Our Singers

Debbie comes to Mila with a breadth of experience in folk music, singing ensembles, and solo performances, as well as a handful of recording projects. She was spellbound by Mila when she first heard them perform, ten years ago, and is beyond delighted to have realized her long-term goal of becoming a member in 2023. Since joining the group, she’s been amazed by both the music Mila gets the chance to perform and by the strength, humor, and accomplishments of her fellow Milanas. Born in Wisconsin, Debbie attended UW Madison for HR Management and now lives in St. Paul with her family; you’ll often find them crossing the river to spend time at the Minneapolis lakes.

Rada was born in Sofia, Bulgaria, and brings a strong background in Bulgarian folk music to Mila’s sound. She was raised in St. Paul, but grew up surrounded by a diverse range of folk songs, classical music, and world music; she’s been singing since she first learned to speak, and has even done some of her own songwriting and composing. She has been with Mila since 2017, and has especially appreciated the opportunity it has given her to continue the vocal traditions she was raised with. When she’s not practicing music, Rada works for a supply chain tech company and loves to dance and swim in her free time.

Leslie is the Executive Director of Mila, and has been a part of the group since 2018. Having come to Mila with a wide range of experience in solo and choral settings, Leslie loves the opportunity to be challenged vocally and feel connected to her Polish heritage through music. She brings both undergraduate and master’s degrees in Classical vocal music to Mila, and uses the expanse of that knowledge to create musical stylings and techniques for the group. Originally from the Green Bay area of Wisconsin, Leslie now lives in Minneapolis, where she works for Minnesota Public Radio as a Development Events Program Manager.

Some of Emily’s favorite memories are of performing and singing, from musical theater in elementary school to chamber choir in high school, and she has been blown away by the variety of new vocal challenges Mila has offered since joining the group in 2023. She first got to know Mila during a video collaboration back in 2018; after graduating from Hampshire College with a film and creative writing degree and moving back to Saint Paul, she was thrilled at the chance to finally audition and is routinely astonished by the skill of her fellow singers. In her spare time, Emily works on her latest novel, practices her figure skating skills, goes out with her friends, and snuggles with her cat, Kiki.

Marie comes from an instrumental and academic background as a clarinetist and musicologist. In addition to playing, she began singing during grad school with “Balkanalia”, the University of Illinois campus Balkan music group. Marie holds a PhD in Musicology with a minor in Ethnomusicology; she joined Mila in 2006, after moving back to Minnesota, and has been with the group ever since. She lives in Woodbury with her family, teaches middle school band in Bloomington, and enjoys embroidering, kayaking, traveling, and reading in her spare time.

Daniela's love for music started from a young age and brought her to the US, where she received a Bachelors of Music in Vocal Performance from Ithaca College. While growing up in a culturally diverse household in Kyiv, Ukraine, Daniela was able to learn from local musicians, sing for local community events, and record multiple albums of her favorite songs. She developed a passion for the beauty of Eastern European music, and was so happy that in 2018 she found Mila to transport her back. After spending time on the east coast completing her studies, Daniela has settled in St. Paul, where she works as a Board-Certified Music Therapist at Regions Hospital. Outside of music, Daniela loves to cuddle with her two pets, try new foods, and travel.

Jana grew up singing Norwegian and German folk melodies with her mother at the piano, instilling a love of language and folk music that initially brought her to Mila back in 2001. She has expertise in classical vocal, instrumental, and choral music, and has toured with singing groups all over Europe. She has loved getting to know more singing styles, languages, and captivating chords while singing with Mila, as well as the travel and collaboration they’ve gotten to do over the years. She lives in Minneapolis and works as a magazine editor, writing and translating articles about Norwegian culture.

Aleksandra—Sanja, as Mila knows her—is originally from Yugoslavia and is one of Mila’s founding members. Sanja grew up in a musical family, where singing was interwoven into all aspects of her life. She discovered Mila in 1989 when it was still known as “EDT Vocal Ensemble”; she was initially asked to help the group with pronunciation and interpretation, but once she’d heard them sing, she was hooked. She is Mila’s current treasurer and serves on Mila’s Board of Directors as their CFO, and is continually impressed by the passion and dedication of her fellow Milanas. She has four adult children and three grandchildren, and lives in Saint Paul; she works for the Minnesota Housing Authority, and spends her free time baking, gardening, and traveling.