Medenki of The Medena Ensemble

Aotearoa’s premier Bulgarian Folklore Vocal Ensemble, present their new collection of exquisite acapella offerings - carrying song threads from afar with a longstanding passion for, and a dedication to, the craft.

This performance is a vibrant feminine tapestry of traditional Bulgarian song, where classic choral arrangements rub shoulders with obscure rural treasures. This song cycle is specially prepared for Medena Ensemble’s upcoming collaboration with the long standing New York based Bulgarian folklore choir, Yasna Voices, at the renowned Koprivshtitsa Festival, in Bulgaria, this August.

During their time in Bulgaria, the singers will also engage in some specialised vocal study with masters in the music including, the Bistrishkite Babi, Iliyana Naydenova, Svetla Stanilova, Hadjievi Sestri, Neli Andreeva, Radka Aleksova, Gergana Dimitrova & more.

The Medenki of Medena Ensemble invite you to celebrate and support their inaugural journey to the source of this enchanted mahi… Ways of supporting this inspired project include:

Medena means “honeyed”. Highlight performances include Auckland Folk Festival 2025, World Choir Games 2024, VoCo, Unitarian Church with Bulgarian Roses 2023, Daughters of Orpheus 2025