Name: VOICES OF REBETIKO SINGING WORKSHOP WITH VANESSA KOURTESI
Start: 2026-03-08T12:00:00+01:00
End: 2026-03-08T15:00:00+01:00
Location: 29 rue des Sables , 1000 Brussels, Belgium

VOICES OF REBETIKO SINGING WORKSHOP WITH VANESSA KOURTESI

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 65€. Only Sunday 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.
Art Base, Saturday-Sunday 7-8/3/26, 29 rue des Sables Zandstraat, 1000 Bruxelles.
For reservations & more info to www.art-base.be