Our Story
Humble Beginnings
It all began when Dr. A. Lester Pierce met tamburitza musicians Matt L. Gouze, Frank Gouze, and Anthony Antoncic in the early 1930s. His fascination with the folk instrument sparked an idea that has endured as one of the world's finest, longest-running live stage shows of its kind. Dr. Pierce negotiated work scholarships for these three young musicians and formed St. Thomas Tamburitza Trio. In 1937, they headed east with their musical variety show, stopping in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Impressed with the cultural diversity of the city, the group made a permanent home for the ensemble through a work scholarship agreement with Duquesne University. This newly formed group would eventually be known as the Duquesne University Tamburitzans, coined by a University reporter in the late 1940s.
Building a Tradition
Over the past eight decades, The Tamburitzans ensemble has expanded its repertoire to include a wide variety of folk dance and music representing international cultures. Eighty-plus years, several international tours, hundreds of performers, and hundreds of thousands of audience members later, The Tamburitzans' show remains an annual tradition for some and a delightful new discovery for others. Year after year, generation after generation, the Tamburitzans dazzle audiences across the country with elaborate costumes and incredibly versatile musicians, singers, and dancers. These talented young performers are full-time students who have chosen to carry on the Tamburitzans’ legacy by bringing international cultures to the modern stage.
The Winds of Change
In 2014, Duquesne University announced that the Tamburitzans would become an independent, nonprofit organization. The Tamburitzans now audition and accept students from other Pittsburgh-based universities, as well as Duquesne. This move was envisioned to increase the ensemble's applicant pool, allow for a more robust performance schedule, and position the group to pursue charitable support from individuals, foundations, corporations, and government agencies. Please help us keep this great tradition alive! Your donation directly supports the longevity of this unique performance ensemble.
Our Mission
The Tamburitzans exist to preserve and celebrate international cultural heritages through artistic performance while awarding talented performers scholarships to Pittsburgh-based universities for their contributions and dedication to the arts.
