Sophie Lukacs is a kora player, singer and composer, born in Budapest, Hungary, and raised in Canada. She grew up surrounded by western classical music, studying the violin for 15 years. A trip to Burkina Faso in her early twenties altered the course of her life. She discovered Mandingue music and a magical 21-string instrument—the kora. She began lessons, and traveled to Paris for a master class with kora legend Toumani Diabaté. When he invited her to study with him in Bamako, the decision was an easy one: she packed her bags and never looked back. 7 years of study allowed Sophie an immersion in the musical and cultural traditions of the kora. Though the instrument is primarily played by men born to griot families, Sophie is one of the few women in the world recognized as a kora player. She has collaborated with some of the best-known Malian musicians, including Habib Koité, who is also featured on her debut album.   One may wonder if its possible to find an artistic voice with an instrument that is so strongly rooted in its traditional repertoire and culture? The answer is a resounding yes. With a unique approach to using the kora, Sophie creates music between folk and singer-songwriter, while also paying homage to the kora's roots with her choice of instrumentation on her album. Her melodies and stories she shares are what take center stage, which she sings in English, French, Bambara and Hungarian.