| About
Okotécho guides the listener into a sonic world brimming with hope, aspiration, and lyricism found in the exceptional interlude between the Middle East, Arboriginal and the West. Under the artistic direction of composer Katia Makdissi-Warren, Okotécho explores mixed music and musical sounds through its own compositions.
Tawhida Tanya Evanson
Sufi Whirling dervish
Presentation
Tawhida Tanya Evanson is a multidisciplinary artist who embodies the essence of poetry in its diverse forms. She stands out as an accomplished writer, performer, and semazen (Sufi whirling dervish). For over 20 years, she has devoted herself to the study of her art under the tutelage of the Turkish master, Sheikh Rifa'i-Marufi Sherif Baba Çatalkaya, and the Canadian Raqib Brian Burke, an expert in Sema. Since 2002, Tawhida has been sharing the enchantment of Sema with audiences worldwide, spanning from North America to Europe and even Turkey. Her career has also taken her to Japan, India, and Kazakhstan, where she has collaborated with various organizations, including the Vancouver Rumi Society, Rumi Canada, and esteemed musical groups such as Mercan Dede (Turkey) and Niyaz (Iran-United States). Through these performances and artistic explorations, Tawhida transcends cultural boundaries, offering a unique experience of poetry and spirituality. She has been collaborating with Oktoecho since 2015.