Sophie Lukacs

Hailing from Montreal by way of Budapest, Hungary, Sophie Lukacs is a kora player and singer songwriter. Trained on the violin in western classical music from a young age, a chance trip to Burkina Faso in her early twenties completely changed her musical direction, and her life. It's there she discovered the kora: a 21-stringed harp-lute from the Mandingue empire. She began lessons shortly after, and travelled to Paris for a master class with kora legend Toumani Diabaté. When he invited her to study with him in Bamako, Mali, she packed her bags and leapt into the unknown. Sophie spent seven years in Mali (learning fluent Bambara along the way), studying with kora masters Toumani Diabaté and Ballake Sissoko's family.

Drawing inspiration from her time in Mali, as well as her earlier musical experiences - studies in western classical violin, and her roots in Hungarian folk music - she has forged a unique style in the folk tradition. Sophie's music is rooted in love, empathy, and vulnerability, creating an intimate connection with listeners. On stage, she is supported by cello and percussion, and sings in English, French, Bambara and Hungarian.

Sophie has played to audiences across Europe, Africa and North America and is the winner of the Stingray Rising Star award (2020) and the MUZ Vision Diversité prize (2022). She recently released her debut album, featuring 2 tracks with the legendary Habib Koité.