Kitka

Kitka is an Oakland-based women’s vocal ensemble renowned for its performances of traditional Eastern European and Balkan vocal music, as well as innovative contemporary compositions for women’s voices. Over four decades, they have evolved from a grassroots group of diverse singers into an award-winning touring ensemble celebrated for their mastery of complex harmonies, dissonances, asymmetric rhythms, and haunting vocal ornamentation. Their concerts often explore songs from the Balkans, Caucasus, and Slavic lands, blending historical tradition with new arrangements; they also strive to treat traditional song as a living, evolving art form. Their “WinterSongs” concerts — often held at the venue located at 114 Montecito Avenue (St. Paul's Episcopal Church, Oakland) — serve as a moment for reflection, renewal, and communal connection through music.