The Houston Balalaika Society was organized in the spring of 1976 by Charley Rappaport. In the fall of 1976 Steve Wolownik moved to Houston and in December of that year, both he and Charley reorganized the orchestra. Steve Wolownik conducted the Orchestra's first performance at the Bellaire Arts Festival in the spring of 1977. Later that year Charley Rappaport and Steve Wolownik moved to Atlanta and the direction of  the orchestra was passed on to Paul Phillips, who had  been one of its founding members. Subsequent conductors of the orchestra have been Michael Skupin, Richard Pickar, Lech Borowicz, Pamela Bingham, John Helton and Sergey Vashchenko, to whom we express our appreciation for their contributions.

The Balalaika and Domra Association of America (BDAA) was formed in 1978 by three musicians Lyn Carpenter, Charley Rapport and Steve Wolownik, who were interested in the study and performance of Russian and Eastern European music on the traditional folk instruments of Russia -- the balalaika, domra, bayan (Russian accordion) and related folk wind and folk percussion instruments. In its nearly 30 years of existence the Association has grown to an international membership of over 400, with connections to many orchestras and ensembles worldwide. The common bond is music, and a desire to learn more about it in the company of others with similar interests.

Paul Phillips, HBS Artistic Director & Charter Member.
1938--2010

John Helton, Conductor

Sergey Vashchenko, Conductor

HBS Orchestra at Woodville Texas

Rehearsing: Joanne, John & Rosita

Joanne Dodd, Assistant Creative Director

Joan Riley, HBS
Vice President

Rosita Kirkman, HBS President

Click Disk for Music Clips

Biography of the Musical Life of Paul Phillips for Nomination into the BDAA Hall of Fame
Click to view Paul Phillips Bio- PDF