⭐️ SAT 14 MAR = ZORA @ Auckland Arts Festival (2pm)
As part of the Global Music Block Party FREE ENTRY

Inter-traditional quartet featuring Rasoul Abbasi (Iran) on kamancheh, Hanna Wiskari (Sweden) on saxophones, Basant Madhur (India) on tabla & Tui Mamaki (France/Bulgaria) on voice.

⭐️ AUCKLAND WORKSHOPS “Daughters of Orpheus Return”

Freshly returned from the homeland of that exquisite vocal music, Medena Ensemble continue to integrate new repertoire towards a Full Circle Concert on 7 June 2026. Ever wanted to sing with other women enamoured with the Bulgarian Folklore? The following workshops are open to visiting singers:

FEBRUARY 21 : “Aishinko Pilya Sherano” (gorgeous classic folk choir piece)
MARCH 15 : “Mwri Tudoro, Tudoro” (beautifully ornamented Rodopa song)

Location: Birkenhead
Times : 10am-4pm
Cost :  $125-175 (Pay As You Can)
tuimamaki@gmail.com / 021 155 55 82

🦋 Some stories and photographs of the adventure we had in Bulgaria :
https://tuimamaki.com/2025/09/22/medena-ensemble-in-bulgaria/

🦋 Footage of “Daughters of Orpheus Concert” performed June 2025 :
https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLekHmAvCDikecPvRHC_UnfAuR34APDz6M&si=qIO73bO69deZxcQ7

⭐️ WELLINGTON WORKSHOPS : SLAVEYA-A-TARA

[20-22 MARCH 2026]

Inaugural workshop for the Wellington based Bulgarian Folklore Vocal Ensemble, led by Tui Mamaki. Expressions of interest to tuimamaki@gmail.com. This chamber ensemble (up to 12 women) has a few places available for relatively experienced singers wishing to delve into traditional Bulgarian repertoire and techniques – both collectively in weekend workshops, held several times a year, and in the more regular self-directed gatherings of the group. A Whanganui-a-Tara answer to Medena Ensemble !

⭐️ ACAPOLLiNATiONS ALBUM

“A multi-lingual, compelling collection of folklore songs, where archaic musical systems are reimagined for 3 vivacious voices. In this performance, Tui Mamaki (French-Kiwi), Chelsea Prastiti (Greek-Kiwi) and Sally Howe (Cook Island-Kiwi) interweave songs from their grandmothers – both genetic and imagined – with a bespoke repertoire issue of Tui Mamaki’s love affair with Bulgarian Folklore. Evocative melodies, stirringly close harmony and stories we all know – of longing, harvest and transcendence – anew.”

RECENT PERFORMANCES:

KOPRIVSHTITSA Bulgaria, AUCKLAND FOLK FESTIVAL, EMC, WELLINGTON FOLK FESTIVAL, WORLD CHOIR GAMES, NEWTOWN FESTIVAL, Palmerston North Festival of Cultures, AUCKLAND FOLK FESTIVAL & WHARE FLAT FOLK FESTIVAL 2024, WOMADNZ 2023, ONEONESIX Whangarei, WHANGAREI FRINGE FESTIVAL 2022, 2021 LUNASA FESTIVAL (Takaka), NEWTOWN FESTIVAL (Wellington), EARTH BEAT FESTIVAL (Atiu Creek), 2020 WHANGAREI FRINGE FESTIVAL, SAN FRAN (Wellington), EVOLVE FESTIVAL (Nelson) 2019 AUCKLAND FOLK FESTIVAL (w/ Chris O’Connor), NEWTOWN FESTIVAL, LUMINATE FESTIVAL (w/ Doug Brush), ARTS ON TOUR NZ, 2018 ALBUM RELEASE TOUR : AUCKLAND (Unitarian Church w/ Basant Madhur), ROTORUA (Little Theatre w/ Angela Frank), WELLINGTON (Third Eye w/ Myele Manzanza), NELSON (Fairfield House), CHCH (Blue Smoke w/ Doug Brush), DUNEDIN (Bellamy’s Gallery), WHANGAREI (w/ Steve Moase), SOFIA (Slwntse-Luna w/ Kipri), CEVENNES FRANCE (w/ Piers Faccini), MELBOURNE (Studio One w/ Matt Stonehouse), BYRON BAY (Paradise One w/ Tunji Beier, Ben Walsh & Greg Sheehan)

FESTIVAL HIGHLIGHTS: WOMADNZ 2023, Linz International Street Art Festival (AUSTRIA), Veroli Street Art Festival (ITALY), Auckland Arts Festival (NZ), Adelaide Fringe Festival (AUSTRALIA), Festival Musiques d’Ici et d’Ailleurs (FRANCE), Imst Arts Festival (AUSTRIA), Breminales Festival (GERMANY), Fusion Festival (GERMANY), Aarde Festival Amsterdam (HOLLAND), Sunfest London Ontario (CANADA), Alianait Arts Festival Nunavut (CANADA), Franco-Fete Toronto (CANADA), Gwanju World Music Festival (KOREA), World of Wearable Arts (NZ), WOMADNZ 2007 (NZ)