Sibil•la Ensemble
Biography Sibil•la Ensemble
Kristia Michael
is a soprano, composer, and sound artist hailing from Cyprus, and since 2024, the label manager of the Dutch record label, TRPTK. She has obtained a Bachelor’s Degree in Music Studies from ARTE Music Academy in Cyprus, as well as a Bachelor’s Degree in Education Sciences with a specialization in Primary Education from the University of Cyprus. Kristia pursued advanced studies at The Royal Conservatory of The Hague, where she earned her Master’s degree in “New Audiences and Innovative Practice” with cum laude distinction. During her studies, she received guidance and mentorship from Noa Frenkel, Natalia Pshenischnikova, and Yannis Kyriakides. Kristia’s unique blend of early and contemporary music showcases her versatility and dedication to pushing artistic boundaries.
Kristia is focusing on Medieval Music repertoire, and she has recently taken up playing the Gothic harp. She has performed at the Utrecht Early Music Festival, the Festival of European Polyphony in Rhodes, the Early Music Festivals of Cyprus, etc. She has collaborated with the ensemble Ex Silentio and shared the stage with artists like Marcel Pérès. In addition to her performances, Kristia is the founder and artistic director of Sibil·la Ensemble, which is now collaborating with TRPTK for releasing one of the first immersive audio and video album in the Medieval Music scene.
Regarding contemporary music and composition, she has a profound interest in the exploration and use of extended vocal techniques, pure tones, folk timbres, and the realm of performance art. She devotes herself to collaborating with composers for the purpose of presenting world premieres, participating in recording endeavors, engaging in diverse projects, and contributing to the creation of works and operas. She has collaborated with festivals and institutions, including Dag in de Branding (NL), Orkest de Ereprijs (NL), MusicAeterna and Dom.Radio (RU), and Cyprus Symphony Orchestra, and she has worked closely with the ensembles Nieuw Amsterdams Peil (NL), Arctic Trio Ensemble (NW), Φ Faos Ensemble (GR), and Kali Ensemble (NL). She has recorded for theatres, music theatres, movies and ballets.
Kristia has composed various pieces encompassing vocal music and multichannel sound installations. These have been premiered in new music festivals such as Dag in de Branding (NL), EPICENTROOM Festival (RU), SPRING Festival (NL), and the IMZ International Music + Media Centre (AU), and State Hermitage Museum (RU), where her compositions served as soundtracks for an exhibition featuring Albrecht Dürer’s works. In 2020, she collaborated with Andreas Moustoukis on the album “Silent Lands”.
