64

Concert Acknowledgements

To our teachers: Debbie Faraguna, Tom Salopek, Sandy

Kauzlaric and Marija Jamsek for their dedication, patience

and cooperation with the children, and the parents!

To the Costume Committee – Chairperson, Majda

Kucmanic; members Kay Makarich, Agnes Vucic and

Maria Woods.

To Ingrid Panic for laying-out our program book and to

Maria Woods, for coordinating ads & sponsors.

To Stanka Kordic Genutis for the program cover.

To all the parents, for your help, support and hard work

today and throughout the year.

Acknowledgements

The success of our group

depends on the support and

help of many individuals and

organizations.

Thanks to:

All of our patrons and

business sponsors

Mr. Zeljko Skalicki, for your generous donations

St. Paul Youth Development Club, for your partnership

and your generous contributions

Board of the American Croatian Lodge, for providing a

home for our group

Wally and Melita Ragus, for working with us whenever

we have a need

To our media partners; Zdravko Belancic, Dale Bucar,

Berislav Cuvalo, Tony Petkovsek, CFU Zajednicar, for

helping us promote our group and events

To our church leaders; Fr. Mirko Hladni and Fr. Zvonko

Blasko from St. Paul’s Croatian Catholic Church, and

Rev. Robert Kelly from St. Nicholas Church, for your

support and encouragement.

1

2012 President’s Address

Welcome to the American Zagreb Junior Tamburit-zan’s 55th annual concert! We are pleased that you have joined us for an exciting afternoon filled with music, songs and dances from Croatia. Our students have worked hard for many months to perfect the show you will see today. Students, this is your time to shine and remember that all that hard work does pay off. I want to personally thank each and every one of you for your dedication and hard work year after year. You make us all proud of our Croatian heritage! It is the mission of AZJT to preserve and promote Croatia’s rich and beautiful folklore and cultural tradition; to foster in our children an appreciation for their Croatian heritage and culture; build a sense of friendship and community among our children, our teachers, and our parents, and you-our families, friends, and supporters. We could not achieve this without our talented teachers who are committed to sharing their knowledge and experience. Our music director, Thomas Salopek, (AZJT grad), choreographer, Debbie Jennings Faraguna, (AZJT grad), dance assistant, Sandy Kauzlaric, (AZJT grad) and our vocal instructor and dance assistant, Marija Jamsek meet every Wednesday and work very hard to pass on their talents to our children. Today, we are grateful to have as our guests the American Zagreb Junior Tamburitzan’s alumni. We thank them for taking time to practice for our program today. We, also, would not be able to fulfill our mission without our dedicated and hard-working parents. We have a great group of parents who make many extraordinary efforts and sacrifices - from simply getting their children to practices, to membership on the Board and committees, to making the beautiful costumes in an effort to pass the Croatian heritage onto their children.

Thank you to everyone for a very successful year and hopefully many more to come!!

Sincerely, Christine Kucmanic-Dolinar

2

Zagreb Juniors

2012 Members

Our graduating seniors:

Emily Halasah

Gabriela Leskur

Michelle Little

Members:

Oliver & Karla Anic

Lisa Lowe

Lilijana & Nicholas Branch

Sloan Brown

Nataly & Nicole Colic

Ivana & Andreja Didovic

Marina Dolinar

Cole, Claire & Clay Fallon

Juliana Faraguna

Luke Genutis

Emily & Elizabeth Halasah

Andrea Ivanko

Izabela & Katarina Jamsek

Brano Colo

Andrea, Jelena & Bernard Klinc

Ariana & Anthony Kosta

Julia & Gina Kucmanic

Gabriela Leskur

Michelle & Jonathan Little

Hannah Luketic

Gabriella Moissis

Isabella Novosel

Ana & Anselma Panic

Valentina Panic

Miranda & Mitchell Poulton

Jeffery (J.T.), Jordan & Chaely Raynor

Julian Salopek

Quinn & Sofia Thornhill

Nathan Timm

Marissa, Joey, Dominic, & Sophia Woods

63

Congratulations American Zagreb Junior

Tambutitzans

On your 55th Annual Concert

62

HAVE YOU THOUGHT "EVEN ONCE" OF JOINING A

TAMBURITZAN GROUP???? DO YOU LIKE TO

TRAVEL AND MEET NEW FRIENDS???? IF YOU LOVE

CROATIAN MUSIC, ENJOY TO DANCE OR WOULD

ENJOY SEEING YOUR CHILD, GRANDCHILD, NIECE

OR NEPHEW UP ON STAGE COME VISIT THE AMERI-

CAN ZAGREB JR TAMBURITZAN'S PRACTICE ANY

WEDNESDAY DURING THE MONTH OF SEPTEMBER.

MEET THE TEACHERS, WATCH THE PRACTICES AND

SIT AND TALK TO THE PARENTS. JESTE LI IKAD

POZELJELI BITI U TAMBURASKOJ GRUPI??? VOLITE

LI PUTOVATI I UPOZNAVATI NOVE PRIJATELJE???

AKO VOLITE HRVATSKU MUZIKU I PLES ILI AKO

BISTE UZIVALI U NASTUPU VASEG DJETETA,

UNUCETA, NECAKINJE ILI NECAKA, POSJETITE

AMERICAN ZAGREB JR TAMBURITZAN’S U NOVIM

PROSTORIJAMA HRVATSKOG NACIONALNOG DOMA

U EASTLAKE U SEPTEMBRU SVAKE SRIJEDE 6-9 PM ,

GDJE CETE IMATI PRILIKU UPOZNATI UCITELJE,

PROMATRATI VJEZBE I POPRICATI S RODITELJIMA.

3

4

Emily Halasah

Emily Halasah has

been in AZJT for 9

years. Through the

years, she has made

life long friends and

enjoyed traveling the

United States with the

group. When she was

younger Emily dis-

liked going to tam-

burica very much,

but she is very glad and thankful that her

momma made her stay in the group. This past

November Emily participated in the Adult

Tambura group Zelena Polja. At school, Emily

has participated in many activities including

soccer, basket ball, track & student council.

She loves tamburica and she thanks Debbie &

Tom for all the enrichment & experience they

have provided her with. Emily also wants to

thank & wish luck to her fellow seniors Mi-

chelle Little & Gabriela leskur and her former

tambura mates: Deana Kucmanic, Nicolette

Horvat & Ariana Kosta. Also: thank you Baka,

Deda, Elizabeth & Andrew.

61

CONGRATULATIONS

ON YOUR

55th ANNIVERSARY

60

BEST

SAUSAGE

AWARD

5

Gabriela Leskur

Gabriela Leskur has been

a member of the Ameri-

can Zagreb Junior Tam-

buritzans for the past 10

years. While in the

group, Gabriela has en-

joyed maintaining her

Croatian culture through

song, dance, and even

(occasionally) practicing

her brač.

Gabriela will

graduate from Beaumont

School in June. She was

an Honors Student, in-

volved in Drama and Theatre, Music, Student Council, Mock Trial and

National Honor Society. Gabriela will attend the University of Notre

Dame in the fall where she will study Psychology and Philosophy.

Gabriela will always hold dear her wonderful years at AZJT.

She feels so blessed to have been given so many opportunities to travel

across the country and the world. She would like to thank all her fellow

Tamburitzans for making her Wednesday nights such a blast. She espe-

cially would like to thank her family in AZJT—Kuma, Bela, Katarina,

Ivana, Andreja, and Angie—for their constant support. She would like

to thank her mom, Maria, for all her love and kindness over the years—

even when Gabriela didn’t deserve it. She would also like to thank her

Baka and Dida for driving her to Tamburitza and for encouraging her to

continue on. She is so grateful for these wonderful people and all others

that she was unable to mention—especially all of her extended family

for coming to concert after concert!

The amazing teachers also should be given recognition. She

would like to thank Mr. Salopek, Debbie, Kuma Marija, and Sandy for

all their hard work and dedication. Gabriela really appreciates all their

sacrifice and diligence over the years.

Gabriela also wishes well for Michelle and Emily, that they

may succeed in life with whatever they choose to do. She feels lucky to

be graduating with such great girls.

She is excited to come back and visit often. Gabriela looks

forward to many more amazing years to come for the talented members

of American Zagreb Junior Tamburitzans. She wishes you the best!

6

.Michelle Little

Michelle actually had her debut in

American Zagreb Jr. Tamburitzans

when she was 4. She was lifted up

and walked across the bridge in a

dance. She has been a member for

the next 12 years.

The Tamburitzans has given

Michelle the opportunity to travel

the world, meet and make friends

from all over the US and Canada,

and of course dance and sing into

the wee hours of the night. It also

gave her the opportunity to meet

up with her family that are

scattered across Europe, US and

Canada. There is no other

experience like it. She loves the tambura but most of all she loves the

songs and dances from Croatia. She will sing for hours and even has

taught her American friends to sing along.

Michelle will be graduating with honors from South High School this

June. She has been a member of the key club for the last several years.

She will be attending Kent State University where she will be studying

Special Education. Michelle would like to work with autistic children.

She has always loved spending time with children – especially her little

cousin Sloan who now will also continue on the heritage.

Michelle would like to thank her entire family for all the love and

support. Her Baba and Didi continue to teach her about her heritage

and many of these traditions have continued in her life. She looks

forward to another trip to Croatia in 2013. Michelle would like to

thank all of her teachers over the years, Mr. Thomas Salopek for all the

years of instrument training and Deborah Jennings-Faraguna for her

patience and talent in teaching the dances. Sandy Kauzlaric for the

days when Michelle was a junior dancer and Maria Jamsek who taught

the proper pronunciation of all the Croatian words. All of you have a

special place in her heart. The days of practicing weekly, performing

in hot or rainy weather was all worth it. She would also like to thank

her special friends for always being there for her. Nicolette, Deanna,

Emily, and Ariana will be Tamburitzan friends forever. Will always

remember our road trips! Also she would like to thank Sarah and

Becky who every year would come and see the show.

59

Congratulations

to all the members of

American Zagreb Junior Tamburitzans!

Best Wishes to AZJT

CROATIAN, SLOVENIAN AND POLISH

SPEAKING OFFICE

General Dentistry

58

7

.

Congratulations Emily! You made it!

Enjoy your final concert!

You make us proud!

Love Andrew, Elizabeth and Mama

8

To our Michelle who always has a smile on

her face and can always brighten a room we

want to tell you how proud we are of you.

Continue to love your Croatian Heritage and

stay friends with your fellow Tamburasi.

Have fun at your concert + at our festival.

Michelle-a-rella!!

We love you

Mom, Dad

Angela, Timmy & Jon

57

56

Zagreb Junior Tamburica je nas

HRVATSKI PONOS !

Hvala da nam cuvate i njegujete pjesme i plesove

nase lijepe domovine.

KUD Zvuci Domovine Hrvata Korduna

Mi vam cestitamo i zelimo vam uspjesan concert.

kraljicakatarina.com

Kraljica Katarina, Cultural Association of

Croatians of Bosna & Hercegovina

extends heartfelt wishes for a successful con-

cert to American Zagreb Jr. Tamburitzans.

Thank you for your continuing efforts to

protect and sustain our precious Croatian

heritage.

* Our Best Wishes for a Great Concert *

www.croatiagifts.com

www.heartofcroatia.com

American Zagreb Junior Tamburitzans

www.croatiandance.com

Facebook:

American Zagreb JR Tamburitzans

9

.

Congratulations to my

graduating

senior

Gabriela

Leskur

It has been a great ten

years watching you grow

and enjoy your time

with your family

and friends.

Love, Mom

10

55th Anniversary of American Zagreb Junior Tamburitzans

The American Zagreb Junior Tamburitzans was

formed in 1957 and is celebrating its 55th anniversary in

2012. Through these 55 years, hundreds of children and

young people have enjoyed learning traditional Croatian

music, songs and dances.

AZJT was formed by former members of group

Slavulj - singing, drama, tamburitza and kolo performing

group founded by Joshep Gregorincic, which operated from

1937 to 1951. AZJT was one of five tamburitza groups in

the United States to organize the Croatian Fraternal Union

Junior Cultural Federation in 1966.

Through 55 years of existence and over 45 years of

involvement with the CFU Junior Cultural Federation,

AZJT have traveled widely, including numerous trips to

Croatia, as well as through United States and Canada. AZJT

has hosted the CFU Festival in Cleveland four times (1971,

1979, 1983, and 1989). Numerous AZJT alumni were se-

lected and received scholarships to perform with the

highly-acclaimed Duquesne University Tamburitzans.

AZJT students learn to play tambura (a string musical

instrument), sing traditional Croatian songs in native

language, dance kolos and wear beautiful historical

costumes from various regions of Croatia. This is the way

the children preserve their heritage and learn of their

ancestors and how they lived. Many lifetime friendships

have been formed over the years along with some couples

who found their soul mates and married. Our group has 51

students ages 5 – 19. Practices are held on Wednesdays

from 6-9 pm at Croatian Lodge Center, Eastlake Ohio. For

more information about our group please on our newly

developed website www.croatiandance.com or on facebook:

American Zagreb Jr Tamburitzans. The first 55 years of

AZJT have been successful and we look forward to continue

to build on this tradition in future!

55

Puno vas volimo

i ponosni smo

na vas!

Mama & tata

Drage Nataly & Nicole

54

Stop growing up so fast!! Good luck!

Love, Mom, Dad, Matthew, David, and Deanna

In loving memory of our Nona.

Love, all your grandchildren

11

12

The Star Spangled Banner O say, can you see,

by the dawn’s early light,

What so proudly we hailed

at the twilight’s last gleaming?

Whose broad stripes and bright stars,

through the perilous fight,

O’er the ramparts we watched,

were so gallantly streaming?

And the rocket’s red glare,

the bombs bursting in air,

Gave proof through the night

that our flag was still there.

O say does that star spangled banner yet wave

O’er the land of the free, and the home of the brave?

Lijepa Nasa Domovino

Lijepa nasa domovino

Oj junacka zemljo mila,

Stare slave djedovino,

Da bi vazda sretna bila!

Mila kano si nam slavna,

Mila si nam ti jedina,

Mila, kuda si nam ravna,

Mila kuda si planina!

Savo, Dravo, Drino teci,

Nit ti Dunav silu gubi,

Sinje more svijetu reci,

Da svoj narod Hrvat ljubi!

Dok mu njive sunce grije,

Dok mu hrace bura vije,

Dok mu mrtve grob sakrije,

Dok mu zivo srce bije!

53

Jorgovan,

tulipan to su

cvijeta dva, a ti

Nathan si treci

nas najljepsi

cvijet!

Ljubi te Mama,

Tata, Baba,

Dedo I Peter

52

Lisa, have a successful 2012 Concert

Love, granny Salopek

Best wishes to Julian for successful 2012

Love, granny Salopek

13

American Zagreb Jr. Tamburitzans

2011-2012 Board of Trustees

President Chris Dolinar

Vice-President Natalie Kosta

Secretary Julia Thornhill

Treasurer Kay Salopek

Mary Ann Little

Marija Colic-Turcinov

Kay Makarich

Andjelka Klinc

Maria Jukic

Majda Kucmanic – Chair

Agnes Vucic

Maria Woods

Musical Director Thomas Salopek

Choreographer Deborah Jennings Faraguna

Dance Instructor Sandy Eler Kauzlaric

Voice Instructor Marija Jamsek

Instructors

Costume Committee

14

We are proud to present the teaching staff

of the American Zagreb Jr. Tamburitzans.

Tom Salopek

Music Director

Over the past 43 years,

Tom has served AZJT as a

student, an assistant, music

director and parent. Tom

would like to thank his

wife Denise for her

support of his avocation.

Deborah Jennings

Faraguna

Choreographer

Debbie has been teaching

AZJT for the past seventeen

years. She was a thirteen

year member of AZJT

where she danced and

played prim. Debbie also

studied folk dancing and

ballet for several years. She

performed professionally

with The Csardas Dance Company in Cleveland, Ohio

and was a member of Ensemble KUMOVI in Pittsburgh,

Pennsylvania. Debbie is currently the choreographer for

Zelena Polja Ensemble in Cleveland. She works in sales

at Sysco Cleveland. Debbie and her family reside in

Novelty, Ohio.

51

50 15

We appreciate their dedication and patience

in our efforts to preserve our Croatian Heritage.

Sandy Eler Kauzlaric

Assistant Dance

Instructor

Sandy has been the Assistant

Dance Instructor for the

beginner group for the past thir-

teen years. She was a member

of the group herself for twelve

years prior to being an instruc-

tion. Sandy works as a dental

hygienist in Euclid for Dr. David

Mills.

Marija Jamsek

Vocal Instructor

Marija was born in Croatia and

was a member of KUD "Ljudevit

Gaj" Mace where she performed

Croatian folk songs and dances.

This is her eight year as Vocal

Instructor with the AZJT. Marija

is happy to share her knowledge

of the Croatian language and

songs with the children. Her chil-

dren Izabela and Katarina share

her love of Croatian culture and are members of the

AZJT.

16

Draga Valentina

Puno uspjeha na tvom drugom Koncertu i lijepo se zabavi na

Festivalu!

Puno te volimo i ponosni smo

na tebe! Mama, tata

i Valentino

Drage Ana & Anselma

Lijepo se provedite na koncertu I festivalu!

Vole vas mama & tata

49

CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR

55th ANNUAL CONCERT to

AMERICAN ZAGREB JR.

TAMBURITZANS

ST. PAUL’S YOUTH

DEVELOPMENT

ASSOCIATION

48

Congratulations to all our "Tammies"

on another great concert!

Best Wishes to - Emily, Gabriela, and Michelle!

The Woods Family

17

From The Horvat's

Congratulations Michelle and Emily!

It's hard to believe the time has come for your last year.

We wish you good luck for your last concert and continued

success in your future.

Congratulations American Zagreb

Junior Tamburitzans!

Special wishes for

Jessica Bagwel ‘02

and Lisa Ann Lowe

on her first concert!

Love,

Mom + Dad

18 47

46

T-shirts for sale!

Croatian and English

versions

www.croatiandance.com

19

Draga Andrea, ponosni smo na tebe i puno

te volimo tata, mama, baka i Ema

ANDREA, JELENA I BERNARDE DOK TAMBURE SVIRATE U SRCE NAS DIRATE

VASI MAMA I TATA

20

.

Congratulations

Gabriela Leskur

We love you and are very proud of you. Good luck in college and everything you

do.

Love, Mom, Baka, Dida and all your family!

45

Vole vas mama, tata, dida Wally, baba,

Drage Ivana and Andreja, čestitamo vam na

uspješnom koncertu!

44

Best Wishes and Good Luck on the

performance!

From your fellow tamburaši,

Cleveland Junior Tamburitzans:

Croatian Pride .

21

OBILJE BOZJEG BLAGOSLOVA

POVODOM VASEG

POSTOJANJA I RADA

ZELI VAM

HRVATSKA CRKVA

SV. PAVLA

CLEVELAND, OHIO

ST. PAUL CROATIAN CATHOLIC CHURCH

1369 EAST 40TH STREET

CLEVELAND, OHIO 44103

22

GO ZAGREB!!

CONGRATULATIONS!

Mike and Kay Makarich

Armando, Mary (1982 alumnus),

Jenna and Sara Calderon

Barbara Makarich (1983 alumnus)

Michael R. Makarich (1991 alumnus)

43

42

Website:

American Zagreb Junior Tamburitzans

www.croatiandance.com

Facebook:

American Zagreb JR Tamburitzans

23

24

American Zagreb Junior

Tamburitzans,

Congratulations on your

55th Annual Concert.

May your dedication and love

for the Croatian culture and heritage

live for many, many more years.

Sincere thanks to all of you!

The Board of the

American Croatian Lodge, Inc.

41

We Salute you for the years that were, the years that are now, and the years to come, For perpetuating our Croatian heritage & culture for the past 55 years Ivan Begg Anton Belan Sasa Blazekovic Don Bowman Janet Craig Joe Grman Michelle Janicki Frank M. Jerbich Joan Kutz Bernard & Martha Luketich Goldie Malone Rudi Pesut Jr Beth Pazo Edward Pazo Emil Riccio Carol Sees Ted Sebetich - St. George Jr. Tams. John & Bernadette Sikaras Andrea Vucinic Don & Julie Weakley THE CROATIAN FRATERNAL UNION JUNIOR CULTURAL FEDERATION OFFICERS AND FRIENDS

40

In Memory of

James E. Malone

Past President of the

American Zagreb

Junior Tamburitzans

Gone but not forgotten

Love,

Goldie and Jamie

Dragi nasi

Oliver i Karla

Ponosni smo na vas

i puno vas volimo

mama i tata

25

26

Congratulations and Best Wishes for a

Successful Concert!!

ZUMBERAK LODGE #859

CROATIAN FRATERNAL UNION

We salute your graduating seniors:

Emily Halasah

Gabriela Leskur

Michelle Little

And your Teachers

Thomas Salopek—Musical Director

Deborah Jennings Faraguna—Choreographer

Sandy Kauzlaric—Asst. Dance Instructor

Marija Jamsek—Vocal Instructor

Members of Zumberak Lodge #859

“Where Fraternity Reigns”

39

Congratulations Sofia and Quinn

Love, Mom, Dad and Baka

38 27

Miranda's sixth concert and

Mitchell's third concert:

We are so proud of you both!

Have a wonderful concert!

Love mom and dad and the rest of the family!!

28

Dear Izabela and Katarina

we are very proud of you every day

because of who you are, but we are extra

happy to see you perform and enjoy our

beautiful Croatian songs and dances.

You light up the stage!

Good luck and have fun!

Love,

Mama, Tata, Baka and Marko

37

36

Emily and Elizabeth,

Congratulations on another successful

performance!

Voli Vas,

Mama, Andrew, Baka, Djeda & Uncle

29

Croatian National Women's Club

"Kardinal Stepinac"

wishes you a successful concert!

Hrvatsko Nacionalno Žensko Društvo

"Kardinal Stepinac"

vam zeli uspjesan koncert!

30 35

Intermission

Pjevamo Kolo

Baranjsko Kolo

Songs and Dances from Baranja –

Alumni Ensemble

Presentation of Graduating Seniors and

Instructors

Listaj Lipo Stara featuring Michelle

Little

Svetit Mesec – Senior Instrumental

featuring Julian Salopek

Jankić Je Dojahal – Entire Ensemble

Songs and Dances from Prigorje – Entire

Ensemble

Moja Domovina – Entire Ensemble and

Alumni

34

The American Zagreb Jr. Tamburitzans

2012 Concert

Welcome and Opening Comments

The Star Spangled Banner – Entire

Ensemble featuring Miranda Poulton

Lijepa Naša Domovino– Entire Ensemble

featuring Izabela Jamsek

Vezak Vezla – Entire Ensemble

Nebesko Kolo & Kolo Kalendara –

Beginner Instrumental

Medley of Slavonian Songs – Advanced

Beginners Instrumental

Turopolje Polka – Intermediate Music

Ensemble

Songs and Dances from Posavina - Junior

Dance Ensemble

Čiji Su Ono Svatovi – Senior Ensemble

featuring Julia Kucmanic

Songs and Dances from Lika – Senior

Dance Ensemble

U Boj, U Boj featuring Gabriela Leskur

31

Well here we are another concert year and another

Little graduating. We wish you love, health and

happiness always Michelle from your entire family.

And Jon way to go son hope you have a great

concert and hope you have a lot of fun in the next

couple of years with Zagreb.

We could not be prouder of our children!!!

Love from all of us Mom, Dad,

Angela (’08) Timmy (’09),

Baba, Didi,

Uncle Louie, Aunt Diana, Aryn & Emily.

Way to go Alumni!!!

32

Congratulations and Best Wishes on your

55 th Annual Concert

We salute you for perpetuating and

preserving our Croatian culture.

Zumbercani Adult Tamburitzans

Cleveland, Ohio

Congratulations from Zagreb Quality Meats

Phone orders accepted 216-361-4515 Jedinko Lalic Diana Lalic

6706 St. Clair Ave.

33

Love,

Mom and Dad

Congratulations to you

my daughter,

on your fifth year in AZJT,

Love always,

Daddy Boy Mark

Ariana and Anthony,

Hope you have a great concert!! Have fun!!

Brano,

Sretan ti prvi concert!

Ponosni smo na tebe I

puno te volimo!

Mama & Vlado