Isokratisses

Isokratisses is a vocal ensemble comprised of eight Greek-Albanian women who carry the ancient tradition of polyphonic songs from Epirus. Born and raised in the Greek-speaking villages around Deropolis and Politsani in Albania, the women of Isokratisses have sung these songs since childhood. The group ranges in age from 21 to 58 featuring a pair of sisters and an aunt in the lineup of the group.

The group started its artistic activity in 2015, after the singer Anna Katsi took the initiative to encourage the younger members to perform regularly. The communal nature of polyphonic singing is a way of revitalizing an art that has declined in recent years and reasserting the primacy of female voices in the southern Balkans. Singing these songs builds an invisible bridge that connects the present with the past, while the memories of childhood merge with the immediacy of daily life.

In 2019, they collaborated with Christopher King to perform at Le Guess Who? Festival in Utrecht, The Netherlands – their first performance together outside the Greek borders. In 2022, Third Man Records released their first album of solo polyphonic songs, produced by Christopher King, and they toured the USA, performing at venues such as the Kennedy Center and the Richmond Folk Festival. Following that, they performed at “Voci dal Mondo Reale” at the Triennale di Milano, on November 2022.

Anna Katsi was born and raised in Politsani. She studied music at the Music Lyceum of Gjirokastër (Argyrokastro) and worked as a music teacher. She has never stopped singing the traditional music of Epirus and is the main catalyst for Isokratisses.

Panagiota Tseliki was born in Politsani and lived there until the age of eighteen when she migrated to Greece to study law at the Democritus University of Thrace. She continues the tradition of polyphonic songs of Epirus, having been taught by her mother to sing in the local community.

Sofia Isou was born in Politsani and lived there until the age of seven. Her family migrated to Greece in 1997 and she studied pharmaceutics at the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens. She has sung polyphonic songs since her childhood, learning them from her grandparents, parents, and relatives.

Chrysoula Konomi was born in Politsani in 1991. She was nourished on polyphonic songs from an early age by her grandfather. In 2001 she moved to Athens, where she studied radiology and now works as a dental assistant.

Maria Gkika was born in Deropolis and grew up listening to traditional polyphonic songs within her family and community environment.

Artemis Isou was born in Politsani and moved to Athens at the age of fourteen. Her strongest influence was her grandmother who sang at home. She works as a pharmacist in Athens.

Electra Ksera was born in 2002 and spent her childhood and school years in Dervitsani. She moved to Athens to study at the University of Economics and Business. She is the youngest member of Isokratisses.