The Resonant Heart is a uniquely curated and crafted multidisciplinary project that celebrates the work of an international group of BIPOC and CALD female artists who reside in Melbourne. Collaboratively developed between musician, curator and storyteller Nela Trifkovic and all the artists, the project navigates the quintessential themes of love, grief, joy and suffering, exploring a different aspect of these themes each year.

In 2021, our focus is on musical, theatrical, movement and poetic exploration of dreams – woven and scaped – after a long time being off-stage, imagining and consolidating our creative-rituals-of belonging, the artists are here to communicate more about their day-to-day creative processes, rather than just sharing their art works at the completion stage.

Drawing on this idea, The Resonant Heart’s dream weaving process kicks off now in the form of a 5-episode mini-series that will introduce each of the artists featured in the 2022 line-up of the project. All 5 episodes will be available to watch until Sunday, March 13.

Ep. 1 - Sarita McHarg - AVAILABLE NOW

Steeped in the centuries-old Indian folk culture, Dr Sarita McHarg brings a unique classical and contemporary experience to the world of music. A true devotional Sitarist and Vocalist, Sarita has earned several prestigious recognitions including All India Radio Artist, the Talent Award from the University of Vikram (India) and an award for the for contribution to Malwa (folk) music from the Madhya Pradesh State Government in India, to name but a few. During her thirty-five years of musical journey, Sarita is well known for her spiritual and heart-rending playing style. With her strong grip on classical ragas and her staggering instrumentation, Sarita brings the audience along as if they are part of her compositions, whether she’s performing in India or Australia. From the International Jazz Festival in Melbourne to the Fringe Festival in Sydney, Kathmandu Jazz Conservatory in Nepal or the famous Mahakal Temple in India, Sarita is equally at ease presenting classical Indian ragas with other instruments such as Bouzouki, Oud, Violin and Harp, blending beautiful traditional and modern music.

Ep. 2 - SARAY Iluminado Femme - AVAILABLE NOW

SARAY Iluminado Femme is a trio derivative of the ensemble SARAY Iluminado, a Melbourne based group that specialises Sephardic Jewish and Sevdah, the traditional music of Bosnia and Herzegovina. The group explores contemporary, diasporic reimagining of Sephardic Jewish Romances and Sevdalinka songs. Similarly to the five-piece version of SARAY Iluminado, the Femme Trio creates a playful sound-field for the musical musings of its members, welcoming musicians who come together in love and respect of each other’s musical and cultural traditions. The Femme Trio made their European debut at the Sicilian traditional music circuit in August 2019. Between memory and possibility, hope and history, the potential for our ascension is rooted deeply in the songs, stories, food and coffee rituals of our grandmothers, their grandmothers and the ones before them. The songs we (re)sing/(re)play and the stories we (re)tell are the replanted roots and reimagined dreams for an individually united sense of a better tomorrow

Ep. 3 - Elnaz Sheshgelani - AVAILABLE JANUARY 24

Elnaz Sheshgelani is a writer, theatre maker, puppeteer and performance artist whose work revives the pre-Islamic form of Naghali, the most ancient surviving form of Persian dramatic performance. Having completed a PhD thesis that explored reconstructing this ancient art form, she makes theatre that is a synthesis of different perspectives, fascinated by the way visual art intersects with installation, performing art and puppetry. Her performances are immersive, whole body sensory experiences that utilise poetry, the rhythm of language and the moving body. Her work magnifies the Persian aesthetic and culture. Her research examines ancient illustrations and creates puppets in their likeness, bringing this historic style to life.

Ep. 4 - Vahideh Eisaei - AVAILABLE JANUARY 31

Vahideh Eisaei is an Iranian-Australia Qanun player. Based in Melbourne, Australia, Vahideh has performed with many ensembles throughout Europe, the Middle East and Australia. Her primary mode of expression is via the Qanun ; an instrument of rare beauty. -known for its delicate tones, and extrovert virtuosity. Her work with the Chakam and Sarv ensemble in Melbourne has had audiences enthralled. She recently performed in the critically acclaimed theatre work- The Audition – an Outer Urban Projects production, presented at La Mama theatre. She is currently working on original compositions for the Qanun and other instruments such as Cello and the Oud. This work will be recorded this year and is produced by Outer Urban Projects.

Ep. 5 - Lizzie Kuoth - AVAILABLE FEBRUARY 7

At the end of 2002, Lizzy Kuoth was just 11 years of age and escaping war-torn South Sudan with her grandmother, younger siblings and cousin, seeking safety as a refugee in Egypt. Like many South Sudanese people, the civil war forced them to leave their home country. Her grandmother Nyaluak Hoth risked everything for a better life. Fifteen years on, the story of her journey from teenage refugee to Empowering Monash Women Award recipient in 2012. Lizzy Kuoth has worked as a consultant for the state government, St Francis Xavier Collage and as well as a community organiser for the Australian Multicultural Foundation- advocating for women, children and families marginalised by poverty, mental illness, disability and social isolation. Lizzy Kuoth recently join LXRP as the Industry Inclusion and Capability Officer. Also studying Business Economic major at Swinburne University, Lizzy says she is fortunate to have met people in her life who have guided and supported her in a positive way.

Contact the host of The Resonant Heart Online Miniseries