Christos Govetas is a gifted multi-instrumentalist who brings his authentic voice and earthy clarinet style from his homeland in Eastern Macedonia. After moving to the U.S. in his teens, Christos discovered his love of traditional music and went on to learn regional music from all over Greece and beyond. In addition to the clarinet, Christos plays the zourna, bouzouki and outi, bringing his 30 years of performing experience to the mix. Christos is a beloved teacher at many music and dance workshops and has performed and toured extensively in the U.S., Canada, Europe and Greece. In addition to leading Drómeno, Christos also plays with Pasatempo Rebetika, and also plays laouto and sings regional Greek music with Ziyia, and collaborates with Kip and Stanley Greenthal. Christos is the 1999 recipient of the prestigious Northwest Folklife Fellowship Award, honoring his cultural contribution to the Greek-American and Folk dance communities. Christos is also a member of Bill Frisell's Grammy-nominated The Intercontinentals.
Ruth Hunter began her musical career singing and playing Bulgarian folk music, but immersed herself in Greek music and culture after marrying Christos in 1995. She sings and plays accordion and leads the folk choir at Saint Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church as well as playing with Drómeno. Ruth has been actively performing Greek and Balkan music since 1985. In addition to playing with Drómeno, Ruth also sings and plays rebetika with Pasatempo Rebetika and has taught music and singing at workshops and toured in the U.S., Canada and Greece with both Drómeno and Pasatempo Rebetika.