By Renee Pappas
Erini Tomesaki is sharing the beautiful sounds of Greek folk music with the world. Her debut album, *Fos* (“Light”), honors the Greek refugees from Asia Minor, including her great-grandparents, who left their homes in 1923. The album features 13 traditional songs from the region and highlights Erini’s dedication to preserving the musical heritage of these communities.
Erini’s musical journey began on the island of Crete and has taken her to stages around the globe. She graduated from Berklee College of Music, where she is now an Assistant Professor. Her music blends Greek folk with jazz, pop, and classical styles.
Throughout her international career, Erini toured North America for three years with Cirque du Soleil, performing 1,074 shows. She has collaborated with well-known artists like Barry Manilow, James Bay, and Danilo Perez. Her talent has also led her to perform on two Grammy-nominated albums and at prestigious venues such as Carnegie Hall and the Ancient Theater in Delphi, as well as at Greek cultural events for the United Nations and the Hellenic Ministry of Culture.
In 2023, Erini was selected for a prominent WOMEX showcase in Barcelona and recently performed in China on the *Music in Joy* TV show. She also has an upcoming eight-concert tour in Belgium. Erini has conducted workshops at prestigious institutions like Harvard, Princeton, and MIT, sharing her expertise in Greek traditional music.
Her efforts in cultural preservation and contributions to the global music scene have earned her numerous accolades, including the Greek America Foundation’s 40 Under 40 Award, the Massachusetts Cultural Council’s Traditional Arts Fellowship, and the New Music USA Creator Award.
Eleni’s will be performing on December 6 at Drom, NY, dromnyc.com
Photo credit
Panagiotis Kadigkos
