forever!”

Click here for samples of their traditional folk music: Cherven Traktor

Cherven Traktor musicians are Nikolay Kolev (Gadulka), Donka Koleva (vocals), Belle Birchfield (Tambura), and Michael Ginsburg (Tapan & vocals).
Nikolay Kolev and Donka Koleva are both recognized as world class masters of their art. They were trained at the well known folk music school in Shiroka Luka in Bulgaria and have toured worldwide. They have made many tours of the US with the group Kabile as well as with Bulgarika and their own family orchestra. They also teach regularly in the U.S. and at their Rose Valley Workshop & Party in Bulgaria.

Belle Birchfield, Tambura (long-necked lute)
Belle has studied tambura with Nikolay Kolev, Todor Kortelev, Nikolay Kodzhabashev, and Stoyan Kostov. She plays also plays tambura in Bitova Grupa and baritone horn with Zlatne Uste Balkan Brass Band.

Michael Ginsburg Tapan (two-sided bass drum) and vocals
Michael is the leader of Zlatne Uste Balkan Brass Band. He is also a well known Balkan dance teacher and has given workshops around the US and Canada, and in Germany, Austria, Macedonia, Japan, Israel and Brazil.

For ticket information, click here

November 7, 2026  –  7:00 PM

Mariposa Museum – 26 Main Street in Peterborough, NH
info@mariposamuseum.org
603-924-4555