After a very creative workshop year in -, the vocal workshop about Rebetiko is beginning again for the year -. Starting from October, in this year’s meetings we are going to learn from the greater composers of Rebetiko, focusing on the vocal melody. We will investigate the vocal lines, ornamentation, style and technique as developed in each song. We will discuss and analyze the style of each composer, diving deeper in the musical environment of Rebetiko music. In the end of each workshop the students will be able to understand musical characteristics of each composer, stylistic patterns of the vocal lines as well as technical information about the singer.
During the year, we will have the chance to experience group singing and explore voice in relation to our body as well. The workshop includes also vocal exercises, vocal group practice and technical and performance guidance. Each student will also receive individual advice about technique and interpretation during the lesson.

About Vanessa:

Vanessa Kourtesi is a musician, singer, songwriter and educator originally from Athens and currently based in Rotterdam. One of her first musical influences is Rebetiko and Greek traditional music. She has performed in many Athenian music scenes and collaborated with many musicians of the genre. Inspired by other musical traditions and feeling the need to explore music more and search for her artistic identity, in she decided to move to the Netherlands and study at the World Music department of Codarts-University of the Arts in Rotterdam, specializing in singing and Eastern Mediterranean music. The year she has been producing her first record with her own compositions "Spending time with Esther", part of her project "I am Esther" which was released in May . She has been a member and lead singer of many bands that move around the traditional and folk music of Greece and Mediterranean sounds such as "Merem" "The Circle Orchestra", "Serenade Ensemble "," Sunday Stories-Rebiko quartet "," November Quintet "," Icho ", but also as a solo artist. She has appeared and toured in music venues and festivals in Greece, France, Belgium and the Netherlands. Vanessa is also a vocal educator, at the moment pursuing a master’s degree in Voice Pedagogy in University of Wales Trinity St David.

The workshops will take place in Art Base the following dates:


Saturday 10/10.00-13.00,
Saturday / 11-16h and Sunday /0-13h
Saturday / 11-16h,
Saturday / 11-16h and Sunday /0-13h

Minimum participants: 4, maximum participants: 15.

Price: 60€ for 5 hours, 40€ for 3 hours
*For those who want to participate on both dates in one weekend (November 18 and 19, January nd March nd the price is 85 euros for the whole weekend.

If you have any questions, contact us on

Vanessa Kourtesi:
Art Base:

Art Base, Saturday 10/1 10-13h,
ue des Sables Zandstraat, 1000 Bruxelles. For reservations & more info to www.art-base.be