BILL VANAVER (Co-Founder, Co-Artistic Director of The Vanaver Caravan Dance & Music Company, composer/arranger, performer) is known to audiences for his outstanding instrumental work, and sense of humor.  Bill Vanaver, has been composing, arranging, performing and teaching for over 60 years.  Bill studied with master ethnic musicians throughout the world. He possesses a repertoire of more than 500 songs.   

In 1973, Vanaver became the first American to be awarded a grant to study a folk instrument abroad (the bowed “lyra” in Crete, Greece).    With his vast knowledge of traditional song and musical styles, he has enlivened audiences for over 60 years at such venues as the Newport and the Philadelphia Folk Festivals. 

He is well known for his stellar instrumental work on five-string banjo as well a myriad of other folk instruments. Bill has recorded on the Vanguard, Elektra, Nonesuch, Folkways, Philo, EMI, and MMC labels.   

In the years 1975 -1980, he and his wife, choreographer/singer Livia, embarked on three tours for the US State Department as Cultural Ambassadors of Good Will, to Greece, Cyprus, Italy, and Tunisia, where they not only performed, but also learned local dances and music Over the past 6 years, The Vanaver Caravan has brought their ethnic music and dance educational programs throughout the Hudson Valley, the US and in Rajasthan and Tamil Nadu, India, where they also studied local forms, and collaborated with local artists in full scale theatre works.