Official Kitka YouTube Channel

Kitka is an American women's vocal arts ensemble inspired by traditional songs and vocal techniques from Eastern Europe. The Oakland-based octet has earned international recognition for its distinctive sound, exploring a vast palette of ancient yet contemporary-sounding vocal effects. The ensemble's earthy to ethereal timbres evoke an astonishing range of subtle to extreme inner states, instincts, and emotions. Kitka's commitment to presenting traditional song as a living and evolving expressive art form has led to adventurous collaboration ranging from Les Mystères des Voix Bulgares to Meredith Monk. Currently celebrating its 33rd season, Kitka began as a grassroots groups of amateur singers from diverse ethnic and musical backgrounds who shared a passion for the stunning dissonances, asymmetric rhythms, intricate ornamentation, and resonant strength of traditional Eastern European women's vocal music. Since its informal beginnings, the group has e