Event

Alchymeia

The practitioners of the ancient art of alchemy often sought to transform or combine a variety of elements. In a similar manner, the members of the ensemble Alchymeia gather folk song ingredients from various cultures and arrange them in new and fascinating ways. The repertoire reflects the varying backgrounds of the ensemble's founding musicians.

Nadia Tarnawsky has been studying Eastern European singing techniques for nearly two decades with Ukrainian singers Mariana Sadowska, Lilia Pavlovska, Albanian singer Merita Halili, and Bulgarian singers Maria Bebelekova and Donka Koleva. She has taught workshops in Ukrainian village-style singing for the Center of Traditional Music and Dance (NYC).

Brandon Vance is a two-time Open U.S. National Scottish Fiddle Champion and the youngest player ever to attain the national title at age 14. Brandon has performed with numerous Celtic artists including Alasdair Fraser, Natalie Haas, Carl Peterson, Maggie's Fury, and Clumsy Lovers.

Nadia and Brandon began performing together in 2008 and in 2010 they enlisted some of Seattle's finest musicians to create Alchymeia. Recent performance venues include the La MaMa Experimental Theatre Company (NYC), the Center for Traditional Music and Dance (NYC), the Ukrainian Museum (NYC), the Northwest Folklife Festival (Seattle), the Pink Door (Seattle), Columbia City Theatre (Seattle), Cafe Paloma(Seattle), and the Mandolin Cafe(Tacoma).

Alchymeia: Nadia Tarnawsky (vocals), Brandon Vance (violin), Yusuf Kilgore (guitar), Steve Rice (accordion/piano) and Brad Hawkins (cello). Not pictured: Ahmad Yusefbeigi (percussion).