Since its informal beginnings, the group has evolved into an internationally-recognized professional ensemble known for its artistry, versatility, and mastery of the demanding techniques of Balkan and Slavic vocal styling. Through a busy itinerary of live and broadcast performances, recording, educational programs, master artist residencies, commissioning programs, and adventuresome collaborations, Kitka has exposed millions to the haunting beauty of their unique repertoire.

Kitka's voices have been featured frequently on National Public Radio including special appearances on Performance Today, All Things Considered, and A Prairie Home Companion. The exotic and emotive power of Kitka's singing has been utilized in a number of film soundtracks, including Jacob's Ladder, Braveheart, and Queen of the Damned, as well as in the American Conservatory Theater s critically acclaimed productions of Hecuba, starring Olympia Dukakis.

In 2002, the group toured Bulgaria, where, as international guests of honor they shared the stage of the National Palace of Culture in Sofia with the world-renowned Bulgarian Women's Choir Le Mystere des Voix Bulgares.

In 2005, Kitka journeyed to Ukraine to perform and gather traditional songs with the country s most celebrated folk singers. Kitka s field research in Ukraine led to the creation of a new vocal-theater piece, The Rusalka Cycle: Songs Between the Worlds featuring original music by Ukrainian composer Mariana Sadovska and stage direction by Ellen Sebastian Chang. The Rusalka Cycle premiered to sold-out houses and wildly enthusiastic public acclaim in Oakland in the fall of 2005. The Rusalka Cycle will be remounted in San Francisco and tour nationally and internationally in the 2007-2008 season.

Kitka has recorded seven albums on their own Diaphonica record label. Their most recent CD, music from the Rusalka Cycle: Songs Between the Worlds, will be released in January 2007 and will be available at all Kitka and Kavkasia performances. Also this winter, a new public television special produced by Forest Creatures Entertainment, Kitka and Davka in Concert: Old and New World Jewish Music, is being broadcast nationwide in the United States.

The singers of Kitka are: Zlatka Baneva, Leslie Bonnett, Briget Boyle, Shira Cion, Catherine Rose Crowther, Juliana Graffagna, Phoebe Jevtovic, Janet Kutulas, and Natalia Ukrainska.

Official Web Site: http://www.kitka.org

Voices on the Eastern Wind (Diaphonica, 1996)

Nectar (Diaphonica, 1999)

Vine (Diaphonica, 2002)

Wintersongs (Diaphonica, 2003)

Rusalka Cycle (Diaphonica, 2007)