ABOUT
Erini (aka Erini Tornesaki) is a vocalist of jazz and Greek traditional music who blurs the lines between genres and explores intercultural dialogue through music. Growing up on Crete, she was always moved by the stories of her family who were refugees from Smyrna (Izmir) in 1922. Fascinated by the Greek culture of Asia Minor, she became passionate for the traditional music of the region.
Erini pursued classical music studies starting at the age of 6, playing piano and cello. Her curiosity for music from around the world led her to England to study Contemporary Vocal Performance, and later on to the United States at the Berklee Global Jazz Institute where she received a Master's Degree mentored by Grammy award-winning pianist Danilo Perez.
Erini toured Cirque Du Soleil for 3 years, as the vocalist of the show Kurios and participated in the Emmy Award winning VR movie 'Kurios inside the Box'. She has collaborated with Danilo Perez, Luciana Souza, Christos Zotos, Daniel Hope, Mario Frangoulis, amongst others and has appeared at Panama Jazz Festival, Ronnie Scott's Jazz Club and Carnegie Hall, NYC. She is currently an Assistant Professor at the Berklee College of Music. Erini is currently based in Boston, MA and performs around the world as a soloist, a collaborative vocalist or with her Greek traditional music group ‘Pharos Ensemble’.
MUSIC
Erini feat. Naseem Alatrash - Korasion etragoudage
Korasion Etragoudage is a Greek traditional song from Asia Minor, from the area of Propontis (Sea of Marmara), performed live by Erini featuring Naseem Alatrash.
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PERFORMANCES
OTHER PROJECTS
ERINI FEAT. NASEEM ALATRASH
Erini is a 4th generation descendant of Smyrna Refugees, whose music has been passed on to her through her ancestors. This music transcends cultural and national borders, drawing influences from Greek, Turkish/Ottoman, Arabic, Armenian and Byzantine idioms, with many of the same songs and melodies being shared amongst the different cultures.
Erini performs in a duo with Palestinian cellist Naseem Alatrash, presenting the traditional songs of Asia Minor in a new light, carrying them forward for new generations, while helping to dissolve stigma and create empathy for the refugees and immigrants living around the world.
Pharos Ensemble is named after “φάρος”, from the Greek word “lighthouse” and specializes in the music of the Greek refugees of Anatolia. The ensemble consists of four highly acclaimed musicians and educators, all of whom are graduates of the prestigious Berklee College of Music. They have all studied their musical traditions in depth and they currently present them in the United States and around the world.
The ensemble’s members have a long list of credentials that include performances with Cirque Du Soleil, Petroloukas Halkias, Glykeria, Danilo Perez, Dave Liebman, Anat Cohen, to name a few and appearances in prestigious venues such as: the Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Megaron - Athens Concert Hall and WOMEX and the 2018 Annual Archon Weekend event in New York City, with special guest speaker Joe Biden.
MEMBERS
Eirini Tornesaki - Voice
Vasilis Kostas - Laouto
Panos Aivazidis - Kanun
George Lernis - Percussion
TEACHING
Private Voice Lessons
Erini offers Online Voice lessons, via Skype, Facetime etc.
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Greek Traditional Singing
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Contemporary Styles
Erini accepts students of all ages and abilities and can work in the following areas:
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Vocal Technique
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Sight Reading
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Improvisation
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Ear Training
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Repertoire Development
For rates and availability, please inquire at:
Articles
Erini is also a contributor for Berklee Online “Take note” magazine where she writes articles about singing:
ARTICLE:
10 Tips for Singing 10 Shows Per Week
Cirque Du Soleil Performer Eirini Tornesaki Shares Her Secrets
From Eirini’s Students...
“Eirini is wonderful to work with! She really knows how the voice works on a functional level, and understands how to get the best results. She knows many different styles, and is positive and encouraging.”
~ Christa
“From breathwork – to range, strength and c ontrol exercises – to working on songs of your own personal genres and interest – Eirini shows up with sincere enthusiasm, encouragement, honest critique and advice on how to practice and improve. She's great!”
~ Fred
"Erini is an amazing and unique vocal coach who has helped me in my career as a singer. With her I learned about voice, music, professionalism and she has inspired me to become a better person and musician."
~ Anastasia
“…Taking lessons with an extremely talented and experienced vocalist can be intimidating but, with Erini, you feel as if you're learning with a friend. Erini will take time to come up with personalized exercises for your individual problem areas, and she reinforces important concepts throughout…”
~ Aggeliki
CONTACT
Contact Erini at or by filling out the form below: