​Our Vibrant Repertoire

The ensemble's sound encompasses traditional, folk, Classical Arabic, Sephardic, and Greek Rembetika, as well as the music of the Ottoman Court. We also explore 20th century urban music from regions such as Armenia, Greece (including Asia Minor, Smyrni, and Konstantinoupoli), Turkey, and neighboring countries like Egypt, Lebanon, Syria, and Israel.

 

The timeless rhythms and beautiful melodies of the East are mesmerizing on their own. When colored with tints of Classical, Jazz, Celtic, and Folk music, they give The Light of East Ensemble a worldly sound that is entirely unique.

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The Musicians

Band members draw on diverse musical backgrounds to offer a shared passion that immediately engages listeners:​​

• Tracey Atin (Vocals): A Windsor soprano who enriches the group's music with Hebrew, Sephardic, and Yiddish traditions.

• Alexandra Mourgou (Vocals, Guitar, Zills, Spoons) & Mohanad Al Kuhlani (Vocals): Bringing the Arabic and Asia Minor (Greek and Turkish) musical traditions to vibrant life within the group.

• Menelaos Menelaou: Violin

• Jedd House: Contra Basso

• Jana Starling: Clarinet, Accordion

• Dorukhan Turan: Percussion, Ney, Kaval

• Panayiotis Giannarapis: (Oud, Bouzouki, Tzoura, Baglama, Ney, Politiki Lyra, Stergiano Laouto)

• Ishra: Regular guest performer bringing dynamic belly dance to the stage.

 

Stage & Festival Highlights

This award winning ensemble has been recognized at the Forest City London Music Awards and showcased at Folk Music Ontario (2010, 2019, and 2022). We captivate audiences across a wide variety of venues:

• Intimate Spaces & Theaters: Chaucer’s Pub, Kordazone Theatre, Museum London, the Art Gallery of Windsor, and university concert series in Guelph, Windsor, and Western Ontario.

• Major Concert Halls: The Aeolian and Centennial Hall in London.

• Bustling Festivals: The 25th edition of London’s world renowned TD Sunfest, the inaugural Windsor Hummus Festival, Stratford Summer Music on the Barge, Hamilton World Music Festival, the London Fringe Festival, Summer Sunset Sounds, and multicultural festivals across Guelph, Huron, and Niagara.

 

Collaborations & Theatrical Work

The ensemble consistently attracts top collaborators from other genres and disciplines. We have performed with the International Symphony Orchestra and the London Symphonia, conducted and arranged by Scott Good.

Our theatrical and special event contributions include providing recorded music for the Robin Soans play The Arab Israeli Cookbook (Kitchener’s Registry Theatre, 2016). In recent years, we were invited to perform at London's Grand Theatre for the East Coast Kitchen Party (2023), with the Karen Schuessler Singers, and at Toronto Jewish Music Week (2024). We have also played at receptions for CBC Radio London and Festivals & Events Ontario.

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(For a complete list of our past shows, please visit our Past Performances page.)

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Discography

The ensemble has three well received albums to its credit, available online and at concerts:

• Sephardic Heart (2019): Recorded live in November 2018 at London’s Procunier Hall. This album celebrates the music of the Jewish communities that flourished in Europe and the Mediterranean Basin after 1492. It is full of passionate love songs, poignant lullabies, and fascinating history lessons.

• Live at The Aeolian (2015)

• Beyond Our Shores (2009)