Trained in classical clarinet at the Oberlin Conservatory of Music, Barbara switched gears and received her B.A. in ethnomusicology from UCLA. She has since specialized in performing Hungarian, Greek, Balkan, Polish, and Polka music, and has toured parts of the U.S. and Europe.

As the clarinetist for Kárpátok, a Hungarian folk dance troupe, she took up soprano sax as a modern substitute for tárogató. Years later she attended a concert of the Bulgarian saxophone virtuoso Yuri Yunakov, and was inspired to start playing alto sax too! Barbara currently performs with the Lowiczanie Polish Folk Ensemble, and several Bay area polka bands.

She was the Music Director of the Westwind International Folk Ensemble (from 2002 until it was disbanded in 2011), and is currently Danubius’ Manager.