Rebetiko music is the urban popular music of Greece, known for its
versatile styles, melodies, rhythms and lyrics.  The voice and the
singer have a central role in the style through the decades of its
presence and development: depending on the different era and chapter of
Rebetiko, we can hear and study melodies rooted in modal music,
different forms of improvisation, ornamentation and vocal motives,
different timbres, colors and melodic lines.
During the workshop we will discuss and analyze the style of each
composer and singer, talk about the theoretical background in Greek
modal music and understand the principles of melodic improvisation in
this musical style.
In the end of each workshop the students will be able to understand
musical characteristics of each song, stylistic patterns of the vocal
lines as well as technical information. Participants will also have the
chance to experience group singing and explore voice in relation to our
body as well.

The workshop includes
·        warm up
·         technical vocal exercises
·         vocal group practice
.      technical and performance guidance including individual advice
·         repertoire
·        theoretical/technical/stylistic information related to the
repertoire

The workshop is open to anyone who is interested in diving into the
style of Rebetiko. All levels are welcome

Price:
Only Saturday 15/11 65€. Only Sunday 16/11 45€. Both days 100€.

Vanessa Kourtesi  is a musician, vocalist, composer, and vocal educator
based in Athens and Rotterdam. Born and raised in Athens, one of her
first musical influences is Rebetiko and Greek traditional music. She
has performed in many Athenian music scenes and collaborated with great
musicians of the genre. She focuses on the music of Greece and the
Eastern Mediterranean, exploring compositional, lyrical, and vocal ways
to express herself.  As a songwriter she uses narrative, poetry, and
engages greek modal music with jazz and experimental/improvised music,
inspired by her experiences and imagination.
In 2022, she released her first EP titled "Spending time with Esther,"
composed and produced by herself. Currently, she is working on her next
personal album, which will be realized in 2026. Beyond her personal
projects, Vanessa is a vocalist and composer in various formations and
ensembles such as "Merem," (founding member), "The Circle Orchestra"
(founding member), Throisma trio. She also participates in music groups
that focus on the musical traditions of Greece and urban folk and
improvised/experimental music performing in venues and festivals around
Greece, Turkey, France, Belgium and the Netherlands (North Sea Jazz
festival, Ano Polis world music festival, Athens Festival, Music Village
festival and others).

She teaches individually and conducts group seminars about voice,
performance and rebetiko in Greece, France, Belgium, and she is a
visitor teacher in Modern music School in Frankfurt, Germany.

She is a graduate of the Codarts-University of the Arts in Rotterdam and
holds a master degree in Voice Pedagogy from Voice Study Center of the
University of Wales. Her research and educational interests revolve
around performance anxiety in singing and vocalists. Her research on the
topic has led her to lead workshops realted to voice through play and
improvisation, and exploration tool to vocal performing practices.

Samples and videos

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