Musicians Winter Weekend 2026

Will Cope 💖 Band Leader

Will Cope has the honor this year of putting together our house band, Orkestar Unbound, for the sixth year in a row! Will is a multi-instrumentalist who is drawn to play music w/o borders, that will get people on their feet, dancing!

Orkestar Unbound will once again be hanging out together at the Cope-a-cabana, eating, drinking, talking and best of all, getting to play music for your dancing pleasure, live!

Please see Cope-A-Cabana and Kolo Festival for more info about what he’s up to!
Want an Orkestar Unbound t-shirt? Buy t-shirts and swag here.
Visit Will’s website for Balkan Noyz Boyz CDs, Orkestar Unbound swag, and lots of other free stuff!

Ralph Iverson 💖 Violin, gadulka, tambura, and kaval


Ralph Iverson started playing for international folk dancing in 1985. He has been a member of many folk dance groups including Mandala Folk Dance Ensemble (orchestra director), Cambridge Folk Orchestra, Pinewoods Band, Pajdashi, Rakija, Zdravets, and Zornitsa. Ralph also plays violin and viola with several Boston-area community orchestras.

Shireen Nabatian 💖


Shireen Nabatian is a vocalist, violinist, and PhD candidate in cross-cultural musicology at University of California, Santa Cruz. Her research is about traditional music education at summer music camps in California, Türkiye, and Crete. In Santa Cruz, she leads the Balkan folk dance band EZGIJA, and she is co-directing the new UCSC Balkan Student Ensemble. She has performed around the West Coast of Canada and the United States, Albania, and Türkiye.

Asaf Ophir 💖 Multi-talented Musician

Asaf Ophir began his career as a woodwind player in musical theater, performing on some of the most distinguished stages in Israel. Currently based in the San Francisco Bay Area, Ophir is often invited to collaborate with artists from a wide variety of cultures, including Jewish, Arabic, European, Persian, Kurdish, and others. Equally at home with classical, jazz, and world music, Ophir has shared the stage with Miri Mesika, Avi Kushnir, Galit Giat, David De’or, Ustad Mahwash, Rana Farhan, and Barbara Streisand.

Check out Asaf’s website.

Emily Saletan 💖


Emily Saletan was raised by folk dancing parents in the Boston area and the Pacific Northwest and is thrilled to be joining the dance community in California. They are now an undergraduate at Stanford University, where they also teach an introductory folk dance course and partner with Richard to teach social dance. Favorite credits in the Bay Area include performing with contemporary circus company Circa and recording vocals for the premiere of “with” at ODC Dance. This year you will also find her singing in Orkestar Unbound. Infinite thanks to their dad, Tony Saletan, for his compassionate legacy of arts education.

Ivan Velev 💖


Ivan Velev is a Bulgarian-born percussionist based in the San Francisco Bay Area, renowned for his expertise in Balkan music. His spirited tapan playing and charismatic presence have made him a prominent figure in the local Balkan music scene.

Ivan is a member of Fanfare Zambaleta, a Balkan brass band that originated in 2012 as an offshoot of the SF Music and Dance Troupe. The ensemble is known for its lively performances that blend traditional Balkan rhythms with contemporary influences.

In addition to his musical talents, Ivan is also a charismatic Balkan folk dance leader, bringing a deep love and connection to Eastern European music and dance traditions.

Ivan’s contributions to the Balkan music community in San Francisco were highlighted in the documentary “Balkancisco,” which explores the influence of Balkan music in the Bay Area.

In January 2025, Ivan is scheduled to perform with Bill Cope’s band at the Cope-a-Cabana venue in San Jose, California. The event is part of a series of concerts featuring various artists.

Ivan’s joyous and playful spirit, combined with his deep connection to Eastern European music, continues to inspire audiences and preserve the rich traditions of Balkan music and dance in the San Francisco Bay Area.