Information: Paul Mulders, teacher of Serbian, Macedonian, and Roma dance.

Paul Mulders, from the Netherlands, is a well-known dance instructor thoughout Europe. He specializes in Yugoslav and Macedonian dances, particularly the Roma village dances of Prilep and Bitola.

Paul has studied dance in the Balkans since the mid-1970s, including significant field research. For almost 20 years he danced and studied with the famous gajda player and dance instructor Pece Atanasovski whom he assisted most summers until 1990. During that time, Paul traveled in and around Macedonia, learning much about the country's culture and language.

Paul's passion for folk dancing may be summed up in his own words, "A dance is an expression of the soul of that nation and can evoke special feelings when danced in a group. The message of the dance is: when you learn more about the culture of another nation, you will understand more about the other, but also about your own culture."

Of Paul, Marianne Taylor, a master folk dance teacher, said, "The first impression, not on the dance floor, is of a happy, crazy guy: lots of fun. When you see him teach, the pleasure is deeper; he loves the Macedonian material, understands the music, [and] teaches so well that everyone gets it! I found him surprising and delightful."

Paul has taught at numerous folk dance venues around the United States, including the Stockton Folk Dance Camp.

Inexplicably, Paul was turned back to the Netherlands by U.S. Immigration at the San Francisco airport when he was on his way to teach at the Stockton Folk Dance Camp in 2011.

Paul has produced several CDs of Macedonian folk songs and dances. Among them are

• Dances from Macedonia Vol. 1-5
• Gypsy Dances from Macedonia
• Macedonian Songs Vol. 1
• Romski Ora od Makedonija Vol. 1-2

Dances Paul has taught (including Macedonian songs) include Adana, Ajde Jano Kolo da Igramo, Ajde Legnala e Ljiljana, Ajde Oro da Faneme, Ajde Pominuvam, Ajde Sto ti Tekna, Ampe Čoček, Asin Čoček, Balasičko Oro, Ben Seni Severam, Beranče - Mešovito, Berovka, Berovska Gajda, Bitola Moj Roden Kraj, Bog da Bie, Bufčansko Oro, Burkan Čoček, Ceniv se u Popa, Čoček, Čoček Sanela, Čoček za Merak, Čula Baba Razbrala, Čungur mi Čuka, Dej Gidi Mome, Devetorka, Devojče Devojče, Digni si Mare More, BobriČ Čoček, Dojdi Dojdi Maloj Mome, Dračevka, Draganov Čoček, Džumbuška Devetorka, Ela mi Velice, Egejsko Oro, Esmin Čoček, Ezero Rajsko Ubavo, Fato Fatima, Gjorgi na Donka Govori, Gjurgjovo Leto Proleto, Gnilanka, Gorno Džumajskok, Gugutkino Oro, Ilinko Mome Ubavo, Indijski Čoček, Injevka, Ištibanjsko Oro, Ivanica, Jagnov Čoček, Kalajdžisko, Kasapsko Egejsko Oro, Kikin Čoček, Oj Devojko Dušo Moja, Osogovsko na Tri Pâti, Postupano, Teško Kavadarsko Oro, Trite Stûpki, Uskovo Oro, Zaljubil Dimo, and Žensko Pušteno Oro.